Qantas to Grow A380 Fleet and Launch Melbourne-London A380 Services

[aus_flyer]

More aircraft, new services...

Qantas announced today it had taken delivery of its fifth new A380 aircraft, with a sixth to arrive in coming days, and would commence A380 services between Melbourne and London via Singapore on 18 January, 2010.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said the arrival of the airline’s fifth A380 yesterday, and sixth aircraft in the New Year, would allow it to launch the new A380 route.

“Qantas’ inaugural A380 service in October 2008 was between Melbourne and Los Angeles,” Mr Joyce said.

“With the arrival of two new aircraft, growing our A380 fleet to six, we are pleased to be able to offer customers a second route option out of Melbourne – to London via Singapore.”

From 18 January, the A380 will operate one to two flights per week on the route (QF9 on Mondays and Sundays and the return QF10 on Fridays and Saturdays), with regular twice-weekly flights to commence on 29 March.

The fifth Qantas A380 is named Lawrence Hargrave, after the inventor of the box kite. The airline’s sixth A380, is named Charles Kingsford-Smith, after Australia’s most famous aviator who made the first trans-Pacific flight from the USA to Australia in 1928. Both will enter service in January.

Mr Joyce said that, with a six-strong fleet, Qantas’ A380 schedule from 29 March would be:
- Sydney-Los Angeles services – daily services (currently four per week);
- Sydney-Singapore-London – five services per week;
- Melbourne-Los Angeles – three services per week (currently two per week); and
- Melbourne-Singapore-London – two services per week.

“More than 500,000 people have now flown on Qantas A380 services, and it remains extremely popular with our customers,” he said.

“The arrival of these new, state-of-the aircraft, with their cabins designed by Marc Newson, will see Qantas serving both the UK and Los Angeles with A380 flights from Melbourne and Sydney.”

Lawrence Hargrave (1850-1915) was one of aviation’s most important inventors and innovators. He came to Australia from England in 1872 and is best remembered as the inventor of the box kite in 1894. His aviation insights were wide-ranging, including the curved wing and the radial rotary engine.

Charles Kingsford-Smith (1897-1935) is considered to have pioneered more long distance routes than any pilot in history. He made the first trans-Pacific flight from the United States to Australia in 1928, as well as the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flight between Australia and New Zealand, and the first from Australia across the Pacific to the United States in 1934.

Does anyone know expected delivery dates for remaining A380 orders?

 

[serfty]

More aircraft, new services...

Does anyone know expected delivery dates for remaining A380 orders?

This web site seems to be kept well up to daye:

A380 production list - Planes

According to that, the next two, OQG and OQH have flown, but are now in storage until later next year.

I believe Qantas could have had all 8 operational this year if they had not deferred delivery of these.

 

[markis10]

More aircraft, new services...

Does anyone know expected delivery dates for remaining A380 orders?

http://plane.spottingworld.com/A380_production_list

MSN047 Charles Ulm 2010-Q4
MSN050 Reginald Ansett 2010-Q4
MSN055 David Warren 2010-Q4
MSN062 Bert Hinkler 2011-Q1
MSN063 John/Reginald Duigen 2011
MSN074 Phyllis Arnott Qantas 2011
MSN115 Keith and Ross Smith 2011

 

[djfuzz]

When are they going to start flying A380s through HKG and on to LHR? Seems like SIN is becoming an A380 hub.

 

[mvjs]

Fantastic! Saves going via Sydney when wanting the A380 all the way to London.

 

[Maca44]

I have two flights to the USA later in the year, one F and the other J, so I wonder if they will have enough A380 to service SYD-LAX by then. Not that I care because the 747 will do me just fine, but would be nice to fly the big one some day.

 

[Blackadder]

Macca, if you takes the QF 11/QF 12 to/from LAX, that should give you the A380.
Assuming the QF 107/108 to/from LAX and JFK will remain as is.

 

[Maca44]

Macca, if you takes the QF 11/QF 12 to/from LAX, that should give you the A380.
Assuming the QF 107/108 to/from LAX and JFK will remain as is.

Yes, you are correct. Check My Trip for my date in August is showing QF11 as an A380.

Now I have a question for those that have flown F on the A380. I had already selected 3A as the original flight was a 747 and I prefer that seat because of the distance from the neighbouring seat. So, on a A380 which is the preferred seat in F of those that have flown it, and why?

Edit: after doing some research it would appear seat 3A on the A380 will do me (as if I should complain in any event), but as you are aware the F cabins on both are a completely different configuration and 3A (on A380) looks to be in the middle; away from toilets and gallery noise.

 

[straitman]

Maca44,

Oh to have such a decision to make :!:

 

[Alanslegal]

I have two flights to the USA later in the year,

Hey Maca44, it's still year 2009

 

[jamesatfish]

Now I have a question for those that have flown F on the A380. I had already selected 3A as the original flight was a 747 and I prefer that seat because of the distance from the neighbouring seat. So, on a A380 which is the preferred seat in F of those that have flown it, and why?

As you've noted, the F cabin in the 380 is much more evenly spaced than in the 744, so each seat is equidistant from the others. I'd suggest one of the A seats as you're only sharing an aisle with 4 other passengers, whereas F and K share a common aisle. 5A isn't quite as good given the position of the galley to the right of the seat but they're all very enjoyable!

I quite enjoyed 1A on my last flight as for about 30 minutes pre-takeoff the door to the coughpit was open so I got to take a good look at what goes on in there without loitering near the door and otherwise looking suspicious.

 

[straitman]

Hey Maca44, it's still year 2009

He is certainly going to be busy getting them both in in the next 9 days :!:

 

[markis10]

Hey Maca44, it's still year 2009

Not in all states

 

[Harpoon]

This is good news. I have enough FF points for First Class MEL-LHR finally, and i would much rather do it on the A380!!

 

[Evan]

When are they going to start flying A380s through HKG and on to LHR? Seems like SIN is becoming an A380 hub.

Right now there is not even F on those routes from some cities so until that re-starts i doubt an A380's for a while.

 

[gilby08]

This is good news. I have enough FF points for First Class MEL-LHR finally, and i would much rather do it on the A380!!

A bit OT, but what is a very cheap and easy way to get alot of FF points?!

I've thought of something but it is a little dodegy; Buy J class tickets on QF, using my earth card, then when those "double" points have been credited, organise a refund??

 

[mvjs]

A bit OT, but what is a very cheap and easy way to get alot of FF points?!

I've thought of something but it is a little dodegy; Buy J class tickets on QF, using my earth card, then when those "double" points have been credited, organise a refund??

When one processes a refund on their Westpac Altitude card, the points are deducted from your balance. Not sure how it works with direct earn cards.

 

[Spizz]

I am going to LAX in Sep next year from MEL on QF93 on a Friday. However it is not an A380 flight. Hopefully though, with Qantas adding on another A380 from Melbourne it will become one for Fridays

 

[serfty]

Well yesterday Qantas subbed a 744 for the 388 I was to be flying in Jan back to MEL. Gone was my 80K seat, replaced with 53A. :shock: I have now moved to a more palatable 52D - very little choice other than paid exit seats.

The flight is showing zeroes in all fare buckets, so as a WP I don't think I'll be actually travelling in the WHY cabin.

FWIW, QF26 is no longer operating that day.

To bring this OnT, it appears my original 388 is doing QF9 instead ...

 

[Maca44]

He is certainly going to be busy getting them both in in the next 9 days :!:

I should have put August 2010, but I think most got the drift. Yes, it is a hard decision but have been saving the ff points for some time, so may as well enjoy them before they enhance the program again.