Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

Ansett · Mar 27, 2018

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 refurbish schedule, pretty much as was done with the A330.

So to get the thread started recently spoke with senior managers during the launch of the QF10 out of London and it was confirmed that the plan is to remove the current staff only area and to reduce the size of the stairs, currently being worked out by QF and AB, this would then allow them to install tables and seating but no bar other than a small self serve similar to what is currently available.

Please feel free to add any other insights and or rumors.

Melburnian1 · Mar 27, 2018

Way back in history the Qantas B747s (probably before it was privatised) had a roomy area with couches around the windows, sort of like a parlour car or observation car design at the back of some famous trains.

This however didn't last long.

Do you perceive this new area will be better used?

Daver6 · Mar 27, 2018

Why not use the area for a couple of extra toilets...that would be useful.

moa999 · Mar 27, 2018

The first aircraft for repaint went to DXB this week (VH-OQF).

But refurb won't commence until 2019.

QF had previously released a single render showing a revised couch, but not much else.

Qantas to upgrade A380 business class seats to new Business Suites

The flagged A380Plus reportedly had options for a more modest staircase.

Not sure if narrowing the staircase would be easy, but if you removed the CSM station and replaced it with an expanded bar and stools and put in half height rather than full height walls around the stairs that would certainly make the area appear more spacious.

I'm sure we will hear more announcements from Qantas over 2018
(I just hope it also includes something about F, a refresh doesn't cut it imho)

Ansett · Mar 27, 2018

moa999 said:
The first aircraft for repaint went to DXB this week (VH-OQF).

(I just hope it also includes something about F, a refresh doesn't cut it imho)

On that matter the refresh according to a source will be just the refresh as indicated however there is a review currently underway to look at the F service and the perceived lack of differentiation between J and F Food, other than wine, that should see a major improvement, the word lobster was used.

kermatu · Mar 27, 2018

Ansett said:
On that matter the refresh according to a source will be just the refresh as indicated however there is a review currently underway to look at the F service and the perceived lack of differentiation between J and F Food, other than wine, that should see a major improvement, the word lobster was used.

Somewhat good to hear. Does not need to wait for any refresh though.

Ansett · Mar 27, 2018

kermatu said:
Somewhat good to hear. Does not need to wait for any refresh though.

It seems that a lot have raised concern on the poor differentiation of QF F Food especially compared to EK F Food offerings. I also discussed the issue of other airlines offering more premium spirits in F than QF. There was little response on that but expect that there may be some changes there too.

rock86 · Mar 27, 2018

Can I ask a silly question, it seems as though the QF timetable for refurbing a few A380's is fairly long compared to other airlines?

Forg · Mar 27, 2018

The talk about F is interesting ... haven’t Qantas called the Perth-London service the “Kangaroo Route”, their blue-ribbon flagship route, and don’t those 787’s have no first class?

So the refurb’d A380’s will actually have a First?

moa999 · Mar 28, 2018

rock86 said:
Can I ask a silly question

What was the question?
QF has a habit of pre-announcig ideas well before they get anywhere near production (eg the business suite took almost 2 years from first announcement)
I also expect the actual install timeframe is lined up with a major check given the amount of work that goes into seat refit.
Other airlines tend to announce much closer to actual product launch, but I suspect the actual development timetable is similar

Forg said:
So the refurb’d A380’s will actually have a First

Based on the article linked above, First will remain with a small refresh

codash1099 · Apr 11, 2018

Some further indications here:

Airbus launches new Cabin-Flex option for A380 with Qantas

eastwest101 · Apr 11, 2018

So the only real question is whether they will go for the additional 7 J class seats or an additional 11 PE seats. If they are removing the few rows of Y class from the back of the upper deck, then maybe they will just keep the upper deck PE section the same size and just move it backwards and give themselves more J class seat on the upper deck?

Flying Fox · Apr 11, 2018

codash1099 said:
Some further indications here:

Airbus launches new Cabin-Flex option for A380 with Qantas

Some additional information -

Qantas to fit more seats on its Airbus A380 by blocking two exit doors

QF to gain 25 W at the cost of 30 Y seats.

J to be changed to A330 & B787 style seats.

serfty · Apr 11, 2018

Well I hope they don't install the new 789 PE type seats where most can't use the tray table and the seat belt at the same time.

Forg · Apr 11, 2018

serfty said:
Well I hope they don't install the new 789 PE type seats where most can't use the tray table and the seat belt at the same time.

View attachment 122776

That article says they're installing the same seats as the Dreamliner, and Qantas only has 789's (no 788's) don't they?

1500,1500-5acd4fa6b8284d81aab801cadd799463-qantas-a380-upgrade.jpg

Also, that small upstairs economy cabin is gone.

Danger · Apr 11, 2018

serfty said:
Well I hope they don't install the new 789 PE type seats where most can't use the tray table and the seat belt at the same time.

View attachment 122776

That's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Ansett · Apr 11, 2018

I mean seriously I know its OT but why the hell do you need an airbag in an aircraft seat for crying out loud. Surely these must represent an maintenance cost and what happens of they fail to go off or go off prematurely?

Ansett · Apr 11, 2018

Given that there is an existing door that, Ok will be locked some how, how do you fit a seat there and wow no real window would be disappointing for many. I am intrigued on the working of this proposal.

Flying Fox · Apr 11, 2018

First QF A380 repainted in DXB

First Qantas Airbus A380 repainted in new livery | Australian Aviation

Looks good but I would prefer the QANTAS lettering to be larger and more bold.

Operating as QF6012, the Qantas A380 VH-OQF landed in Sydney a little after 0700 on Wednesday morning, following its 14-hour journey from Dubai.

I wonder why she wasn't flown back as QF revenue flight instead of being an empty aircraft?

MEL_Traveller · Apr 11, 2018

Ansett said:
Given that there is an existing door that, Ok will be locked some how, how do you fit a seat there and wow no real window would be disappointing for many. I am intrigued on the working of this proposal.

Depends how they do it. One possibility is that they'll replace the entire inner panel of the cabin so from the inside there's no mistake as to the potential for exit.

Blocking off exit doors is not uncommon. The B747-200 had such an option and a couple of carriers utilised it, but fairly easy when you had a standard sized window in the door. Which is not the case on the A380.

Personally I don't approve. It will affect safety.

Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

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