Qantas to phase out A380s

[mbe1510]

Qantas has released its FY26 results. There is a line that the A380s will now begin to be retired from calendar year 2028. Will be sad to see the A380s go - really enjoyed flying those roomy planes.

 

[tassie6]

Qantas has released its FY26 results. There is a line that the A380s will now begin to be retired from calendar year 2028. Will be sad to see the A380s go - really enjoyed flying those roomy planes.

Shame, also still negotiating for replacement planes, from the same report:

"Qantas continues to work with Airbus and Boeing on firming up additional A250 and 787 orders to replace these retiring aircraft and meet future growth requirements."

 

[LondonAussie]

Qantas has released its FY26 results. There is a line that the A380s will now begin to be retired from calendar year 2028. Will be sad to see the A380s go - really enjoyed flying those roomy planes.

Agree it’s always been the most comfortable quiet and smooth ride. I don’t get the hype of the 787, I’d choose an A380 any day.

 

[Spacetravel]

Agree it’s always been the most comfortable quiet and smooth ride. I don’t get the hype of the 787, I’d choose an A380 any day.

Completely agree, my only complaint about the a380 is the dated economy cabin, which there is going to be absolutely no plans to refurbish now. Not a fan of the 787 but hopefully the a350 is a comfortable replacement.

 

[mbe1510]

Agree it’s always been the most comfortable quiet and smooth ride. I don’t get the hype of the 787, I’d choose an A380 any day.

As someone who does a lot of flying down the back of the bus. I will try to seek out an A380 for any long-haul travel unless it can't be avoided.

Think the best part is that there is room to stretch your legs regardless of what cabin you fly whereas the 787 or A330 you feel like a bit of pain for standing around the galley.

Lucky Emirates remains committed to them for some time yet.

Big downside as Spacetravel said is that the Y cabin is the same as it was when it debuted in 2008. Really, really showing its age with those screens and arm rests that barely stay up.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree it’s always been the most comfortable quiet and smooth ride. I don’t get the hype of the 787, I’d choose an A380 any day.

There you go I never got the hype of the a380! Much prefer a350/a330, the latter for economy. 787 is fine in premium.

 

[tassie6]

 

[mviy]

I hope LHR is the last destination to lose A380 flights but with the launch of Sunrise I am a bit sceptical of that. Would love to see Classic Reward availability in J/F improve on the A380 flights to LHR

 

[Quickstatus]

A380 retirements brought forward by 4 years starting 2028

Firm orders 12 A350 and 12 B787
Discussions with Airbus and Boeing e converting optinos to firm orders for further 20

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Among the other announcements today, QF has announced the phase out of the A380.
This was one of the few factors which was still tempting me to book QF to Europe.
Being able to pick up the A380 for SIN-LHR made flying PER-SIN-LHR-CDG a viable option.
I've done PER-CDG direct and I'm not a fan.
Especially not on a 787 with no F cabin.
And with a huge J fare premium for the "privilege" of a direct flight.
If I do book with QF this will push me towards a codeshare on EK metal.
Will anyone else change their plans because of this?

 

[Quickstatus]

Will anyone else change their plans because of this?

Some of us have already changed regardless of any QF announcements......
Latest QF announcement is immaterial
Show me the product first, then i will decide. In the meantime........

 

[Keter]

Points upgrades into the F cabin are going to be basically non-existent. It's an old and minor issue, but I really do not know what Qantas will do to encourage people to reach for P1 status. With only six seats, points upgrades into F will go to CL members and the occasional revenue passenger.

 

[Saab34]

I hope LHR is the last destination to lose A380 flights but with the launch of Sunrise I am a bit sceptical of that. Would love to see Classic Reward availability in J/F improve on the A380 flights to LHR

Id imagine they will keep them more local to Singapore or something which will be easier to swap out equipment last minute.

The fleet in its dying years will likely become more unreliable as they don’t commit to large scale engineering fixes and instead opt for short term band aids.

Will the A330s go to other operators or scrapped?

 

[bdl]

"premiumisation"

 

[Saab34]

Seems like they are phasing in more pay hikes for the CEO. Big dollars now. I guess she will do over $100m during her career at QF.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

However people feel about the a380, reliability for qantas was a major issue. So new planes should = a far more reliable schedule and far fewer cancellations. I’d trade those any day over nostalgia.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

However people feel about the a380, reliability for qantas was a major issue. So new planes should = a far more reliable schedule and far fewer cancellations. I’d trade those any day over nostalgia.

If comfort is a feeling, then feelings are very relevant to passenger aircraft preference.
However my preference for travel on an A380 is based on more tangible things.
Primarily spaciousness, and the potential this unleashes for innovation.
However, this is less of an issue because QF never did a very good job of capitalising on the potential of the A380.
Etihad clearly did this best, with the showers, The Residence, the First Apartments and the Lounge (which shall not be called a bar).
Emirates weren't far behind, although the EK F suites are not very spacious.. I believe SQ is also innovative but I haven't experienced it.
By comparison the lounge area on the QF A380 was disappointing, although it improved somewhat in its second iteration.
But the A380 is also the only current aircraft in the QF fleet which has an F cabin.
I fear that the A350s wil never be deployed on Perth routes and we will be stuck with the 787s.
An F cabin might persuade me to reconsider the 17 hour direct flight PER-CDG.

 

[SeatBackForward]

They ought to keep the A380's, refit them into pure Luxury services - like how the Indian Pacific and the Ghan are more an "Experience" than getting from A to B - Cruise Liners in the sky to speak.

 

[Cessna 180]

I am yet to go on a Qantas A380. Once on Emirates which was pretty good. I find it hard to believe how the airspace is getting busier and the airlines overall are going to a smaller plane. Obviously, however, I am not an airline Acountant.

Surely Johannesburg would be the last place they would keep using them? I would like to go there again so we’ll have to get organised sooner rather than later.

My limited experience of the 787 is I cannot see any improvement over a 330

 

[kpc]

I love the A380 esp the premium cabins. It is a shame just about every airline is retiring them except EK.

I have done A380 F on Sq, Ey, Ek, Qf, Tg and Oz...wonderful experiences