QANTAS A.380

[Dennis McLean]

VH OQA is due to depart SYD at 2.40pm today as QFA 6011 ferry flight to AUH. Is this the first 380 to have the cabin alterations and is it being done at AUH or going onto Toulouse???

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQA arrived back in SYD from AUH during the afternoon of 7 March, 2019 as QF6012 and returned to service 2 days later. I'm not sure if the cabin alterations were done during the 42 days it was in AUH but assume so, as AUH has not been previously used by QANTAS for maintenance or repainting.

Has anyone flown in OQA since its return to confirm? I presume that QANTAS will not promote the new interior until a few more A380s have had it installed.

On Friday 15 March, 2019 VH-OQC flew from SYD to AUH for maintenance as QF6011 and if it takes the same time period as OQA wont be back until the last week of April.

[Rowan McKeever]

I haven’t seen the aircraft nor any official documentation, but it has been said many times in many different places online that OQA was only undergoing heavy maintenance in AUH and that the first batch of cabins will be done in TLS.

[MarkR]

A seat map would normally be out if there had been a change.

[James Smith]

Thanks for clearing that up, Rowan. We'll await further news.

[James Smith]

More information from the QANTAS News Release of 25 August, 2017 on the A380 cabin refurbishment:

Work on the first A380 is expected to begin in the second quarter of calendar year 2019. All 12 aircraft will be upgraded by the end of 2020. The design integration will be managed by Airbus.

[James Smith]

VH-OQC returned to SYD this afternoon as QF6010 after maintenance in AUH.

[Dennis McLean]

I see that QANTAS is operating QF5 SYD/SIN/LHR on 26 May with A.380 aircraft 22.30/16.20, a stopover in SIN for 4.45 hrs. There is no return flight showing. So is the Aircraft ferrying to TLS for cabin conversion. I did read somewhere that this work may be done in Toulouse?????

[Fred C]

Dresden?

[Dennis McLean]

Hi Fred, Thanks. I did look at Airbus, Dresden and found there is quite a facility there doing freighter conversions and maintenance. Dennis

[MarkR]

I see that QANTAS is operating QF5 SYD/SIN/LHR on 26 May with A.380 aircraft 22.30/16.20, a stopover in SIN for 4.45 hrs. There is no return flight showing. So is the Aircraft ferrying to TLS for cabin conversion. I did read somewhere that this work may be done in Toulouse?????

I think you will find it heading to AUH for maint, the overhauls in Dresden we’re now expected to start in July according to then CEO of International Alison Webster in Feb.

[Dennis McLean]

thanks Mark.

[James Smith]

The flight referred to by Dennis looks to be a special flight using the old Frankfurt QF5 flight number but going to Heathrow. As it is posted in the QANTAS timetable, and I presume bookable, where it goes after that is a mystery if the cabin conversions don't start until July. Leaving at 22:30 from Sydney there must be a late one off slot time at Heathrow plus curfew in Sydney to spend nearly 5 hours in Singapore.

There is no reciprocal special flight from Heathrow back to Sydney up to mid August, according to the timetable. If the conversions are being done in Dresden it is a quandary that they are using a flight number that was previously used to fly to Germany. It may just be a coincidence as the QF5/6 flight number has been unused for some years. Maybe it is a one way charter to London coupled with repositioning to Dresden and will return to Sydney empty.

We shall all be watching where it flies to on Monday 27 May, 2019 from Heathrow.

[Dennis McLean]

I have noticed that A.380, VH-OQJ is due to ferry from SYD to PUS as QF6021 at 12.50pm today arriving at 21.43. Anyone know what it is doing in Pusan??

[Dave C]

Painting

[Zac M]

OQE will ops an additional SYD-SIN-LHR on May 28 followed by a positioning flight to DRS presumably for reconfigurations

[C Patters]

Hopefully OQE is also getting a repaint soon as she's looking a bit tired!

[Rowan McKeever]

The work in DRS is cabins, definitely not paint. DRS has been well documented (albeit with some disagreement over the location - various iterations of TLS, HAM and DRS), and a post on another forum last week points to a media release from the FBO in the Philippines about painting a number of A380s for QF, starting this month.

[James Smith]

A380 OQJ left on 8 May for Pusan, South Korea where it is being repainted. I'm not aware of where the final A380s (E, H, I) will be repainted.

[NathanJ]

The last 3 will also visit Pusan...

"During our visit a Korean Air 777-200 was well into its nine-day repainting process. And on the team’s long "to do" list is a major contract inked with Qantas Airways to repaint four of its A380s between May 2019 and November 2020."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/10/17/korean-air-tech-center-engine-test-cell/1658500002/

[James Smith]

Thanks Nathan for posting the link to the USA Today article. A great find which confirms the notion that interesting snippets of aviation information can be found in all sorts of worldwide publications.

I have put two and two together and wonder if the aircraft operating the QANTAS A380 one off frequent flyers flight from MEL to NRT on 21 October, 2019 will then position to Pusan/Busan, South Korea (PUS) for repainting? It looks to be less than a two hour flight. Taking passengers on the outbound flight also seems to be the method of getting the first A380 to Dresden ex SYD via LHR on 26 May, 2019.

I presume that the return flight from PUS to AUS will be operated empty as the precise date that the repainting will be completed cannot be determined to allow forward bookings.

[James Smith]

QANTAS operated the one off SYD to LHR via SIN QF5, A380 flight with VH-OQE departing SYD late on Sunday night. See posts 8 & 13 for further information.

After a late afternoon arrival in LHR on Monday the A380 departed at 19:33 for the 1 hour 36 minute flight to DRS where it will be the first QANTAS A380 to have its cabin refurbishment done.

