Last 747 reconfig done

[markis10]

The last bird left AVV yesterday for BNE to operate QF51, VH-OJT, where she promptly went U/S (as in Unservicable - not USA) , adding to the already existing issues with SIN bound aircraft as the A380 fleet try to recover some long delays on the kangaroo route.

 

[brett-au]

So.. does SIN-FRA still has the old config and its likely to stay this way? Or have all the 747 internationals been done now?

 

[ozmille]

So.. does SIN-FRA still has the old config and its likely to stay this way? Or have all the 747 internationals been done now?

Unfortunately enough yes :-( I have QF6 booked next year and fully expect it to be the old bird

 

[yohy?!]

anyone got an idea on how long till they retire all the 747s now - i seem to recall hearing it's not long...

 

[mannej]

anyone got an idea on how long till they retire all the 747s now - i seem to recall hearing it's not long...

Only the older ones.

 

[moa999]

So according to Planespotters - down to 18 747 left.
Qantas Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation

I think we know what replaces the 747s that were refurbed:
A380 #13/14 were deferred to 2016/2017
A380 #15-20 from 2018/2019

But how does Qantas get down to just those refurb birds in the mean time.
A330s from Jetstar
New A330 - but think EBV is it for a while
More route reductions ??

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

So according to Planespotters - down to 18 747 left.
Qantas Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation

I think we know what replaces the 747s that were refurbed:
A380 #13/14 were deferred to 2016/2017
A380 #15-20 from 2018/2019

But how does Qantas get down to just those refurb birds in the mean time.
A330s from Jetstar
New A330 - but think EBV is it for a while
More route reductions ??

Considering A380 13-20 will be 3 class birds, what are they doing about the 747 4-class routes still being sold like SYD-HKG (4 days per week)? If they aren't being refurbished, are we going to see old F kicking around for a while yet?

I note they're still selling F on 747 SYD-HKG up to late next year. I'm booked on a few

 

[ajw373]

So according to Planespotters - down to 18 747 left.
Qantas Fleet Details and History - Planespotters.net Just Aviation

I think we know what replaces the 747s that were refurbed:
A380 #13/14 were deferred to 2016/2017
A380 #15-20 from 2018/2019

But how does Qantas get down to just those refurb birds in the mean time.
A330s from Jetstar
New A330 - but think EBV is it for a while
More route reductions ??

Must admit this is the thing that I have never followed too. Many people said the 787, but for the most part Qantas had made it clear those were to replace 767's, so yes there is a rather large hole. Likewise if the new A380's replace the 9 747's that are being kept there will then be a massive capacity gap between the A330-300 (or even 787 if they got them) and the A380.

 

[moa999]

Considering A380 13-20 will be 3 class birds,

They were going to be that before they were deferred.
At this point I would now say config unknown... I suspect not even Qantas knows what seatmix (or indeed what seats) will be installed for a late-2016 delivery.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

They were going to be that before they were deferred.
At this point I would now say config unknown... I suspect not even Qantas knows what seatmix (or indeed what seats) will be installed for a late-2016 delivery.

Still, 747s with old F until 2016? It's hardly F by today's standards, let alone by 2016.

 

[moa999]

But that was my original point.
QF said they were refurbing 9 aircraft and the rest (ie those still with F) will be retired in the short-term

My "presumption" was this would be by 2014 - but then the only replacement aircraft seem to be A330s from when Jetstar gets 787s next year which is a shrink in capacity, or indeed further route reductions.
Then I would expect those "refurbed" aircraft would be the ones retired as the 2017-2020 A380s come on line.

Planespotters says Jetstar AU has 11 A330s so maybe that is the plan - replace the 9 retiring 747s with 11+1 330s over the period 2013/2014
Unless there is a hidden order for a 777/350/747-8 or some 787-8s do come QFs way

If so, one would hope there is a replacement for the SkybedI in the QF A330s, or the regional J seats in JQs fleet.

 

[ajw373]

Still, 747s with old F until 2016? It's hardly F by today's standards, let alone by 2016.

Maybe they will keep the F seats but sell as a 3 class product. Or indeed maybe do a minor refurb and rip out the F seats and put in some of the Skybed MKI seats they have removed from other a/c.

 

[eric2011]

What about as a gap fill get some cast-offs from Emirates once we are in bed with them

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Maybe they will keep the F seats but sell as a 3 class product. Or indeed maybe do a minor refurb and rip out the F seats and put in some of the Skybed MKI seats they have removed from other a/c.

Except, as I said, they are selling F on the 747 up until Sep next year (possibly further, I've not looked). QF also confirmed F to stay on this route, hence new Flounge, closure of SIN (stupidity IMO).

I think it unlikely we'll see a daily A380 on SYD-HKG as it would have to come from somewhere else.

 

[madrooster]

Except, as I said, they are selling F on the 747 up until Sep next year (possibly further, I've not looked). QF also confirmed F to stay on this route, hence new Flounge, closure of SIN (stupidity IMO).

I think it unlikely we'll see a daily A380 on SYD-HKG as it would have to come from somewhere else.

SYD-HKG daily only requires 1 aircraft so it is possible to do it with their current fleet of 12 (once the reconfigs/maintenance in FRA are done).

 

[samh004]

Considering A380 13-20 will be 3 class birds, what are they doing about the 747 4-class routes still being sold like SYD-HKG (4 days per week)? If they aren't being refurbished, are we going to see old F kicking around for a while yet?

I note they're still selling F on 747 SYD-HKG up to late next year. I'm booked on a few

They were going to be that before they were deferred.
At this point I would now say config unknown... I suspect not even Qantas knows what seatmix (or indeed what seats) will be installed for a late-2016 delivery.

I'd also agree it's early days on this "A380 no F" idea, because if things go smoothly with EK, there's no point receiving further A380's without F in them, as that'll create issues with their partner. And who knows, by the time they need to make a decision the global economies and all that jazz may have changed again, who knows in which direction.

 

[scaredeycat]

Does anyone know what the plan is for SYDNEY-NRT? They seem to reserve their oldest birds for this route.

 

[Canny man]

I've just booked QF22 from Tokyo in Jan and I've been able to select a J seat in the old F config front cabin.
A last blast in 1k will be fun

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

SYD-HKG daily only requires 1 aircraft so it is possible to do it with their current fleet of 12 (once the reconfigs/maintenance in FRA are done).

I hope you're right and my HKG flights magically upgrade from 744 to 388!

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Does anyone know what the plan is for SYDNEY-NRT? They seem to reserve their oldest birds for this route.

If it were my decision, I'd probably put a 3-class A330 on that route (with skybed mkII - should that be possible), then reinstate the 747 on the SIN route. The loads to SIN would be vastly superior to NRT.
A perfect fit for a 777 or 787 I would have thought...