Which routes to the U.S. does Qantas use the A380 on currently?

[RSD]

Desperate to avoid Y on the 787! Can fly from anywhere east coast of Oz to anywhere in the U.S. for this trip - eventual destination is Salt Lake City but might try to fit in a cheap status run on AA or AS while I am there.

 

[Mattg]

Desperate to avoid Y on the 787! Can fly from anywhere east coast of Oz to anywhere in the U.S. for this trip - eventual destination is Salt Lake City but might try to fit in a cheap status run on AA or AS while I am there.

The only US routes that Qantas is currently using the A380 on are SYD-LAX (QF11/12) and MEL-LAX (QF93/94).

BNE-LAX (QF15/16) is always an A330-200 at the moment, which might also be a decent option if you want to avoid the 787. In fact, BNE-LAX is perhaps the safest option because that route is less prone to an aircraft swap to the 787.

 

[RSD]

The only US routes that Qantas is currently using the A380 on are SYD-LAX (QF11/12) and MEL-LAX (QF93/94).

BNE-LAX (QF15/16) is always an A330-200 at the moment, which might also be a decent option if you want to avoid the 787. In fact, BNE-LAX is perhaps the safest option because that route is less prone to an aircraft swap to the 787.

Many thanks @Mattg - looks like the glory days of the A380 to the U.S. are gone unfortunately - they really need those extra two A380's that were scrapped! I presume they must really need the A380 on the JNB route to be tying them up there?

 

[RichardMEL]

You could also look to FJ flying A350 to LAX via NAN(though some connections would be on 737 MAX which you may also want to avoid). AA seem to swap 787 and 777 on a seasonal basis at times. CX tend to fly a mix of 777/350 via HKG to the US. That's about it for OW partners iirc

 

[RSD]

You could also look to FJ flying A350 to LAX via NAN(though some connections would be on 737 MAX which you may also want to avoid). AA seem to swap 787 and 777 on a seasonal basis at times. CX tend to fly a mix of 777/350 via HKG to the US. That's about it for OW partners iirc

True, but I intend to convert one of my Blackall to Longreach DSC bookings across to this trip probably all the more reason to take the A330 out of Brisvegas like Mattg said - extra DSC's travelling up the east coast to Brisvegas.

I'm guessing the A330's interior hasn't been updated for a long time? (if ever)

 

[Mattg]

Many thanks @Mattg - looks like the glory days of the A380 to the U.S. are gone unfortunately - they really need those extra two A380's that were scrapped! I presume they must really need the A380 on the JNB route to be tying them up there?

They currently have several A380s out of service as well, in maintenance etc. Because of this JNB won't actually get the A380 until several months later than planned (was early July, now October 2024).

True, but I intend to convert one of my Blackall to Longreach DSC bookings across to this trip probably all the more reason to take the A330 out of Brisvegas like Mattg said - extra DSC's travelling up the east coast to Brisvegas.

I'm guessing the A330's interior hasn't been updated for a long time? (if ever)

The A330s were last upgraded around a decade ago. There is another refresh coming in the next couple of years. But I would still pick the A330 over the 787 for the 2-4-2 layout in Y.

 

[RSD]

They currently have several A380s out of service as well, in maintenance etc. Because of this JNB won't actually get the A380 until several months later than planned (was early July, now October 2024).



The A330s were last upgraded around a decade ago. There is another refresh coming in the next couple of years. But I would still pick the A330 over the 787 for the 2-4-2 layout in Y.

Totally agree - the 787 layout in Y is just horrible - only ever made that mistake once!

Is there actually a need for the A380's on the JNB route? I would have thought that they would be better used doing say QF7/8 to DFW like they used to, or more A380 services into LAX.

 

[Brentendo]

LAX / MEL can't always be on an A380 as I am currently booked for Feb and it's on a Dreamliner - for now at least.

 

[RSD]

View attachment 381963

LAX / MEL can't always be on an A380 as I am currently booked for Feb and it's on a Dreamliner - for now at least.

At least you won't be in the horrible 787 Y class - the plane is probably OK - its just the really cramped Y class that is the problem!

 

[RooFlyer]

They currently have several A380s out of service as well, in maintenance etc. Because of this JNB won't actually get the A380 until several months later than planned (was early July, now October 2024).

As I found to my annoyance - travelling in August.

 

[RSD]

As I found to my annoyance - travelling in August.

Damn!

 

[elanshin]

Many thanks @Mattg - looks like the glory days of the A380 to the U.S. are gone unfortunately - they really need those extra two A380's that were scrapped! I presume they must really need the A380 on the JNB route to be tying them up there?

It's mainly because they only have 6 out of the 10 A380s in service atm. 4 of then are parked at AUH for maintenance.