Does anyone know how long the refurbishment is scheduled to take for each aircraft? The 2017 QANTAS Press Release said that the refurbishment would take until the end of 2020, which if done without much of a break between aircraft would be upwards of a month and a half for each one. Possibly work will be suspended during the December to March peak when QANTAS will use an A380 on QF127/128 to HKG, although the schedule could be operated with 11 aircraft.

[James Smith]

A one-time extension of the seasonal QANTAS QF17/18 service from LAX to MCO on 19 January, 2020 & return on 24 January, 2020. The A380 must re-position back to LAX after the outbound flight and onto MCO to operate the return flight five days later.

Qantas in last week’s schedule update filed one-time Airbus A380 service to Orlando, scheduled in January 2020. The one-time A380 charter flight is scheduled as Sydney – Los Angeles – Orlando routing. Planned schedule as follows.

QF017 SYD1025 – 0515LAX0730 – 1455MCO 388 19JAN20
QF018 MCO1800 – 2020LAX2235 – 0835+2SYD 388 24JAN20

Source: Routes Online

[David C]

A one-time extension of the seasonal QANTAS QF17/18 service from LAX to MCO on 19 January, 2020 & return on 24 January, 2020. The A380 must re-position back to LAX after the outbound flight and onto MCO to operate the return flight five days later.



Source: Routes Online

Is this another one off charter for a well known Pentecostal group , the likes of which Qantas has operated before ? .

Dave C

[Ben W]

I see OQA went tech at LAX last night and QF94 was cancelled. Interesting that they in turn cancelled QF93 back to LAX this morning and opted to turn OQF back around and head back to SIN. Must mean the load factor was higher to SIN than LAX today?

[James Smith]

There may have been greater flexibility and more options to transfer passengers to SYD to fly on QF11, or to BRI to fly on QF15 as there was plenty of notice to arrange this after QF94 was cancelled.

In addition, any further passengers could be transferred today to SYD to fly on QF73 to SFO and transfer to LAX or the later QF49 from MEL to SFO and transfer to LAX.

[Jamie D]

OQG has gone to DRS today as QF6005, OQE has yet to depart, is she due back in service?

[James Smith]

It looks as though OQE will re-position to LHR to replace OQG and operate QF2 which leaves Wednesday evening at 21:05. As the flight from DRS is just over 1:30 it should be leaving in the next hour or so.

That means that the first cabin refurbishment has taken about 16 days to complete. It is a pity that the first A380 to have the refurbishment is not in the new QANTAS livery. OQG is though.

[Adam W]

According to this article https://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-a380-refurbishment?itm_source=grid the first cabin refurbishment hasn't been done yet.

[James Smith]

Maybe the September date is when the cabin refurbishment will be officially introduced by QANTAS with a good number of the A380s having been converted. If introduced with only one A380 converted there will only be a one in twelve chance that you will fly on that particular aircraft.

Hopefully, we will have one of our Board members on board QF2 who can confirm. Otherwise I am sure there will be a Australian Business Traveller on board who will post on their site.

[MarkR]

Unusual for them to wait until a few are in the fleet to announce, this has not been the case for last refurbs.

[C Patters]

Looks like OQA is still stuck in LA clearly with a tech issue....no QF94 tonight as well

[James Smith]

I was looking at the LAX departure board online earlier to see if OQA was fixed and it had QF94 departing at a revised time of 10:00 the next day, Thursday (LA time), nearly 12 hours late. If the flight departs then it could turn around in MEL to arrive back in LAX at 18:00 to 19:00 Friday evening and return to SYD or MEL on time Friday night, LA time, arriving on Sunday morning. This scenario would depend on OQA being fixed and returning OQA to LAX from MEL on Friday. The joys of having two A380s off line at once in AUH and DRS.

[Rowan McKeever]

Maybe the September date is when the cabin refurbishment will be officially introduced by QANTAS with a good number of the A380s having been converted. If introduced with only one A380 converted there will only be a one in twelve chance that you will fly on that particular aircraft.

Hopefully, we will have one of our Board members on board QF2 who can confirm. Otherwise I am sure there will be a Australian Business Traveller on board who will post on their site.



OQE has NOT been refurbished. The first aircraft to be refurbished will not into go to DRS until next month. OQE was only over for maintenance.

Not to mention that article says the first aircraft goes in for refurbishment in July and won’t be in service until September... so clearly it’s going to take a LOT longer than 16 days.

[James Smith]

Thanks for the information, Rowan. Is it usual that QANTAS would have two of their twelve A380s in scheduled maintenance concurrently in different locations - AUH and DRS, with AUH having the more major work done? I thought that any work in DRS was for the cabin refurbishment.

Separately, OQA is still in LAX after 4 days with its technical issue. Overnight, LA time, QF12 (OQK) had an 11 hour delay leaving LAX and is due to arrive in SYD this afternoon around 17:00. The night before QF94 (OQF) had a 12 hour delay leaving LAX and is now on its way back there arriving in two hours. Hopefully, the Friday night A380 departures from LAX will be on time.

[Jamie D]

I read somewhere that OQA had been hit by a catering truck and has damage that needs replacement parts, has anyone else heard this?

[Ben W]

It's been 9 days since OQA has flown and it's still sitting at LAX. Whatever happened must of caused a decent amount of damage? Interesting that there isn't anything on qantassource about it or pretty much where for that matter!

[Brian Wilkes]

Flap damage.

[James Smith]

OQA is back in service operating QF94 from LAX on Saturday night. It is flying back to LAX as QF93 this morning and not onto SIN. It is running a bit behind schedule and is yet to depart.

[Dennis McLean]

OQK has finally arrived in Dresden for cabin refurbishment, ferrying in from LHR. It swapped with OQG on 16/7.

Does anyone know what is the problem with OQB which has been in AUH since 15 May??

