QANTAS A380 Further Implementation Schedule

[Arthur T]

Qantas has announced their first 3 A380s will first go to Los Angles and then London via Singapore.

I was just wondering when will the 4th A380 will go to Qantas and where will they deploy their 4th A380s.

Finally, is it possible QANTAS will launch A380 to Hong Kong and Bangkok in 2009, as well as direct replace 747-300 by A380 from Sydney to Perth which both aircrafts have the same number of seats?

Anyway, that QANTAS is selling $998 to Shanghai and Beijing while a short route to Hong Kong is $1198 and Singapore is $1098. Think QF (or even JQ , but maybe CNS - HKG is more suitable for a JQ, as CX is monopoly on that sector) must add 1 more A330 service at night ex-Sydney at 10.30pm to compete with Cathay Pacific.

Finally, planning to take QF32 to Sydney on 14/2/2009 and QF32/QF311 again during Easter, as well as EK412 in Dec 2009!

[Kevin L]

I believe there are currently no plans for HKG and PER A380 service at this stage (for 2009 at least). The A330-200 (domestic) abd 767s are going to take over most of the SYD/MEL-PER flying.

[Michael Morrison]

Borghetti said SFO, FRA and HKG would most likely all see the A380 in the future.

They are due to have 7 (perhaps 8) by DEC09.

I would expect 3/4/5 and possibly 6 to go to the existing announced routes to make them daily - ie MEL-LAX and QF 11/12 SYD-LAX and the QF31/32 SYD-LHR.
So that owuld leave aircraft #7 to possibly move to another route... perhaps QF1/2?

[Eli B]

I was under the impression that the delivery of OQD will mean some of the 31/32's will start to be A380 services. Then the aircaft to follow will allow the QFs 11/12, 93/94 and the 31/32 to be daily A380 and also the other SYD LAX SYD flights 107/108 and the 49/108. I also thought the next port to get QF A380s will be BKK for the QF 1/2 up to LHR but that wasnt for a couple of years. There must be some people who love working with numbers to project and plan these things so far in advance! QF signed up o A380 in 2000!

I'm not sure QF need to put a 4 Class international config A380 on SYD or MEL to PER. The new flagship aircraft is here to work our flagship routes... USA and LHR imho. It was my understanding that Plan A was when 744's got taken off the Pacific they would be deployed on other routes to boost capacity before they retired. But the projected growth has been cut back (fuel prices? economic climate?) so we will be saying byebye to some of the oldies... starting with the 743s and then followed by the more 'senior' of the 744s. 734's will be off to Jetconnect in NZ. I think there is already some passenger to freighter conversions completed too 777's are all the buzz about town now cos we are waiting for 787s. Hehe.... not just the airlines are experiencing delays, almost all the aircraft manufacturers are running a bit late. I guess they are BIG pieces of equipment and nothing is left to chance. Safety before schedule!

[D Chan]

Originally Posted by Eli B

I'm not sure QF need to put a 4 Class international config A380 on SYD or MEL to PER.

I agree. Is Perth even ready for it? (to avoid confusion what I meant was - could Perth Airport cope with the A380 e.g. tarmac pavement strength, aerobridges, increased wingspan and does Qantas have the necessary equipment at Perth to service the A380 - e.g. catering trucks to service upper deck etc.)

Regarding intro into service - SQ had problems. EK had problems. I would be surprised if Qantas is immune to service disruptions during the first year of revenue ops.

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by D Chan

Regarding intro into service - SQ had problems. EK had problems. I would be surprised if Qantas is immune to service disruptions during the first year of revenue ops.

What problems did SQ have?

[Nigel C]

I understand there were some brake cooling issues on the first bird, but these were resolved within reasonable time.

I think it is fair to say they have had a remarkable initial service record for an entirely new and highly advanced type.

[Bob C]

Well the A380 is planned to visit Perth on October 14 so I guess the runway and taxiways can handle it. Be a few red faces if they couldn't !!

AFAIK the A380 will be parked at the International Terminal but I have no idea if the aerobridges are compatible or if any specialised support vehicles are available.

Perhaps somebody in the know can enlighten us ?

[Ash W]

Originally Posted by Michael Morrison

Borghetti said SFO, FRA and HKG would most likely all see the A380 in the future.

They are due to have 7 (perhaps 8) by DEC09.

I would expect 3/4/5 and possibly 6 to go to the existing announced routes to make them daily - ie MEL-LAX and QF 11/12 SYD-LAX and the QF31/32 SYD-LHR.
So that owuld leave aircraft #7 to possibly move to another route... perhaps QF1/2?

The front page of the Canberra Crimes has Dixon quoted as saying they will have 3 delivered this year with a ANOTHER 8 by the end of 2009, so that makes for 11.

As for routes they have only announced the ones listed above. In the first instance each is a few times a week (SYD-SIN-LHR comes on-line Feb/Mar), so no doubt once they start to build numbers in the fleet they will aim to fly these routes daily before looking at other routes.

[Michael Morrison]

Originally Posted by Ash W

The front page of the Canberra Crimes has Dixon quoted as saying they will have 3 delivered this year with a ANOTHER 8 by the end of 2009, so that makes for 11..

Ahhh, but the borghetti web chat on Sunday (which I will trust more than the press) says they will have 7 (hopefully 8) in total by the end of 2009 .