QF removes First from 747s and selected 380s

[Montague S]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

At least if Qantas is deploying A380 to Hong Kong I will not need to change at Singapore and waste my time to avoid those airlines flying direct which either is dangerous or of poor service quality.

SIA deploy the A380 to VHHH too, I guess they are dangerous and of a poor quality?

[NickN]

I'd say that if any of the operators in and out of Singapore and the like were "dangerous" they'd be out of service or grounded quick smart.

If you want to see "dangerous" perhaps a trip to Africa might change your definition of what dangerous carriers are.

I think global aviation has come a long way from past practices with safety and passenger comfort improved ten fold.

Newer, safer maintenance and construction practices coupled with better technology has made flying a very enjoyable experience for millions of people worldwide each day.

[James K]

Originally Posted by Marty H

Anthony Im quietly enjoying the killing QF are getting across the Pacific on Tues and Sat out of MEL, I was also told by someone who flew on SYD-LAX on the 28th of Jan with QF ont he A380 that the flight had 50 pax onboard total, whilst V was oversold

I can see the figures and I'm happy to tell you your friend was totally wrong.
Sure the loads that day were not great. Swings and roundabouts as I'd hope you might understand. The load on the return flt was very healthy.
I hope you tell us all when V goes out with light loads as it will happen one day.

[Marty H]

Will be happy to James, can you PM me the pax load for the A380 flight SYD-LAX flight on the 28th of Jan so I can correct him.

Cheers

[D Chan]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

I will not need to change at Singapore and waste my time to avoid those airlines flying direct which either is dangerous or of poor service quality.

have you forgotten what happened in Taipei? and also this: http://www.iasa-intl.com/folders/bel...SIAscrape.html

[Brad Myer]

Ok according to the announcements today:

Details of the changes:
B747-400
* nine B747-400 will be upgraded and fitted with Qantas' A380 standard seats and inflight product, including a fully flat Skybed sleeper seat in Business, an award-winning Marc Newson designed and Recaro manufactured seat in Economy and state-of-the-art on-demand Panasonic inflight entertainment in all classes
* First class cabins will be removed and Business seats installed in their place
* the three-class configuration will offer 359 seats (58 Business, 36 Premium Economy and 265 Economy), an increase of 52 seats overall

A380
* 12 A380s will continue to fly with a four-class configuration, including First class, but be refitted to reduce Business seating and increase Premium Economy and Economy seating
* the remaining eight aircraft will be delivered from 2012 in a three-class configuration and with no First cabin
* A380 seat numbers are to be confirmed subject to discussions with Airbus and suppliers
The upgrade and reconfiguration program will commence at the end of 2011 and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2013. It will be funded through the combination of operating cash flows and pre-existing debt facilities. The majority of capital expenditure will take place in 2012.
Further details of the program, including where work will be undertaken, will be confirmed once contractual arrangements are finalised.

Only 9x B744s will remain in the fleet and they will be the ones getting the upgraded cabins.

Looks like they will not bother to reconfig all the other B744s which by the looks of it will all be gone in the next 2 years.

[Marty H]

So you would assume the nine B744's would be the six ER's and the three youngest RR powered birds???

[Sarah C]

Correct.

[Oliver Gigacz]

Also stated that they will be flying daily services from both MEL and SYD. But I we probably all guessed this would happen.

[Mick B]

Anyone want to hazard a guess as to where the 9 remaining 744s will fly once all 20 A380s have been delivered?

EZE, JNB and SFO? That would be about right for 9 aircraft + maintenance wouldn't it? Or will SFO eventually go to the A380?

Obviously the network will change a bit in the next 4-5 years, but it's pretty safe to say that it won't be in the form of growth unless it's got a star on the tail