[Greg Hyde]

From Qantas Source

QANTAS A380 VH-OQB Positions to Abu Dhabi Maintenance.

May 14, 2019

QANTAS A380 VH-OQB positioned Sydney – Abu Dhabi for maintenance this afternoon as QF6011.

[Dennis McLean]

Thanks for your answer Greg, but it is now 2 months 17 days since OQB arrived in AUH. That seems to be an awfully long time for "maintenance". ???

[MarkR]

Not if they are fixing the wing issues.

[Fred C]

This check is a large one. It is planned take around 100 days. This is just the planned time. If they find anything from the inspections it may well take longer. QF are the first to undertake this scheduled check. Singapore airlines chose to park theirs instead of completing the check.

[James Smith]

100 days would take the scheduled check up to 22 August, 2019 to fly home the next day.

[Ben W]

I see more LAX trouble for OQA. This time stuck there with nosewheel issues.

[James Smith]

Flightaware is showing OQB as having a nine minute flight out of Abu Dhabi yesterday but there was no movement of the aircraft recorded on the map so I presume that they just powered up the transponder for a few minutes from the hanger.

It looks as though her return to service would be welcome though with OQA out of service again.

[Ben W]

Qantas Source is saying OQD is also stuck at LAX with nose wheel issues! So two A380's with nose wheel issues at the same time. What is going on over there? Also reported on the news that there are 400 people that have been stranded at LAX for several days.

[Greg Hyde]

Air France will be "retiring" all A380's from their fleet by 2022.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelgoldstein/2019/08/05/air-france-latest-airline-to-bid-airbus-a380-adieu/#414a10d424a5

[James Smith]

OQA has just departed LAX as QF94 for MEL.

OQD operated Sunday's QF11 from SYD to LAX and would have been due back this morning, if the flight had not been cancelled. OQJ is operating QF12 due in tomorrow morning which is on time.

QF8 has also had some delays with tomorrow's arrival in SYD on time (OQI) with yesterday's flight operating as QF8D (OQG) about an hour behind.

[James Smith]

OQD is back in service operating QF12 from LAX due in SYD tomorrow, Thursday morning.

[Dennis McLean]

Got the word today OQB likely to swap with another 380 this weekend in AUH.

[James Smith]

OQB has done a 4.5 hour test flight as a series of figure eights north west of AUH overnight which is in readiness to return to SYD.

[James Smith]

OQB is just airborne out of AUH on its return to SYD after maintenance as QF6010. It is due to arrive around midday tomorrow, Saturday.

[Dennis McLean]

OQB arrived in SYD from AUH yesterday at 11.57am and at 16.27 departed for SIN/LHR on QF1.
OQF departed SYD for AUH at 21.07 yesterday as QF6011, due to arrive in just over 1 hour.

[James Smith]

Is OQF having a long maintenance 100 day check in AUH similar to what OQB has just had?

[Fred C]

No. It is there for a much smaller maint event. 3 to 4 weeks.

[James Smith]

Thanks Fred. I was thinking that it would be into December before OQF returned to SYD, if undertaking the 100 day maintenance and would be needed for HKG services from 4/12/19.

[Dennis McLean]

OQF arrived back in SYD from AUH at 11.07am this morning. Wonder if another one will go to AUH tonight?????

[Christopher Campbell]

VH-OQI is off to AUH as QF6011

[MarkR]

OQK is due back next week with a new cabin ex DRS after a two month stay

[James Smith]

Shown below is a link to an article in Executive Traveller which contains the schedule for OQK in the first week after it commences operations following its cabin refurbishment. The first service will be QF2 from LHR - SYD leaving on Monday 30/9/19 and arriving early on 2/10/19:

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-first-upgraded-a380-begins-flying-next-week

The A380 that operates QF1 on Sunday 29/9/19 will probably re-position to DRS as the second aircraft to be refurbished.

[Dennis McLean]

Does anyone know the next one for DRS. These will be arriving in SYD on 29/9. OQB ex LHR, OQF ex LAX, OQG ex DFW, with OQH ex SIN and OQL ex LAX going to MEL. There is a possibility of course that F & L could swap in LAX with L coming to SYD.

[James Smith]

Dennis, I have been doing similar searches to find where the QANTAS A380 fleet is at present and which aircraft will be flying into SYD on Sunday morning, in order to narrow down the options for the aircraft operating QF1 tomorrow.

From your list, OQC is operating QF35 to SIN and will probably return to MEL tonight. It is possible that they could change aircraft between QF2 and QF36 in SIN with comparable timings but highly unlikely. OQH is about to depart for DFW so wont be back in SYD until Monday.

The arrivals on Sunday morning are therefore narrowed down to OQB operating QF2; OQG operating QF8 and either OQF or OQL operating QF12. This potential four will be reduced to three when we know the actual aircraft operating QF12 & QF94 early this evening.

So, unless someone within QANTAS lets us know we will have to wait until tomorrow to see which aircraft operates QF12 & QF7 to eliminate those from the list.

[Dennis McLean]

Hi James, just checked OQL is on QF12, so we are down to B or G or L. I will take a "wild" guess and say OQL.

[James Smith]

Well Dennis, it is an interesting quandry. OQB is only one month on from spending over three months in AUH and OQG has already been to DRS two months ago.

I agree with you that it will be OQL only because the other two have already had recent maintenance and it is the next registration on from OQK, but admit that it is a completely unfounded guess! I could be devils advocate and say that it will be OQB.

[Adam W]

OQL is scheduled to operate tomorrow’s QF1.

[Dennis McLean]

Thanks Adam

[Dennis McLean]

OQK ferried DRS/LHR as QF6006 on 30/9, 19.12/20.06 landed 1hr 33m ago. OQL still in LHR.

[James Smith]

OQK has departed LHR as QF2 about 2 hours late. OQL looks to be spending the night in LHR.

