QF A380 back in service from January 11

[Andrew Curran]

The SMH is reporting this afternoon the QF A380 will return to service on Jan 11, 2022, operating three times a week SYD - LAX.

The same report says there is a 787 pilot shortage owing to quarantine rules, so the A380 crews will relieve a pressure point there.

Daily 787 SYD - LAX services replaced by the three A380 services.

MEL - LHR and MEL - LAX 787 flights also trimmed by one each week respectively.

Qantas returns flagship A380 to service earlier to ease pressure on 787 pilots

The need for Boeing 787 pilots in Queensland to isolate for 14 days after each international service has put pressure on crewing.

www.smh.com.au

 

[jb747]

Nice to see it back, but I wonder about the crewing situation there too. I guess nobody from Qld will be flying it.

 

[pippen_2k]

Nice to see it back, but I wonder about the crewing situation there too. I guess nobody from Qld will be flying it.

It’s only for a couple of weeks until they hit 90%

 

[jb747]

It’s only for a couple of weeks until they hit 90%

Did someone from Qld promise that...?

 

[pippen_2k]

Did someone from Qld promise that...?

possibly

 

[NSun]

I am booked on QF11 on January 11. My booking is still showing a 787 at this stage but it'd be something special to be on the first A380 flight since 2020.

 

[NSun]

OK my booking has now changed to an A380. However the seat map is currently showing as non-refurbished in that I've been given 25J which if it was refurbished would be in business. Y+ on the new A380 starts at row 31.

I knew VH-OQB came back un-refurbished but I thought it was going to be done back in Australia before re-entering service. If I can get upgraded to J then of course I'd want a refurbished bird but if I'm still in Y+ then I much prefer old Y+ seats because I found the foot-rests on the new ones far less comfortable because at 5'9 I have to "stretch" to reach then whereas for the old ones they're built into the seats.

 

[TheInsider]

OK my booking has now changed to an A380. However the seat map is currently showing as non-refurbished in that I've been given 25J which if it was refurbished would be in business. Y+ on the new A380 starts at row 31.

I knew VH-OQB came back un-refurbished but I thought it was going to be done back in Australia before re-entering service. If I can get upgraded to J then of course I'd want a refurbished bird but if I'm still in Y+ then I much prefer old Y+ seats because I found the foot-rests on the new ones far less comfortable because at 5'9 I have to "stretch" to reach then whereas for the old ones they're built into the seats.

It ain't getting refurbed in Australia sadly. Will most likely be AUH.

 

[jb747]

It ain't getting refurbed in Australia sadly. Will most likely be AUH.

I thought the major checks were being done at AUH, with the refurb in Dresden. I wouldn't expect that to change. They won't start the services with just one aircraft, so I'd expect to see a couple more come back soon.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Dunno - looking at the timetable the forward schedule of the A80 hasn't been published, but the flight times might indicate the A80 will be operating Tue/Thu/Sat. This will be a pain as it will be the second cancellation in a row of my QF flights to the USA. Hope I'm wrong!

 

[Franky]

I am booked on QF11 on January 11. My booking is still showing a 787 at this stage but it'd be something special to be on the first A380 flight since 2020.

 

[bam71]

I note QF11 SYD LAX 11 Jan is not showing ant first class, seems only economy, premium Y and business class is only being offered.

 

[DC3]

I note QF11 SYD LAX 11 Jan is not showing ant first class, seems only economy, premium Y and business class is only being offered.

As reported on OMAAT: Qantas Bringing Back Airbus A380 In January 2022

“… initially Qantas won’t be selling first class on the A380, but rather will be seating top tier elite members booked in business class there, and then they’ll just receive the standard business class service …”

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I note QF11 SYD LAX 11 Jan is not showing ant first class, seems only economy, premium Y and business class is only being offered.

Yes - F not being offered until later. Seems top tiers will be seated in the F cabin, with business class service.

 

[RichardMEL]

Makes sense. Means a swap can happen at short notice and only the people placed in the F suites are probably going to be unhappy if it turns into a 787, and if a 787 is upped to a 380 then some P1's/CL and maybe some WP's get a nice surprise.

I'm sure they'd love to sell F, but there's probably way too much uncertainty at this point.

 

[aus_flyer]

For Qantas' first A380 flights to LA starting next week, the seat maps show the old seating config in J.

It's only when QF is selling F in a few months time that the new seat map shows.

I thought QF was only using A380s that had been refurbed.

Strange.

 

[dylarr]

4 of the 6 refurbished aircraft are still in storage at Victorville. 2 are at LAX and I’d expect will probably re-enter service at some stage in the near future.

The A380 currently in SYD (VH-OQB) has not had its interior refurbishment. It returned from Dresden after landing gear replacement only. So there will be at least one in rotation that hasn’t been refurbished.

 

[serfty]

I also suspect looking at loadings for next week that rows 1-5 may become crew rest ...

There was some suggestion Higher status flyers may get access to the First seating with Business service but I suspect Qantas may prefer not to use the lower forward cabin at all if sales are low enough.

 

[aus_flyer]

I also suspect looking at loadings for next week that rows 1-5 may become crew rest ...

There was some suggestion Higher status flyers may get access to the First seating with Business service but I suspect Qantas may prefer not to use the lower forward cabin at all if sales are low enough.

Why would they need to use it as crew rest?

 

[MrJetset]

QF confirmed to David Flynn and AusBT that the F cabin will be used for ‘higher tiered status members’ which he interpreted as WP and P1.

It is not available to pre select, rather when it comes under airport control.