Qantas A380 Update

[Brad Myer]

Hi all,

5 of the current 7 A380s are in service, with VH-OQA awaiting repairs in SIN, and VH-OQC still awaiting new engines in SYD.

Does anyone have any updates on when VH-OQC will be back in the air?

And does anyone know when the next 2 new A380s (OQH/OQI) will be delivered?

And finally any news on a LAX service return date?

Cheers

[Oliver Gigacz]

OQI is likely to be delivered first, due to a delay on OQH. OQI at the moment is scheduled for mid Jan delivery, with OQH to follow in late Jan or early Feb. (subject to change)

[Martin Clementson]

Is there any information about the plans for the A.380 at Singapore, VH-OQA.
Will it fly again, and when. Who is going to repair it, and who is going to pay for the repairs?

[Josh Cliff]

And finally any news on a LAX service return date?



Im very interested in the return of the LA service as Im about to book flights to LA in June and would very much like to be sitting in a A380 for the 1st time..

Josh

[Dan Collins]

Qantas Prepares to Resume A380 Flying on USA Routes:
http://www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/au/publicaffairs/details?ArticleID=2011/jan11/5057

Will be good to see them back in action across the Pacific :)

Dan

[Wayne Bee]

At 2343 SYD Time VH-OQC was on Planefinder listed as FLT NO ENGRUN
Would this be correct that it was doing a Eng run at this time of night?.

[Nigel C]

It had 2 engines missing last time I saw it this evening, and it wasn't parked in the run bays.

[Wayne Bee]

Thanks Nigel
Thought it was strange that it was on plane finder.
It kept kept changing heading and speed while I was watching the screen.

[Ian Nicholls]

QF6024 tracking down the Italian coast on flightradar24.com. Not showing Rego but Hex Code 7C4928. Sydney arrivals shows this in at 1550 tomorrow routing TLS-SIN-SYD. Anybody know if this is VH-OQH or VH-OQI?

[Zac M]

It was reported in another thread that it is VH-OQI

[Noel White]

According to the Australian Hex Code 7Cxxxx allocation:

7C4927 = VH-OQH
7C4928 = VH-OQI
7C4929 = VH-OQJ
7C492A = VH-OQK

[Jason H]

VH-OQC was back in service today after an 80 day hiatus, operating QF11 to LAX. What I believe is that it got engine replacements and changes, so it will be interesting to see if it is utilised to LAX more often that the others.

[Greg Hyde]

Does anyone who if OQI has gone into service ?

Also, OQH was added to the register on 21/01. Does anyonw know when she is due to arrive & enter service.

Greg

[Laurent Sanhard]

VH OQI has already done 3 or 4 trips to London / QF31/32 and QF10/QF09

[James Smith]

VH-OQIs first commercial flight was QF31 to Singapore and London on Monday 17/1/11. It arrived on its delivery flight on the previous Saturday.

[Greg Hyde]

Thanks James,

OQH must be due any day.

Greg

[Fred C]

VH-OQH due in on Tue arvo about 1730.:D

[Jason H]

Any word on OQH's first flight? I'm on QF11 on Friday 4/2. Would love a brand spanking new plane for my first A380 experience :D

[Fred C]

Fresh out of luck there Jason. If you fly in the opposite direction a day later you may of been in lucky.

[Jason H]

they always seem to put the first flight as the QF31. I wonder why.

[Fabian Lee]

VH-OQH due in on Tue arvo about 1730.:D

Hi. Is this delivery still on track? Thank you.

[Fred C]

Yes.

[Oliver Gigacz]

Now scheduled to arrive into SYD tomorrow at 17:50.

[matthew mcdonald]

Now delayed until 7:50pm tonight.

[Jason H]

Does anyone know what actually happened with VH-OQC? Did it get 4 new engines? Or just one? Why was it out of service for so long?

[Bernie P]

Cheers, that's great info - thanks. Maybe I'll photograph it - and the temperature will be cooler (hopefully less heat-haze) by that time of the night!

Here is hoping I can make it in time (no delays getting away from work).

Why worry about heat haze at 'that time of night' Chris, the shots you get (Antanov) will be fine I am sure!!!!!! :p

[Fred C]

Does anyone know what actually happened with VH-OQC? Did it get 4 new engines? Or just one? Why was it out of service for so long?
It had three engines replaced. It was out of service for so long because it had to wait for replacement engines. It just happened to be last on the list for replacements. :D

[Jason H]

Thanks Fred, that makes me feel a lot better as I'm flying on her in a few days :p

[Jason H]

I hope those who wanted to see VH-OQH's arrival are at the airport, because it just landed on 34L

[Greg Hyde]

Has OQH entered service yet ?