[Dennis McLean]

OQL now in DRS landed 20 minutes ago.

[James Smith]

I read in a media report that the QANTAS A380 refurbishment is going to take two months to complete for each aircraft and is due to be fully completed by the end of 2020. OQK, being the first aircraft to have the work done, took 80 days from leaving SYD to returning to SYD but could have had other maintenance work done as well while in DRS.

A further seven and a half aircraft will be able to be refurbished in the two month time cycle, excluding OQK, up to the end of 2020. To achieve the completion schedule QANTAS will need to have two aircraft in for refurbishment at the same time for up to eight months of the year.

The schedule is further impacted with another A380 being required from 4/12/19 to 28/3/20 to operate QF127/128 HKG services and a further one four days pw from 13/12/19 - 26/1/20 to operate the seasonal QF17/18 SYD - LAX - SYD service. QANTAS has also stated that the remaining three A380s to be painted in the silver roo livery will be done in 2020, which will take another six plus weeks. There could be maintenance requirements on top of this, although a number of the A380s have had varying periods of maintenance this year, one for over three months. None of these impacts are factored into my calculations which would increase the time for two aircraft to be refurbished simultaneously.

It will be a busy time for the QANTAS A380s up to the end of 2020.

[Ben W]

Off topic I know, but had my first ever touch and go in OQG Friday morning in Melbourne on QF94. Fairly decent crosswind that morning. Second attempt resulted in a quite heavy touchdown. Off topic but finally scored a touch and go after 500 flights over the last 20 years.

[James Smith]

Ben, was it a touch and go or a go around?

[Ben W]

Touch and go. The mains touched down for about 3 seconds and then they spooled back up and lifted off again.

[James Smith]

OQI returned to SYD overnight as QF6010 arrived at 6:46 following maintenance in AUH. No sign of a replacement as yet.

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas welcomes back first refurbished Airbus A380 into service

Qantas has welcomed back its first Airbus A380 featuring a refurbished cabin including new business class seats, a new lounge on the upper deck and more premium seating.

The A380 VH-OQK, which had been in Dresden, Germany since the middle of July, returned to service on September 30 when it operated the QF 2 from London Heathrow to Sydney via Singapore.

After arriving in Sydney on Wednesday morning, the aircraft was presented to media and invited guests in Hangar 96 at Qantas’s Mascot jet base.

In addition to new business seats that were similar to what was already on Qantas’s Airbus A330 and Boeing 787-9 fleet, the reconfigured A380s also had a higher number of premium seats.

While the total number of seats has been increased by one to 485, the split between the four cabin classes has changed.

First class was unchanged at 14 seats, while the business cabin has been expanded to 70 seats, from 64 in the old configuration.

There was a big increase in premium economy from 35 to 60 seats, while the economy cabin was being cut by 30 seats to 341 seats.

The upper deck has been reconfigured to only business and premium economy cabins, while first and economy will be on the lower deck.

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/10/qantas-welcomes-back-first-refurbished-airbus-a380-into-service/

[Dennis McLean]

OQJ departed for AUH at 15.27 today as QF6011

[Christopher Campbell]

Has OQL been refurbished? Surely it takes longer than 3 weeks?

OQH has replaced it in Dresden.

[James Smith]

Very interesting, Chris. OQL after only 3 weeks has swapped with OQH in Dresden. After OQK was in Dresden, QANTAS Source said that she was returning after maintenance and reconfiguration. With OQL they have just said, after maintenance in Dresden, so in view of the short time and the Q Source missing comment it looks as though OQL has not been reconfigured. OQJ remains in Abu Dhabi having maintenance.

According to my records, OQD is the only A380 that has not had or is currently having maintenance in either Abu Dhabi or Dresden this year. OQJ remains in Abu Dhabi having maintenance.

Any clarifying input on the refurbishment question would be welcomed. If an A380 is just having the refurbishment how long should this take?

[Christopher Campbell]

How are they going to get 3 done by the end of the year, or is it 3 will be done/undergoing reconfiguration by the end of 2019.

I thought the A380s which have been in Abu Dhabi recently would only take 1 month to be refurbished?

[MarkR]

OQB is out of action for two weeks after an incident in hanger 96 saw a door damaged by scaffolding according to SMH, that’s going to hurt scheduling

https://www.smh.com.au/national/qantas-a380-grounded-after-door-almost-ripped-off-at-sydney-airport-20191109-p5391o.html

[C Patters]

Wow clearly someone not doing their job checking that the aircraft was ready for push back out of the hanger as that should never have happened!

[Philip Argy]

I wonder if the door came open unexpectedly during pushback out of the hangar or if it was simply never closed before pushback. Either way having OQB out of action for another two weeks will be an expensive exercise!

[Ash W]

With two others also out of action wonder if Qantas will need to rejig the schedule.

[James Smith]

It was nice of the SMH to give us the registration of the A380 - OQB. Of the remaining QANTAS A380s, OQH has been in DRS since 22/10/19 and OQJ in AUH since 8/10/19. I saw on yesterday's (Saturday) departures board that QF7 had been cancelled. Tomorrow's (Monday) QF11 and QF7 are both listed as operating but QF1 has been cancelled.

[Greg Hyde]

Also they are down 3 x B738's (cracks) as well !!

A scheduling nightmare

[C Patters]

Does anyone know why OQK is currently positioning to Perth from Sydney as QF6004?

[Max C]

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHOQK

SYD-MEL

[C Patters]

Thanks Max..........Flightradar24 is showing SYD-PER. All makes sense now!

[Ash W]

Seeing as QF36 was an A330 last night I reckon it is headed to Melb rather than Perth to operate QF93 to LAX.

