QANTAS Fleet and Operations

[James Smith]

I have had a look at the QF A380 Fleet details on the QF website. It was interesting to note that of the 3 aircraft that have not had the cabin refresh OQA, OQC and OQL that OQL is back here after its overhaul. It appears it has NOT yet done any flights apart from the SYD/SYD flights on 7 and 8 February which I presume were training flights. Perhaps the cabin is being done in Sydney now?? OQA and OQC of course are still in AUH and OQI in LAX. OQC has been there since 21/6/21 so perhaps it will be the last one to "come home". Any comments?

Hi Dennis. Have a look at the links below. QANTAS has just announced that they are not resuming MEL-HKG-MEL services in late March as previously scheduled and the resumption will be delayed until at least mid June. This is due to ground handling staff shortages in Hong Kong where the airport there has only recently opened for unrestricted travel.

Because of this they are commencing A380 flights SYD-HKG-SYD from 26/3/23 until 30/4/23 on a daily basis and from 1/5/23-5/6/23 three times per week. The idea being that Melbourne passengers will fly to and from SYD to fly to and from HKG. The article refers to an A380 in the classic configuration operating the services for the three months, which must mean OQL.

This could relegate the refurbishment of OQL to the end of the queue after OQA and OQC. OQI has already been refurbished. As OQL only returned to SYD on 5/2/23 they may have recalled it with the knowledge of the lack of ground staff in HKG.

https://www.executivetraveller.com/n...hong-kong-a380
https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230217-qfhkg

Sources: Executive Traveller and Aeroroutes

[Stirling D]

I'm not 100% sure, but the 380 cabins are refitted in DRS/AUH aren't they? Not SYD?
VH-OQB DRS
VH-OQD AUH?
VH-OQG DRS
VH-OQH DRS
VH-OQI DRS?
VH-OQJ AUH?
VH-OQK DRS

[James Smith]

Yes Stirling, the A380 cabin refurbishments have been done in either DRS or AUH. I think that QANTAS has brought OQL home without its cabin refurbishment done to fix a HKG airport staff shortage problem by operating the SYD-HKG-SYD flights from 26/3/23. It is a temporary fix that will allow greater passenger throughput into HKG by only operating one flight from Australia. The alternative A330 aircraft have comparable cabin standards to the un-refurbished A380.

OQL hasn't had its wing spar inspections, as far as I can see, as it is a 50 day operation and the aircraft was only in LAX for 8 days, AUH for 47 days and it will only be 45 days from its crew training flight on 7 & 8/2/23 until the HKG flights commence. Another A380 could operate to HKG for the first five days of the flights as there is now spare capacity as MEL-LAX-MEL A380 flights are not reinstated until late October, 2023. Alternatively, they could perform the inspections quicker by providing more engineering resources. So, if OQL doesn't fly until late March it could be having these inspections done in SYD instead of not flying. We shall see.

[Brad Myer]

I would rate the A330-300 cabin streets ahead of an non refurbished A380.

In J class the A333 business suite is a far better product then the old skybeds found on OQL.

In Y class the A333s have a far newer and more modern seat than the A380 fleet.

[Stirling D]

OQH is off to LAX as QF6013 https://flightaware.com/live/flight/...055Z/YSSY/KLAX

[Tristan S]

OQL has filed another SYD SYD flight for later today
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHOQL

[Kent Broadhead]

Interesting fleet news in today's announcements fomr QF:


Five mid-life Airbus A319/320 aircraft to be sourced for Network Aviation to meet continued demand growth from resources clients in Western Australia.
Options for up to 12 additional E190s to be wet leased to QantasLink from Alliance Airlines.
Nine purchase right options for A220-300 aircraft for the domestic fleet to be exercised, taking the total number of A220s on firm order to 29. These additional aircraft will arrive during FY26 and FY27.
Two mid-life A320s for Jetstar Asia, to be based in Singapore, following the downsizing of its fleet during COVID to seven aircraft.
Three additional Airbus A321P2F freighters to help Qantas Freight meet demand with more efficient aircraft.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...f-year-result/

[Tristan S]

I wonder 5 320s for Network are over and above the 4 we know are transferring from JQ and if the 321s are going to be converted JQ frames.

[James Smith]

Also, are the three additional A321P2Ps additional to the six recently announced?

Notice that the A319/320 has been used to describe the mid-life aircraft for Network to meet continued demand growth. It has a B737-700 ring about it with the smaller member of the A320 family mentioned. Stated as growth not as replacements for the F100s.

[Greg Hyde]

Originally Posted by James Smith

Also, are the three additional A321P2Ps additional to the six recently announced?

Notice that the A319/320 has been used to describe the mid-life aircraft for Network to meet continued demand growth. It has a B737-700 ring about it with the smaller member of the A320 family mentioned. Stated as growth not as replacements for the F100s.

The A320's have previously been mentioned are coming from JQ.