Qatar Airways to keep its A380s flying for years to come
The superjumbo will be put out to pasture again, but not in a hurry…
By David Flynn, August 28 2023
Qatar Airways will continue flying its superlative A380 superjumbos for some years to come, despite the airline’s outspoken CEO describing the double-decker colossus as “a hopeless airplane” in terms of fuel costs for the four mighty gas-guzzling engines.
But Akbar Al Baker is also very much a realist, admitting “it’s a fantastic airplane for the customer” as well as one which helps the airline get more people flying again.
“They will remain in service until we get the replacements like Boeing 777X and A350-1000s,” Al Baker tells Forbes, “due to the large seat count and the shortage of capacity.”
The resurgent superjumbo
Having initially been earmarked for retirement as the pandemic took hold, the A380s were unexpectedly pressed back into service in November 2021 as a stop-gap measure to help cope with increasing demand when almost half of Qatar Airways’ Airbus A350 fleet was grounded over claims of fuselage degradation.
It proved an unexpected return to glory for a plane which outspoken CEO Akbar Al Baker once described his purchase of the superjumbos as “the biggest mistake” in the airline’s history.
The A380 filled a short-term gap in Qatar Airways' fleet.
“We grounded the A380s at the beginning of the pandemic, and we never wanted to fly them again,” Al Baker told Executive Traveller in late 2021.
None the less, Al Baker ended up bringing eight of the ten-strong A380 fleet out of mothballs to fly to key destinations including London, Paris, Sydney, Perth and Bangkok, where they are a welcome sight for travellers with well-appointed first and business class seats and an elegant upper deck lounge.
And while the A380s will once again be stood down as reconditioned A350s head back the hangars at Doha and an additional 23 factory-fresh A350-1000s arrive from 2025 onwards, there should still be plenty of time to enjoy the superjumbos before they soar off into the sunset once more.
Qatar Airways' A380 upper deck lounge.
Speaking at a media roundtable earlier this year at the Paris Air Show, Al Baker confirmed the fate of the A380 remained inescapable, being “phased out as we receive (A350) airplanes... the A350s were also for fleet replacement. So, the A380s will have to be taken off gradually over a couple of years time.”
“Out of the 10 (A380s) only eight are now back in service,” he added. “Two are still on the ground, which we don’t intend to use.”
Up next for the Gulf carrier’s globe-striding fleet will be the long-delayed delivery of the Boeing 777-9, which is now looking like a 2026 proposition.
Those 777-9s will be crowned by a new Qsuite which CEO Akbar Al Baker has described to Executive Traveller as “a huge enhancement of the current Qsuite.”
“People now are all booking on QR because of the Qsuite,” Al Baker added, saying “it’s a brand that is now really known to everybody.”
As previously reported, Oneworld partner Qantas will put its own A380s out to pasture from 2032-2033 – the same timeline as Emirates’ A380 retirement – with a fleet of Airbus A350-1000s taking over key long-range international routes to London and the USA.
Read more: Qantas to retire A380 from 2032, replace with A350
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2015
Total posts 26
If I recall, Qatar Airways recently commented about trying to secure authority to operate additional flights to Australia but seemed to be having trouble getting over that hurdle. I know their CEO doesn't seem too fond of them but wouldn't they not prefer to keep them flying to at least Australia until they were able to operate additional capacity. I don't know how many seats they would loose but it seems like they are giving up a lot of capacity
05 Jun 2023
Total posts 2
I would assume that if they get the flight allowance the 380 would still be around so it's not really a concern for QR.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Mar 2020
Total posts 24
certainly the J class set up on A380 is no where near as nice as the QSuite on the 777 and the lounge does not have a 'bar' like feel as the Emirates one does
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 98
I don't know if it's just me or not, but I love the QR A380 J class seats, i think they're great, spacious, comfortable . The only preference I have against the A380 is if it means more frequency out of MEL, then I'd rather smaller craft more often. Or have both the 380 as well as the frequency!
19 Jan 2018
Total posts 29
Brilliant airline no matter what class you fly. Makes Qantas look like Jetstar…oh I forgot…it already is.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 381
Any news of an A380 with longevity is great news. Recently I’ve seen a few youtube airline reviewers give underwhelming report of QR inflight experience in F class, most recent was on DOH-SYD which took me by surprise. The reviews are very balanced & objective, seems like QR is cutting back A LOT in F on A380 and operating it more like a business class+ service. Hope they reposition it back to dedicated F class now the 380s are staying for longer.
Aegean Airlines - Miles & Bonus
16 Jul 2019
Total posts 26
I totally agree but doubt F will change from its current service style. Effectively the only difference between F and J on the A380 is the hard product. The food is the same as J with plating enhancements and a caviar option - but the candle, bread basket, condiments etc are the same. So is the amenity kit and PJs. The alcohol is slightly better too but the J wines are also decent.
So unless you really want the extra space and exclusivity - QR F on the A380 is not much better than a Q Suite. That said, you do get access to Al Safwa at Doha which may count for something but you can still upgrade from Al Mourjan to Al Safwa for about $100.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
You'd rather sit on an ancient, jet lag classic, poor atmospherics and LOUD 777 just to sit in a Qsuite? Give me the beautifully roomy, quiet A380 with a bar to stretch out in any day of the week. You don't get any better sleep or sitting comfort from the Qsuite than you do from the A380 J seats - albeit less privacy.
24 Jun 2023
Total posts 1
I just flew DOH-PER in A380 F a week ago and it was fantastic, don't believe the clickbaity youtubers.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
You'd rather sit on an ancient, jet lag inducing classic, poor atmospherics and LOUD 777 just to sit in a Qsuite? Give me the beautifully roomy, quiet A380 with a bar to stretch out in any day of the week. You don't get any better sleep or sitting comfort from the Qsuite than you do from the A380 J seats - albeit less privacy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 98
Somewhat agree. I don't have major objections to 777 or the sound, but agree A380 and 787s/350s are quieter. As i previously said i actually like the 380 seats and having flown on qsuite last week for the first time, I'm not sure I understand the hype! It To me there was much less practical storage solutions especially for small things (shelf is too open to items sliding off). And I am not a fan of sitting backwards, it feels all wrong and confusing. And the privacy door would not stay closed - kept on sliding open of it's own free will!! And I found the bed to be uncomfortable - felt like I was sleeping on a bump... Other than that, still love QR service over anything else, especially EK...
02 Sep 2023
Total posts 1
I just completed return Doha - Perth in the A380 last night. I went over J class and was lucky to return F class. I concur with EUtraveller that F class is just a + J class (in the A380 - I have no other F class experience on other QR aircraft to compare) . I made exactly the same observations to my wife last night. Nonetheless, I loved the opportunity to be in the very front. The lavatories are bigger than some people's home ensuites!
I am very happy in J class and a martini after takeoff in the bar is my ritual, no matter what is the time. Most of my QR flying is in the A380 but I have been in other aircraft type Qsuites which I do enjoy. And I find the bed very comfortable in both types of aircraft.
I have flown EK and EY a few times lately but now stick with QR if possible. They have the best in-flight product I have experienced.
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