[Ash W]

I was close. OQK did indeed go to Melb rather than Perth but operated QF35 to SIN rather than QF93 to LAX. OQC came in as QF94 and turned around quickly and left as QF93

[Dennis McLean]

QF1 to SIN/LHR cancelled today

[James Smith]

That flows on from the cancellation of last Monday's QF1 which would have been back in SYD this morning. It will be interesting to see if Sunday's QF1 is also cancelled to continue the pattern of cancelling QF1/2 every 3 days while OQB is sidelined.

[James Smith]

OQB has been repaired and is back in service departing this morning as QF11, so that is good news with A380 flights back to normal.

[James Smith]

It looks as though two QANTAS A380s are currently unserviceable. OQK left SYD as QF11 on Monday and is still in LAX and OQF arrived as QF2 on Monday and is still in SYD.

This has resulted in QF7 being cancelled on Monday and today, with OQG which operated QF11 yesterday currently on its way back to SYD as Wednesday's QF12. It is due in tonight just prior to curfew.

QF1 is not operating today but the delayed service is due to depart tomorrow morning at 6:30, presumably with OQG operating.

[C Patters]

I'm surprised they didn't put an additional 787 onto the LAX service given there is additional capacity at the moment to do this

[Fred C]

OQF is in SIN not SYD.

[James Smith]

Thanks for the correction, Fred. FlightAware had the SIN-SYD leg not completed but it was a bit confusing showing an estimated arrival time in SYD. QANTAS Source Tracker indicated the leg had been completed to SYD.

OQK is back in service currently inbound operating QF94 LAX-MEL. OQG has just departed SYD as yesterday's QF1 operating as QF1D.

[James Smith]

I found the following article in Simple Flying on the QANTAS A380 unserviceabilities:

https://simpleflying.com/quarter-qantas-a380-fleet-grounded/

Very much over the top and written in emotive language from the passengers perspective quoting their Twitter messages.

From our interest there is no reason mentioned for OQFs mechanical problems and its lengthy stay in SIN.

BTW, QF8 arrival today was cancelled as is today's QF1.

[Steve S... 2]

I cannot wait to see the end of the A380's. Was there not a more suitable airliner at the time rather than a four engined blimp.

Am I correct to say that only Emirates has A380's left on order at this stage?

With only approx. 260 built and a few left on order and a couple already scrapped, could they be called a flop especially if Emirates hadn't ordered any.

As you can see I hate them lol.

[C Patters]

Does anyone know when OQF will return from Singapore?

[MarkR]

Does anyone know when OQF will return from Singapore?

When they find an engine for her that will start, No 2 won’t.

[James Smith]

A380 VH-OQD operated QF35 today to SIN and is turning around as QF2 departing shortly to SYD. QF36 SIN- MEL has been cancelled as was the LHR-SIN leg of QF2.

Will have to see whether Monday's QF35 or QF93 MEL-LAX are cancelled.

[James Smith]

VH-OQF returned to service operating QF36 SIN-MEL overnight.

[James Smith]

Ah, finally there was movement at the station... OQJ has just left AUH as QF6010 on its return to SYD and is due to arrive at 20:05 this evening, at this stage. She left SYD on 8/10/19 for maintenance in AUH.

The eleventh A380 is needed by QANTAS to commence QF17/18 services to LAX from this Friday evening. No word yet on OQH which is in DRS for refurbishment. It is needed back to commence A380 operations to HKG from 19/12/19.

[C Patters]

Do we know yet if OQJ has been refurbished as there was meant to be 3 by the end of this year?

[James Smith]

No, just maintenance in AUH. Only two will be refurbished by the end of the year.

[C Patters]

Thanks James........think Qantas having all the A380's refurbished by the end of 2020 may not happen!

[James Smith]

Peter, have a look at my post #72 in this thread. QANTAS will need to have two A380 being refurbished at the same time to have any hope of the work being completed in 2020.

[James Smith]

After arriving in SYD on Wednesday evening, OQJ returned to service operating QF11 to LAX yesterday.

[Dennis McLean]

OQH still in DRS, getting a bit tight as they need all 12 on Friday???

[James Smith]

Yes, I thought that OQH, as the 12th A380, would be needed for QF127/128 A380 operations which are scheduled to commence tomorrow 19/12/19. However, QANTAS can skimp another day from the few days that an A380 is not needed for QF17/18 on Friday evening to Tuesday morning to operate QF127 tomorrow.

As you say Dennis, OQH is needed for one of the four A380 flights scheduled on Friday 20/12/19, the latest which departs as QF17 at 18:25.

QF1 departed yesterday and is scheduled to depart today so it looks as though OQH will be ferried back to SYD and not re-positioned to LHR to operate QF2. Therefore, she would need to leave DRS, via a refuelling stop, early afternoon local time tomorrow at the very latest to be here in time to operate QF17.

We'll see what happens between now and tomorrow afternoon.

[James Smith]

A380 OQH is finally on the move. According to FlightAware she is departing DRS in just under 2 hours at 11:10 local non-stop to SYD. Flight time 18 hours 15 minutes with an arrival time of 5:25 tomorrow morning in SYD. DRS must have a long runway. I checked it out - a single runway of 2850 metres, configured 04/22.

Wow. No refuelling stop for this baby. This is like a Project Sunrise flight in itself.

[David C]

A380 OQH is finally on the move. According to FlightAware she is departing DRS in just under 2 hours at 11:10 local non-stop to SYD. Flight time 18 hours 15 minutes with an arrival time of 5:25 tomorrow morning in SYD. DRS must have a long runway.

Wow. No refuelling stop for this baby. This is like a Project Sunrise flight in itself.

DRS has a 2800M long runway. The A380 will be well under Max take off weight and will easily get airborne with a good safety margin . The A380 for any given weight has a far superior runway performance than a 747 .

