End of an Era? QF ends A380 operations ex MEL 24 October 2026

[esseeeayeenn]

Aside from Japan and the US domestic widebody flying isn't much of a thing anywhere. Those places have huge populations in comparison

Aside from Australia and the US, 5 hour domestic flights aren't much of a thing anywhere.
Unless you count flights between metropolitan France and La Réunion as domestic.
And Australia is unique in having cities separated by thousands of kilometres of nothing at all.
Even in the US, millions of people live in the so-called flyover states.
These factors limit the relevance and usefulness of such comparisons.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanksfully BA will be starting soon and first out of MEL on a OW airline remains an option.

Note that the demise of QF A380 from MeL just means there is no F class.

QF still operates international out of MEL

Unless you are planning to fly First Class, there is no significant change.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Note that the demise of QF A380 from MeL just means there is no F class.

QF still operates international out of MEL

Unless you are planning to fly First Class, there is no significant change.

This implies that the much touted benefits of the A380 such as the lounge and self-service area are not in fact significant.
I think being able to leave your seat and wander around and sit somewhere else for a while is a significant benefit.
Notwithstanding the fact that on a QF A380 the lounge is using leftover space rather than being a really pleasant social venue as on EK or EY A380s.