[Stefan Perkas]

Entered service on Saturday night 05/02/11 as QF31 SYD-SIN-LHR.

[Malcolm Parker]

The next one VH-OQJ has had its delivery flight from Hamburg to Toulouse. Penciled in is the delivery flight to SYD as QF6024 on 5th April at 1100. So we could see her in Sydney as early as 6th April in the evening.

[Brad Myer]

Great news!

Might see one or two B744s retired with the arrival of OQJ?

Any idea of the status of VH-OQK?

[Oliver Gigacz]

VH-OQK is scheduled to begin engine tests this week, and perform her first flight within a fortnight.

[Kieran Wells]

VH-OQK is scheduled to begin engine tests this week, and perform her first flight within a fortnight.

Will this one still be in toulouse around 29th April, or will it be moved by then?

[Oliver Gigacz]

Should be in Hamburg by than, but MSN074 (QF #12) might be, she was only rolled out of final assembly last Friday. But don't get your hopes up.

[Mike W]

Great news!

Might see one or two B744s retired with the arrival of OQJ?


I wouldn't call it "great news" to see the end of such a beautiful aircraft as the 744. You'll regret that sentiment when they're all gone, just as we now do with the 707 and others.

[Fred C]

I'll second that. Don't forget which fleet of aircraft stepped up to the challenge when the A380's were grounded.:D

[Brad Myer]

Ah guys the "great news!" comment was in relation to another A380 arriving not the B744s being retired!!!!

And besides 9 B744s are being refurbed and kept for many more years....

Time to settle down I think.

Thanks

[Jon Harris]

VH-OQJ which was meant to arrive in SYD tomorrow 06APR has a revised delivery schedule as follows and should arrive morning of 10APR at 0615:

Flight QF6024
TLS-SIN 08APR DEP: 2300 ARR: 1735 - ON 09APR
SIN-SYD 09APR DEP: 2035 ARR: 0615 - ON 10APR

[Steve S... 2]

And the 9 744's to be retained and refurbished are (am I correct??):

VH-OJS
VH-OJT
VH-OJU
VH-OEE
VH-OEF
VH-OEG
VH-OEH
VH-OEI
VH-OEJ

[Jon Harris]

That sounds about right Steve...they would def keep the 6 744ERs and it would make sense to keep the last 3 delivered of the RR 744s - that is the most logical but who knows?

[Brad Myer]

Yes that's correct.

The 3 RR OJS/T/U will also have new cabin walls and overhead bins installed to match the B744ERs.

[Craig Lindsay]

Once its all fixed will they keep it or flog it off to someone else?

[Will H]

Joyce has said it will return to QF service this year: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/02/17/353293/qantass-damaged-a380-to-return-to-service-this-year.html

[Jason H]

OQA will become the new OJH if it re-enters into the QF fleet

[Fred C]

What do you mean by IF it re-enters the QF fleet? Also what do you mean by it will become the new OJH?:confused:

[Matt_L]

Fred,

I assume he means that it will be the first aircaft since OJH which was the B744 involved in the Bangkok incident to be returned to

In terms of it coming back into service - its damage is severe and might not be worth the costs ( media release recently said Qf would pay the 100-150 mil but as I said it was just an article) Hangarage in Singapore is already costing the company an absolute packet.. but with 3 Billion in cash reserves as Joyce stated on 730 report the other night- this might not be such a bad thing !

[Radi K]

Matt, I don't doubt what your saying but it comes back to how much the QF reputation will take a hit regarding an actual hull loss? I think QF thinks this reputation is 'priceless' but everything has a price.

I have to say, if it is true, I would have never thought their first hull loss would be an A380!

[Jason H]

Fred,

What I mean is that it will become what OJH was....something that shouldn't have been fixed and put back in the air. I guess it depends on who you ask, because some say that OQA should be a write off, as OJH should have. I've heard (through an unconfirmed source) that pilots actually don't like flying OJH for this reason.

[Philip Argy]

I'd be happier if OQA went back to Toulouse for a factory-certified re-build. The Singapore reconstruction is a valiant effort but it can't match the facilities in Toulouse.

QF shouldn't be out of pocket after insurance and RR compensation - it was entirely blameless in this incident (and very different from OQH/Bangkok).

[Ash W]

Fred,

What I mean is that it will become what OJH was....something that shouldn't have been fixed and put back in the air. I guess it depends on who you ask, because some say that OQA should be a write off, as OJH should have. I've heard (through an unconfirmed source) that pilots actually don't like flying OJH for this reason.

-OJH is still going strong and has served Qantas well since it's incident and repair, so guess those facts really speak for themselves.