Dave C

[James Smith]

OQH as QF6016 was airborne from DRS five minutes ago at 11:35 local.

[Christopher Campbell]

Is OQJ refurbished too? It says so in the refurbished A380 seat map it along with OQH and OQK.

[Dennis McLean]

Only 2, H and K

[MarkR]

Only 2, H and K

No J has been done as well, so there are three.

[James Smith]

Chris, QANTAS has previously stated that three A380s would be refurbished by the end of the year but apart from OQK and OQH the only other A380 to be to DRS was OQL for just over three weeks in October. She was there for maintenance only.

[MarkR]

Chris, QANTAS has previously stated that three A380s would be refurbished by the end of the year but apart from OQK and OQH the only other A380 to be to DRS was OQL for just over three weeks in October. She was there for maintenance only.

Your assuming only DRS is doing the refurb, it’s safe to say AUH is also doing it during majors as OQJ is definitely done based on tonight’s QF94 live seat map

[James Smith]

That's great news. Thanks for clarifying that OQJ is also refurbished, Mark. That explains why she was so long in AUH.

[James Smith]

How did I miss this item on QANTAS Source from 10/12/19. Three A380s have definitely been refurbished as at the end of 2019.

QANTAS A380 VH-OQJ, which has been under maintenance at Abu Dhabi since 9th October, positioned Abu Dhabi – Sydney late tonight as QF6010. The aircraft has been reconfigured from 14F/64J/35W/371Y to 14F/70J/60W/341Y.

[James Smith]

OQH arrived in SYD just after curfew this morning and has just sneaked out tonight before curfew over 4 hours late operating QF17 to LAX.

[Dennis McLean]

OQH has a problem it left LAX on QF18 at 01.57am PST Sat, over 5 hours late and return at LAX at 03.53am PST Sat ???????????

[James Smith]

Wow. Just the third flight after nearly two months in maintenance and refurbishment.

[Dennis McLean]

OQH is leaving LAX shortly as QF12, with OQJ on 18. This means a Mon arrival in SYD for 18. But Flight Aware is still showing a 380 departing as 17 tonight, but I cannot find an aircraft for it????

[James Smith]

Dennis, the answer might be in the Sydney Airport Departures for today which shows on the last entry QF17 departing at 18:25 tomorrow, Monday 24 hours late. This seems unusual in that you would think that QANTAS would turn around either OQJ or OQH who both arrive early in the day in SYD to get the passengers to LAX a bit quicker.

In saying this the Sydney Airport Arrivals for Tuesday has QF18 arriving at 18:10 only 12 hours late. I presume that either the QF11 or QF93 will have a quick turn around in LAX to operate QF18.

[Dennis McLean]

Both 11 and 17 are going to LAX today at normal times except 17 is 24 hours late. But OQJ on 11 is turning around at 08.30am PST Monday to arrive in SYD at 6.25pm Tuesday.

[Sean L]

Does anyone know why QF8 Dallas to Sydney diverted to Noumea on the 16th of jan?

[MarkR]

Probably fuel Sean, the Dallas flights are load challenged every day and when there is a possibility of a diversion they need to get more fuel. On a long flight the expected weather can change, triggering the requirement for holding or diversion fuel that didn’t exist prior to departure. Often the precursor is an amended TAF, or terminal area forecast, as there currently is at the time of this post, although this one indicates the issue is in hours, not tomorrow morn:

TAF AMD YSSY 200507Z 2006/2112
12012KT 9999 -SHRA FEW010 SCT030
FM201000 25005KT 9999 FEW025
FM201400 32005KT 9999 SCT005
FM202300 32008KT CAVOK
FM210400 08008KT CAVOK
FM210800 15012KT 9999 FEW010 BKN100
PROB30 TEMPO 2006/2010 VRB30G50KT 2000 TSRA BKN010 SCT040CB
PROB30 2014/2022 4000 BR
RMK
T 27 24 23 22 Q 998 1000 1002 1003

[C Patters]

Does anyone know when the next A380 will go to either Dresden or AUH for a refurb? I'm assuming once CNY has finished.

[James Smith]

Now that QF17/18 have finished their seasonal flights an A380 is now available for refurbishment.

[MarkR]

That’s assuming other line maintenance is not required for the fleet in the interim such as A checks

[Dennis McLean]

VH-OQG departed SYD as QF6027 at 10.34pm 1/2/20 arrived in SIN on 02/02/20 at 03.01am, departed at 06.18am as QF6019 for ??? presumably DRS as Flight Aware did not show the destination

[James Smith]

VH-OQG/QF6019 arrived in DRS an hour ago at 23:22 local.

[Dennis McLean]

If you look at QF127/128, SYD/HKG/SYD, it appears that the A.380 ceases at the end of February instead of 28 March, so that leaves 11 for service. So as before Christmas when there were 2 in maintenance and cabin refresh no doubt another will go leaving 10 to run the scheduled services with NO spare.

[James Smith]

The seasonal operations by A380 on QF127/128 to HKG finished with the arrival of QF128 this morning. QF127 is now being operated by a mix of A330 and B744 equipment until B789 services resume from 2/3/20, ex SYD. VH-EBO is operating QF127 today.
Another A380 looks to be now available for QANTAS to send for refurbishment/maintenance, probably in AUH with VH-OQG currently in DRS. Also, the last three A380s are to be repainted in the silver roo livery in PUS this year. It will be a busy year to complete the A380 refurbishments in 2020.

[James Smith]

VH-OQA left SYD at 21:51 this evening as QF6019 for SIN. Is DRS its ultimate destination? It would normally have flown non-stop to AUH if having maintenance and/or refurbishment there or non-stop to PUS if being repainted there. We shall see.

