Qantas' New A321XLR

[HS-TQE]

2035 isn’t far away. They only operated their A330s for 7 years so a cabin refresh and wifi installation isn’t going to stop them moving on. Especially if they get moved back to QF like their A330s.

Don't think the 788s has ever served QF mainline.

They were basically JQ from the start, thus a move to QF mainline in its twilight years is possible.

 

[justinbrett]

Don't think the 788s has ever served QF mainline.

They were basically JQ from the start, thus a move to QF mainline in its twilight years is possible.

I didn’t mean to imply they did. But like the A330s they could be used by QF post JQ where the increased costs with old aircraft isn’t as important.

 

[Saab34]

I think early build 788s won’t go on too long. Remains to be seen but I doubt they will enter a second heavy check at the 20-25 year mark and will probably be used for parts.

 

[markis10]

I think early build 788s won’t go on too long. Remains to be seen but I doubt they will enter a second heavy check at the 20-25 year mark and will probably be used for parts.

First D checks are just starting so they have at least 12 years and go through to 2039, at which time QF will probably announce they are acquiring 11 "midlife" 787s for NJS

 

[justinbrett]

I think early build 788s won’t go on too long. Remains to be seen but I doubt they will enter a second heavy check at the 20-25 year mark and will probably be used for parts.

I very much doubt that. That is well short of their expected lifespan.

Perhaps QFg won’t want to continue with them but if the aircraft market is anything like it is now, someone will buy them.

Most of QF’s 767s are still flying.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

The 788 will be with JQ for many years to come. The A321XLR will see some 788 flying moved over but routes like Bangkok from east coast will stay 787 and there will be some potential for new markets like Australia to India in particular I see them going to in the future.

 

[moa999]

With the 788 refit you'd assume they are targeting longer routes, so I'd expect more China and India,
With the 321LRs and later 321XLRs taking over some of the shorter routes

 

[elanshin]

I very much doubt that. That is well short of their expected lifespan.

Perhaps QFg won’t want to continue with them but if the aircraft market is anything like it is now, someone will buy them.

Most of QF’s 767s are still flying.

We'll see how JL and NH handle their early 788s. There are talks of then retiring some as they weren't built very well compared to latter ones.

 

[justinbrett]

We'll see how JL and NH handle their early 788s. There are talks of then retiring some as they weren't built very well compared to latter ones.

They would have a very high cycle count I assume?

JQ’s should be very low in comparison.

 

[elanshin]

They would have a very high cycle count I assume?

JQ’s should be very low in comparison.

I'm pretty sure most of the OG ones were deployed on long haul missions (like Transpacific) so there's a chance JQ birds have more cycles.