As for weather it was a write off or not, at the end of the day that is a matter for the insurance company and the Qantas to decide, both clearly decided for what ever reason it was worth repairing. (even if as some suggest it was for brand protection reasons)

[Fred C]

Jason, as Ash said OJH is just another aircraft in the fleet. There is no difference between this aircraft or any others. Boeing and Qantas did a magnificent job of returning it to normal. Pilots and engineers don't see it roll up to the gate and go "Ooohh it's OJH better be careful or look closely at this one".

Just remember it is an aircraft. There are very high standards applied to the repair and maintenance of these things. It is not like a car that has been in an accident that has been bodgied up by a backyard repairer and then driven through a mud puddle to hide the repairs and then onsold to some unsuspecting buyer.

Philip,

A/ You can't get OQA back to Toulouse. It has a hole in the wing. You have to fix the aircraft before it can fly again. You can't dodgy a wing repair, fly it to Toulouse and then fix it properly.

B/ Toulouse is a manufacturing facility not a repair facility. Remember that the build bits of the aircraft everywhere else and assemble them in Toulouse. Singapore is a repair and maintenance facility. Airbus engineers will bring what they need and fix it there in Singapore. Boeing and Airbus have an AOG team that regularly fly around the world fixing broken aircraft. They build temporary hangars and do it in whatever conditions present themselves. The damaged aircraft are always removed from the runway so that the airport can continue operating.
In fact Singapore is an excellent place to fix the A380. It has a purpose built hangar and a local airline that maintains and operates the very same aircraft. If it happened in LAX there would be no hangar, no local airline so therefore much more challenging to fix.:D

Oh and it WILL be repaired. They should have already started.

[Nathan Long]

Maybe it will be an episode on "World's Toughest Fixes".

[Todd Hendry]

I've heard (through an unconfirmed source) that pilots actually don't like flying OJH for this reason.

Jason,
OJH is actually no different at all to fly than any other RR B744 in the fleet.
I fly it all the time.
Gets me to where I'm going.
Maybe when it first came back crew didn't like flying it, but now no one even mentions it's history.

Todd.

[Jon Harris]

I just came back from HKG on OJH and I got it twice in DEC SYD-SIN-MEL...

She is a little tired inside but I had no qualms about flying her. If anything prob OJH might be the best kept RR 744 given the overhaul she had after QF1.

I think OQA might be a different story in the sense that back in 99 it wasn't really reported as OJH just a QF 744. This time round the media are now putting regos in their stories and maybe the flying public might have an aversion to flying on OQA? No doubt it can fly again, but do you think QF are considering the possible negative aspects associated with it?

[Jason H]

Thanks for clarifying that guys, as a passenger I would have been adamant to get on board OJH soon after the accident as I would OQA, and yes I do realise it's not 'like a car' and plenty of checks are done....I guess it's just a personal qualm of mine

[Nigel C]

Let's face it, 99.99999999% of the travelling public wouldn't have a clue as to which aircraft was involved in an incident and wouldn't give a second thought to it before flying.

[Mike W]

Let's face it, 99.99999999% of the travelling public wouldn't have a clue as to which aircraft was involved in an incident and wouldn't give a second thought to it before flying.

I don't know abut that Mate, in my limited sample selection (people I work with) people are very much aware of Qantas and issues with Airbus if not Rolls Royce. Even making jokes at their (Qantas/Airbus) expense. These are not enthusiasts, but general public.

[Ash W]

True Mike, but when they get to the gate how many will know and/or care what aircraft they are about to get onto, especially as the years go by?

[Mike W]

For sure, time heals all. ;)

[Ash W]

Even without time as I said many wouldn't know what specific aircraft they are getting on.

[Mike W]

But a 380? Surely they'd notice they were getting on that behemoth? Even without QF making a big deal about it.

[Ash W]

But would they know it was -OQA?

[Mike W]

Would they tar all the QF 380s with the same brush?

[Nigel C]

Ash, that was exactly my point. It's only really those who work in the industry and the geeks that would recognise the actual aircraft involved.:p

[Michael Cleary]

And in many cases the rego of the Aircraft cant even be seen due to obstructions when boarding (or waiting to do so) so in most cases Joe/Jane Public may well have figured out that he/she is on a 380 or 744, but wont know which one. Even the significance of them seeing the letters VH-OQA or VH-OJH somewhere outside or inside the Aircraft will be foreign to most.

[Oliver Gigacz]

VH-OQJ (MSN062) left Toulouse last night.

She is routing as QFA6024 TLS-SIN-SYD.

[Benny Zheng]

VH-OQJ has left Singapore @ 2132LT. Expected arrival time into Sydney is 0634LT.

[Andrew M]

A beautiful photo for a beautiful aircraft :D

So 2 more A380's for Qantas this year, as it appears VH-OQM the 13th A380 has slipped into 2012.

Where are OQJ, OQK & OQL going to be used for ?