[James Smith]

VH-OQA has arrived in DRS for maintenance and/or refurbishment making two QANTAS A380 there at once.

[James Smith]

QANTAS is reverting QF35/36 MEL-SIN-MEL currently operated by an A380 to a 789 from 29/3/20 to 24/5/20. As this flight is an extension of QF93/94 some timing adjustments will be needed for the departure of the LAX flight from MEL.

This opens up the possibility of QANTAS getting a third A380 refurbished during this time, which maybe a little tight as the last two refurbishments have taken two months to complete. Another possibility is that the three remaining A380s could be repainted in PUS during the eight week period.

[Dennis McLean]

OQA is on its way back to SYD on QF2 after only 3 weeks in DRS. Has the Cabin change been done or was it only a "C" check???? OQD which arrived in LHR on QF1 over 16 hours ago, it is almost 12 midnight in LHR now, has not ferried to DRS??? Perhaps OQL which is due in LHR on QF1 in about 6 hours will go instead with D returning to SYD????

[James Smith]

It could just be a crew rest issue and OQD will position to DRS in the morning, Dennis. You would think though that the crew that brought OQA to LHR would take OQD back to DRS as it is such a short leg.

QANTAS Source posted the following on 6 March, 2020:

QANTAS A380 VH-OQA, which has been under maintenance at Dresden since 14th February, positioned Dresden – London Heathrow early this afternoon as QF6006.

[Dennis McLean]

Ok that confirms no cabin refresh. So OQG must be getting done in DRS

[James Smith]

Well, Dennis we were both wrong. OQD has gone to AUH for maintenance and possible refurbishment and OQL is returning to SYD as QF2.

QANTAS A380 VH-OQD positioned London Heathrow – Abu Dhabi for maintenance this morning as QF6007. The aircraft had arrived into London Heathrow early yesterday morning as QF1 from Sydney and Singapore.

Source: QANTAS Source

[MarkR]

Qantas will announce today that half of the A380 fleet will be grounded to reduce capacity.

[MarkR]

Only two will remain flying:

“rather than exit routes altogether, Qantas will use smaller aircraft and reduce the frequency of flights to maintain overall connectivity.
This approach results in eight of the airline’s largest aircraft, the Airbus A380, grounded until mid- September. A further two A380s are undergoing scheduled heavy maintenance and cabin upgrades, leaving two of its A380s flying.
In response to strong customer demand for the direct Perth-London service, the existing Sydney- Singapore-London return service (QF1 and QF2) will be temporarily re-routed to become a Sydney-Perth- London service from 20 April.
The start of Qantas’ new Brisbane-Chicago route will be delayed from 15 April to mid-September.”

[David C]

I take it then that as of 20 April the QF1/2 will revert to 787 equipment ?

[MarkR]

Yes, 787 double daily ex Perth to LHR

[James Smith]

Wow, what a dramatic way to ensure that the A380 refurbishment is completed by the end of 2020!

This leaves QF11/12 SYD-LAX-SYD as the only QANTAS service operating with A380 equipment. I presume they will keep flying two of the three refurbished A380s - OQH, OQJ & OQK, although OQH is yet to be repainted in the silver roo livery. OQG will probably have its refurbishment completed by 20/4/20 as well.

[MarkR]

Where are they going to park the birds?

[David C]

OQI departed SYD for Dresden this evening , non stop and estimated at 19hrs . Probably the longest duration flight ever for a A380 . I assume it’s the next one for the refurb , or is it for storage ?

[MarkR]

OQI departed SYD for Dresden this evening , non stop and estimated at 19hrs . Probably the longest duration flight ever for a A380 . I assume it’s the next one for the refurb , or is it for storage ?

Aus Aviation are saying the A380s will be parked in SYD

Qantas and Jetstar have pulled roughly 150 aircraft from service, which will be spread between short-term storage facilities located at airports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and Australia’s only long-term facility in Alice Springs.

Around 50 of the planes are set for Victoria’s Avalon Airport, with another 24 parking up at Sydney (including most of Qantas’ 12-strong fleet of A380s).

Qantas will relocate about a team of 30 engineers to Avalon this week to maintain the aircraft during grounding.

https://australianaviation.com.au/2020/03/grounded-aircraft-arrive-at-capital-airports/?utm_source=australianaviation;utm_campaign=newsle tter;utm_medium=email&utm_content=4&utm_emailID=*%7CMMERGEEM%7C*

[James Smith]

QANTAS Source is saying that OQI is going to DRS for maintenance, which probably means refurbishment. Possibly OQI will replace OQG which left SYD on 1/2/20. The refurbishments have been taking approximately two months to perform, so the timing is good and the tech crew will be able to fly OQG back to SYD, as the transfer via LHR is no longer possible.

[James Smith]

OQI operating as QF6017 landed in DRS after a 19 hour 14 minute flight non-stop from SYD.

[Daniel F]

QF 1/2 will be operating via DRW instead of SIN for its final few services.

[James Smith]

Approximately 16 hour 40 minute flight time DRW to LHR.

[Garry Emanuel]

Can't help but wonder whether the global turmoil courtesy of Covid-19 and the impact it is having on global aviation will force Qantas' hand on the A380 - refurbish all 12 or curtail that program at 6-8, flog the remainder off/leaseback and await the delivery of smaller planes - more 787's, the 350's and some of the 321NEOS ! ! ! !

Can't see the demand for major travel picking up much ahead of year-end at best.

[MarkR]

Can't help but wonder whether the global turmoil courtesy of Covid-19 and the impact it is having on global aviation will force Qantas' hand on the A380 - refurbish all 12 or curtail that program at 6-8, flog the remainder off/leaseback and await the delivery of smaller planes - more 787's, the 350's and some of the 321NEOS ! ! ! !

Can't see the demand for major travel picking up much ahead of year-end at best.