I'd imagine with all 10 we'd see
QF1/2 SYD - SIN - LHR
QF11/12 SYD - LAX
QF95/96 MEL - LAX
QF63/64 SYD - JNB
QF127/128 SYD - HKG
And possibly sometimes
Qf35/36 MEL - SIN

Right now only the first 2 are regular daily with MEL - LAX sometimes on the 380.

I suspect we won't see QF7/8 returned as the 787 is a bit more efficient at the route without needing the plane full of 300+ people like the 380.

I suspect part of the rejigging with US is likely due lower US tourism travel. Our dollar isn't great vs USD and economics is poor. So travelling closer (Asia) where its a lot cheaper both flight and accommodation may be whats happening more in outbound tourism.

 

[RSD]

It's mainly because they only have 6 out of the 10 A380s in service atm. 4 of then are parked at AUH for maintenance.

I'd imagine with all 10 we'd see
QF1/2 SYD - SIN - LHR
QF11/12 SYD - LAX
QF95/96 MEL - LAX
QF63/64 SYD - JNB
QF127/128 SYD - HKG
And possibly sometimes
Qf35/36 MEL - SIN

Right now only the first 2 are regular daily with MEL - LAX sometimes on the 380.

I suspect we won't see QF7/8 returned as the 787 is a bit more efficient at the route without needing the plane full of 300+ people like the 380.

I suspect part of the rejigging with US is likely due lower US tourism travel. Our dollar isn't great vs USD and economics is poor. So travelling closer (Asia) where its a lot cheaper both flight and accommodation may be whats happening more in outbound tourism.

Good analysis @elanshin - I guess with our dollar the way it is currently it depends on how much inbound tourism they are getting onboard.

Anyone know why 4/10 A380's are at AUH all at the same time for maintenance? 40% of the fleet there for maintenance seems excessive?

 

[RooFlyer]

Anyone know why 4/10 A380's are at AUH all at the same time for maintenance? 40% of the fleet there for maintenance seems excessive?

See this thread.

Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates.

Click HERE to view an article on this topic collaboratively compiled by our members using the (now retired) Wiki. With the announcement of the plan to refurbish the A380 and update the lounge area, that it would be a good idea to keep track of the plans and rumors and monitor activity's and...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[elanshin]

Good analysis @elanshin - I guess with our dollar the way it is currently it depends on how much inbound tourism they are getting onboard.

Anyone know why 4/10 A380's are at AUH all at the same time for maintenance? 40% of the fleet there for maintenance seems excessive?

I believe
OQC is still there being taken iut if deep storage refurbishment (from covid times)
OQL is going in for cabin refurbishment (the only old config that flew post covid).
The other 2 are likely more routine maintenance during the current offpeak.

 

[Larko1]

True, but I intend to convert one of my Blackall to Longreach DSC bookings across to this trip probably all the more reason to take the A330 out of Brisvegas like Mattg said - extra DSC's travelling up the east coast to Brisvegas.

I'm guessing the A330's interior hasn't been updated for a long time? (if ever)

QF15/16 now a mix of A330 & B789 from

26 Apr 2024

Brisbane (BNE)

Los Angeles (LAX)

B789 (VH-ZNJ)

12:18

22:00

00:02

18:05

Landed 19:20

26 Apr 2024

Los Angeles (LAX)

Brisbane (BNE)

B789 (VH-ZNN)

—

22:00

—

05:00

Estimated departure 22:23

 

[moa999]

have thought that they would be better used doing say QF7/8 to DFW like they used to, or more A380 services into LAX.

Think DFW-SYD was always marginal on the return, so the 787 is more profitable with full loads. Plus with the JFK-AKL-SYD service which pulls of load from New York that used to go via Dallas.

And Qantas now has a few more 787s than it did pre-Covid

 

[Himeno]

You could also go via Tokyo on JAL.
JAL's international 787s have 8 across in economy, thus wider seats then every other airline using 787s. (The only 787s JAL has with 9 across are the 4 788 "E21" domestic config aircraft and the 788s JAL has leased to their low cost carrier Zipair)

 

[Himeno]

Totally agree - the 787 layout in Y is just horrible.

It's because Boeing designed it for 8 across and made their default recommended config with 8 across.
JAL and ANA both fitted out their 787s in that way when they first got them. Then United came along and wanted to cram more seats in, so made the seats narrower with narrower aisles then the design intended.

Since then, every other airline followed United and went with 9 across and ANA later refit theirs to 9 across.
The 787 cabin width is 23cms bigger then the A330. Boeing marketed it as allowing wider seats and a better passenger experience compared to the A330 (which would then, in theory, lead to increased demand for the type and more likelihood of selling all the seats, even if the airline charged extra for a wider seat).
Instead, the airlines saw it as a chance to squeeze in an extra seat per row.

 

[RichardMEL]

If you want worse, try the UA donestic 777's with 10 across in Y (and EIGHT across in J)