Just wondering how Qantas plans to use its full fleet of A380's in the future. With the 787's arriving, it seems as though they will be taking over from the 747's in the main, however also seem to be affecting A380 routes as well, such as Melb - Lax etc.
QF currently has 3 787s which is more than enough for a single MEL-LAX service but not enough to do MEL-LAX and MEL-PER-LHR, so it makes sense to have some extra 787 services on MEL-LAX to better utilise the 3rd aircraft. It's also not the peak season so a temporary reduction in A380 services to LAX makes a lot of sense.
From late March, SYD-DXB-LHR will become SYD-SIN-LHR. There will be a MEL-SIN A380 service as well. Whilst MEL-DXB-LHR will be replaced with the MEL-PER-LHR 787 service.
There's speculation that SYD-HKG on the A380 will become year round.
Further down the line QF hopes to fly direct non-stop SYD-LHR. At that point one would expect further A380s will be moved. SYD-SIN will require one A380 whereas SYD-SIN-LHR requires 3 (due to the curfews at both ends).
Perhaps QF will do both MEL and SYD to HKG or perhaps fly from SYD to somewhere other than LAX on the US West Coast (if the A380 can fly there). If demand is strong enough maybe QF will fly the A380 to SFO eventually.
I would have to say SYD-HK and other parts of Asia will be the focus which require only 1 aircraft to be tied up. Places like Johannesburg and Haneda will have 2 aircraft tied up which might not be possible given the routes to the US and UK that they have in place.
I think Qantas would rather drop Johannesburg and Santiago than run an A380 if CASA doesn't pull its finger out, even if it is just to make a point. It's getting a bit silly now that CASA hasn't approved beyond 180 ETOPS. Remember though that the ER's still have plenty of life left though to handle these routes.
Johannesburg will have to go A380 once 747 depart. Doesn’t look like CASA is going to approve 2 engine jet anytime soon.
I don't think QF has asked, but by the time we get the next deliveries, the existing 787s will have been in operation for a while, and they can also point to LAs SYD-AKL-SCL operation.
I could see QF operating a 787 SYD-JNB and PER-JNB to replace a 747 for example.
Johannesburg will have to go A380 once 747 depart. Doesn’t look like CASA is going to approve 2 engine jet anytime soon.
I don't think QF has asked, but by the time we get the next deliveries, the existing 787s will have been in operation for a while, and they can also point to LAs SYD-AKL-SCL operation.
I could see QF operating a 787 SYD-JNB and PER-JNB to replace a 747 for example.
If it was just a matter of the airline asking CASA for ETOPS180+, VA would have asked for their 77W MEL-JNB. Thus VA had to use a 16 hour route instead of a 13 hour route.
I suspect Frankfurt and Paris will be via Perth on a 787 not Singapore on a A380. The rights to Paris is for an effective daily 787 or a 3 days a week A380. Also it is cheaper to hub through Perth.
CDG and FRA are likely to be via PER than SIN. With the 787 to CDG and FRA starting ex-SYD/MEL (or BNE) should Joyce and QF confirm the second tranche of 787 orders.
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New routes for the Qantas Airbus A380 ?
Mjudd
Mjudd
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Member since 14 Dec 2016
Total posts 57
Just wondering how Qantas plans to use its full fleet of A380's in the future. With the 787's arriving, it seems as though they will be taking over from the 747's in the main, however also seem to be affecting A380 routes as well, such as Melb - Lax etc.
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
QF currently has 3 787s which is more than enough for a single MEL-LAX service but not enough to do MEL-LAX and MEL-PER-LHR, so it makes sense to have some extra 787 services on MEL-LAX to better utilise the 3rd aircraft. It's also not the peak season so a temporary reduction in A380 services to LAX makes a lot of sense.
From late March, SYD-DXB-LHR will become SYD-SIN-LHR. There will be a MEL-SIN A380 service as well. Whilst MEL-DXB-LHR will be replaced with the MEL-PER-LHR 787 service.
There's speculation that SYD-HKG on the A380 will become year round.
Further down the line QF hopes to fly direct non-stop SYD-LHR. At that point one would expect further A380s will be moved. SYD-SIN will require one A380 whereas SYD-SIN-LHR requires 3 (due to the curfews at both ends).
Perhaps QF will do both MEL and SYD to HKG or perhaps fly from SYD to somewhere other than LAX on the US West Coast (if the A380 can fly there). If demand is strong enough maybe QF will fly the A380 to SFO eventually.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 731
I think they will be busy on LA, HK, Sing, and LHR and maybe a couple of others (new Beijing airport?) ex Sydney for some time yet.
Luke49
Luke49
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Member since 17 Aug 2017
Total posts 28
Johannesburg will have to go A380 once 747 depart. Doesn’t look like CASA is going to approve 2 engine jet anytime soon.
Mjudd
Mjudd
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Member since 14 Dec 2016
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Johannesburg would be better serviced by a 787 from Sydney, as well as from Melbourne or Perth. I can't see an A380 from Syd-J-burg being viable.
sanj747
sanj747
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Member since 01 Nov 2016
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I would have to say SYD-HK and other parts of Asia will be the focus which require only 1 aircraft to be tied up. Places like Johannesburg and Haneda will have 2 aircraft tied up which might not be possible given the routes to the US and UK that they have in place.
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 272
I think Qantas would rather drop Johannesburg and Santiago than run an A380 if CASA doesn't pull its finger out, even if it is just to make a point. It's getting a bit silly now that CASA hasn't approved beyond 180 ETOPS. Remember though that the ER's still have plenty of life left though to handle these routes.
Ryan K
Ryan K
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Member since 30 May 2013
Total posts 156
I think the issue is that a 2-engine aircraft needs to fly a longer route closer to land and airports. This is party why VA struggled on the route.
moa999
moa999
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I don't think QF has asked, but by the time we get the next deliveries, the existing 787s will have been in operation for a while, and they can also point to LAs SYD-AKL-SCL operation.
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
I don't think QF has asked, but by the time we get the next deliveries, the existing 787s will have been in operation for a while, and they can also point to LAs SYD-AKL-SCL operation.
If it was just a matter of the airline asking CASA for ETOPS180+, VA would have asked for their 77W MEL-JNB. Thus VA had to use a 16 hour route instead of a 13 hour route.
aniljak
aniljak
Member since 15 Sep 2012
Total posts 98
Frankfurt and Paris via Singapore now that they have dropped Dubai. Singapore will most likely return to being the hub for flights.
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 731
I suspect Frankfurt and Paris will be via Perth on a 787 not Singapore on a A380. The rights to Paris is for an effective daily 787 or a 3 days a week A380. Also it is cheaper to hub through Perth.
DanV
DanV
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Member since 04 Nov 2017
Total posts 96
CDG and FRA are likely to be via PER than SIN. With the 787 to CDG and FRA starting ex-SYD/MEL (or BNE) should Joyce and QF confirm the second tranche of 787 orders.