I believe there is a stop on 5 Cabin refresh, and at this stage only Syd-LHR and SYD Lax will see A380 services

[C Patters]

Any word on when OQG, OQI or OQD will return to Australia with their cabins refurbished & what rego will be next to go in?

[James Smith]

Confirmation from QANTAS that the refurbishments of the A380 fleet will be kept to six aircraft at present.

The A380s already refurbished - VH-OQH, OQJ & OQK. The A380s currently being refurbished - VH-OQG, OQD & OQI. It could be that OQG, which has been in DRS for over 3 months, has been completed and is now being stored there. Similarly with OQD which has been in AUH for over 2 months.

The challenge for Qantas is that “we don’t know when the big markets like the US and the UK, which use the A380s, will open, and when,” Joyce explains to Executive Traveller. “We are keeping our options open," he added.

Qantas has already refitted six of its 12 Airbus, replacing its business class Skybeds with the more passenger-pleasing Business Suites and adding two new inflight lounges.

But plans to refurbish the remaining six jets have been halted to free up cash in the short term, and reduce what could prove to be unnecessary spend over a longer period, until it’s clear how many A380s will be needed going forward.

Source: Executive Traveller

[Greg Hyde]

OQE is about to ferry to VCV for storage.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA6001

[Greg Hyde]

OQJ which was stored at LAX has ferried to VCV as QF6007.

[Kent Broadhead]

OQA currently at 34lL threshold, about to depart to VCV as QF6003.

[Greg Hyde]

OQH is scheduled to depart for VCV as QF6001 this morning

[Sean L]

VH-OQL departed Sydney for LAX.

[Adrian B]

The link below is an interesting youtube video and commentry about hibernation processes, costs and restart methods. Video references Alice Springs, VCV and QF.

Link to "The Logistics Involved To Hibernate An Airbus A380" by Youtube Channel "Long Haul by Simple Flying" Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDYPbrVWfGg)

[Sean L]

I've been told the last Qantas A380 parked at Sydney will depart on the 27th.

[James Smith]

Is that OQC?

[Greg Hyde]

OQL completed its ferry to VCV on 18/07/20

[Greg Hyde]

From QF Source

QANTAS A380 VH-OQF Switches from Los Angeles to Victorville Storage.

Jul 15, 2020

QANTAS A380 VH-OQF, which has been in storage at Los Angeles since 26th March, positioned Los Angeles - Victorville for long term storage this afternoon as QF6007.

[Greg Hyde]

A380 Fleet Status

Rego Stored Date

OQA VCV 12/07
OQB LAX 16/03
OQC SYD 01/04
OQD AUH 07/03
OQE VCV 06/07
OQF VCV 15/07
OQG DRS 02/02
OQH VCV 13/07
OQI DRS 23/03
OQJ VCV 07/07
OQK MEL 02/04
OQL VCV 18/07

[James Smith]

OQK is currently on its way from MEL to LAX as QF6001.

[Greg Hyde]

That leaves one (OQC) on Aus soil

[Aaron M]

They say the A380's are being stored at VCV because they have an engineering team at LAX that can drive down and do the periodical maintenance?
Is this a Qantas team?
Are other airlines A380's also being stored at VCV?

[MarkR]

They say the A380's are being stored at VCV because they have an engineering team at LAX that can drive down and do the periodical maintenance?
Is this a Qantas team?
Are other airlines A380's also being stored at VCV?

Qantas have/had forty odd staff in LA https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-unveils-new-aircraft-maintenance-facility-at-lax/

[Greg Hyde]

OQK completed her ferry to VCV on 22/07

[James Smith]

OQD flew a 3 hour and 42 minute test flight to the north-west of AUH over the Persian Gulf yesterday. Preparing to position to VCV to join the gang, perhaps?

[MarkR]

I like the folk on pprune suggesting OQC will fly a white elephant track after departure!

[Greg Hyde]

I've heard that OQD/G/I will ferry via the Atlantic rather than the Pacific route

[James Smith]

OQD has left AUH as QF6004 to LAX.

It's over 2,000 miles shorter from AUH via the Atlantic and another 2,000 miles shorter again from DRS. If the A380s don't need to come to SYD the Atlantic/Arctic great circle route is the way to go.

[David C]

It’s over 13,000Nm from AUH to LAX via SYD , yet only 7,200NM direct AUH- LAX . It would be a no brainer to go via the N Atlantic route .

[Greg Hyde]

Landed LAX after 16hr flight

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA6004

[Greg Hyde]

VH-OQC is expected to leave from SYD today as Q6003 at around 1315

[Greg Hyde]

OQC has completed her ferry to VCV on 28/7

[C Patters]

Does anyone know when OQG & OQI will ferry to Victorville from Dresden?

[James Smith]

Also, is OQB still at LAX?

[Brenden S]

There will be 2 A380's remain at LAX

[David C]

OQG is on descent to VVV at this time after ferrying from Dresden as the QF 6006 . It has about 20 mins to run to landing and then a long rest in storage one would imagine .

Dave C

[C Patters]

Is there any update on when OQI will leave Dresden & head to Victorville with the other A380's?

[Jamie D]

VH-OQI currently on its way to Victorville as QF6006 direct from Dresden

[MarkR]

VH-OQI currently on its way to Victorville as QF6006 direct from Dresden

Ironically at the same time as the last ever A380 MSN 272 entered final production.

[James Smith]

VH-OQB & VH-OQD are the two A380s remaining in LAX at present with the remainder now at VCV.

[Greg Hyde]

QF A380's stored at VCV

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFS6eLXn-ud/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFnhHRHBGd3/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFf58gpBTA8/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXVD5ThJuP/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEwA1qMMSEq/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CErhsoFJHzA/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CER0Yb1BY3Y/