Daily MEL-LAX ? MEL-LHR ?

[Brad Myer]

The first 12 A380s (with F cabin) are apparently going to be used on:

Daily SYD-SIN-LHR
Daily SYD-LAX
Daily MEL-SIN-LHR
Daily MEL-LAX

Thanks

[Jason H]

With the addition of OQJ, MEL-LHR is now 6 times a week, and SYD-LAX is back to daily after a few 744 operating QF11 last week

[Andrew M]

Thanks Brad & Jason!

[Todd Hendry]

Great day for a photo but some goon in a pitts or something did some low level sign writing between you and OQJ. REHEAT IMAGES/ CHRIS DENTON i think it reads.

He/she is very neat.

Great photo as always Chris.

Todd

[lloyd fox]

Brad i dont mean to disagree with you, but i have been told that Qantas changed their A380 seating plans some time ago and it was to be 10 and 10 not 12 and 8.
I believe all 380's from OQK onwards will not have F class.

Can anyone confirm this.

[Jon Harris]

I was under the impression that OQM onwards would not have First.

Existing OQA-OQL would have W increased and J reduced.

Not sure if this has changed though...who knows?

[Jason H]

Didn't know where to post this, but VH-OQD has just left SYD as QF31 and will remain in Europe in Frankfurt for a C check. Should return in a few weeks.

[Arthur T]

I just wondering when will the remaining A380s arrive for this year and next year?

[Andrew M]

http://plane.spottingworld.com/A380_production_list is the reference that I use.

I have noticed that A380 delivery dates for Qantas and Singapore seem to be pushed back month after month.

[Oliver Gigacz]

Currently their eleventh and twlefth A380s (MSN063 and MSN074) are in Hamburg, being outfitted and painted.

Delivery will take place in October and November 2011.

This will complete the original order of 12 frames.

The first frame of the second order of 8, has yet to enter the assembly line.

The frame is question is MSN091 and on the current "Airbus Schedule", she is listed for a Q3 2012 delivery.

[Jason H]

Didn't see this posted anywhere else, which is surprising, but VH-OQK, Qantas' 11th A380 is at TOD into Sydney as QF6026

[Nigel C]

Here you go!
http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=7508&page=3

[Anthony F]

When is -OQK going to enter service for Qantas? The other A380 only had a couple of days in Sydney before entering service.

[Sarah C]

Anthony, OQK is operating the QF31 tomorrow (7 Dec)

[Philip Argy]

My simplistic view: if they aren't part of the aircraft design then they matter. Having said that, I won't second guess regulatory agencies if they have reviewed the risks and assessed them as sufficiently low that the repairs can await the next C-check.

[Ash W]

Also interesting to hear Steve Purvinas on the radio talking about this issue. Apparently he knows better than Airbus and the European regulators. Surprised he didn't get in a jibe saying any repairs must be done by Australians in Australia and that it is dangerous for anyone else to do it.

[Stefan Perkas]

Evening all,

Sorry to drag this topic back up. But seemed to fit the purpose of my post...

QANTAS from 02JAN1413 to 31JAN14 is increasing Airbus A380 operation on Sydney – Los Angeles route, as the oneWorld member to operate up to 9 weekly flights with the Super Jumbo.

QF107 SYD1155 – 0630LAX 744 x57
QF107 SYD1155 – 0630LAX 388 57
QF011 SYD1500 – 0935LAX 388 D

QF012 LAX2220 – 0820+2SYD 388 D
QF108 LAX2355 – 0940+2LAX 744 x57
QF108 LAX2355 – 0955+2LAX 388 57

QF107/108 is also scheduled to be operated by A380 on 25DEC13

http://airlineroute.net/2013/10/16/qf-sydlax-jan14/

[James Smith]

Will the A380 continue onto JFK from LAX on these days?

[JamesL]

Yes.

[Sarah C]

Will the A380 continue onto JFK from LAX on these days?

The aircraft from the QF15 is operating that tag - no A380.

[JamesL]

No have a look at the booking engine, the flight is being operated by the A380.

[Rowan McKeever]

That's not what I'm seeing James... I get A380 to LAX then 744 to JFK vv.

Edit/update:
See here: http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/info/201310/1010

[Sarah C]

Try booking first - you will see it isn't available.

The 747 is operating the JFK tag.

[Neil Hogbin]

Will defiantly be the 747 from the QF15 as Qantas use the British Airways facilities at terminal 7 JFK and they are not A380 gates.

[JamesL]

After a review it has changed but initially the QF site did say it was =|

[Montague S]

No have a look at the booking engine, the flight is being operated by the A380.

I went to book it first class last week when announced and it most certainly didn't have the 380 doing LAX-JFK. It also broke the fare in two with a mix of first and business.