Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates.

[sxc]

Interesting to see that the J density increases from 64 seats to 70 seats. Makes me think that had QF chosen something like the cirrus seat from day 1, they could have had higher density and everyone could have had aisle access.

 

[samh004]

I actually prefer Skybeds with the side storage on the A380 than the Qantas Business suites - so for mine it will be a loss except if in First.

So you rate side storage over not having a stranger sleeping next to you, who you have to then hop over?

 

[Kangol]

J will be better indeed, but PE will be worst and no more upper deck in Y. Minimal changes in F. So I'd say it's only good news for J flyers.

Trading a less cramped cabin and no direct aisle access (for one third of passengers) for the opposite may not be a good thing for everyone.
Some people may believe that less space is better; swings and roundabouts it appears.

 

[OATEK]

I have only experienced the new QF J seat on domestic flights, so have no idea what it is like for a good night"s sleep. I generally travel internationally with MrsOatek by my side, so the current QF J seats have never been a problem in terms of privacy, stepping over etc. I had the droopy Mk I seats on a recent 747 flight, but still slept ok. And MrsO loves the side storage.

I must admit though that we have moved away to 1-2-1 carriers mostly in recent time (eg CX, AY) and have enjoyed those very much.

P.S. I know some regular PE users who hope the A380 refit will be more comfortable than the cramped 787 fitout.

 

[moa999]

.
Some people may believe that less space is better; swings and roundabouts it appears.

While the SkyBed2s are a less dense product for Qantas, the additional space is not usable for the customer as it's air space well ahead of you.

Much prefer the more usable storage and mini-desk of the suite, even with the trade-off of the foot cubby.

Based on the leaked seat map upthread, was somewhat surprised that Qantas didn't switch to an alternating aisle and couples pairing for the middle seats, rather than the stagger, given the feedback on lack of couples seats and this feature appearing in other products.

Debate continues on airliners.net as to whether OQE which positioned to DRS overnight is getting the refurb or just maintenance.

 

[downgraded]

P.S. I know some regular PE users who hope the A380 refit will be more comfortable than the cramped 787 fitout

Interesting comment. After the initial 787 PE launch where it wasn't often clear the reviewer or commentator had actually tried the PE seat, I've found it hard to find any PE reviews of substance.
Agree with serfty, whilst I've only done one trans con in the new J seat, I found it very claustrophobic and prefer a well selected (and not droopy) Skybed any day.

 

[Quickstatus]

Interesting comment. After the initial 787 PE launch where it wasn't often clear the reviewer or commentator had actually tried the PE seat, I've found it hard to find any PE reviews of substance.

Most reviews these days result from an invitation from the airline. And it does not take an Einstein to know that reviews which does not paint a pretty pictures risk further invitations in the future. Most of the reviews seem to quote “talking points” provided by the airline. There will be a dearth of economy and premium economy reviews because the airline would prefer the in invitee to be seated in J/F.
It comes down to the independent fare paying passenger to do a proper review

 

[milehighclub]

Interesting. Assume that's new emergency exit procedures for the upper deck plus the new J and PE seats plus any new galley equipment etc.

From an emergency procedure perspective, this is actually pretty straight forward. The company will release what is called a CSO closer to the time. (Cabin Standing Order). This overrides anything that is in the manual. So it will mention where any emergency equipment has been moved too and the new procedures for the plugged door in an emergency. There is no physical face to face training required for EPs.

From a service perspective, this is done online as a course outlining the new seats features, changes to the galleys etc.

Finally, SYD crew have to do a 30 minute manual handling lesson (in person) on reclining the new seats manually. LHR and MEL are already trained on this since they are endorsed on the 787.

Crew have until early August to have this all completed so I can't imagine the first aircraft being online until then otherwise the training completion date would be earlier.

 

[serfty]

So you rate side storage over not having a stranger sleeping next to you, who you have to then hop over?

The coocoon head shells are pretty private and I have no trouble walking past aisle PAX on Skybed mark 2 (unless in row 11).

 

[Kangol]

While the SkyBed2s are a less dense product for Qantas, the additional space is not usable for the customer as it's air space well ahead of you.

Much prefer the more usable storage and mini-desk of the suite, even with the trade-off of the foot cubby.

Different strokes, the perception (or "feeling") of space is one thing vs what is usable.
Not to mention for a "non-aisle" seat (eg 2A), to get out and squeeze past the narrower opening that is noticably less than the actual seat pitch, is not ideal. Personally I have no problems with fitting, but that's not the point of a premium product.
The reverse herringbone-type seats manage to get the best of both worlds...

 

[milehighclub]

I actually prefer Skybeds with the side storage on the A380 than the Qantas Business suites - so for mine it will be a loss except if in First.

Looking at the seatmap, I think the side storage bins are still there. The X on the sides of the seat map correspond with where the current side storages don't open.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Great graphic, thanks for posting.

The two interesting bits for me - I thought all seats now had to be located between doors (ie. you couldn’t build an aircraft with seating forward of the first exit door - hence zone A is behind the first doors on the 380 as opposed to the older 747 design, and that graphic also doesn’t show the rear stairs (are they staying or going??). I also wonder what regulatory hurdles are needed to be appeased to permanently block the Right rearmost Upper door?

My understanding is that you are correct - there now needs to be a form of exit at the front and rear of every cabin (the 747 has been grandfathered - and possibly the likes of the ERJ too?). For the upper deck of the A380 the front and rear stairs will provide this exit rather than a door.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... and the new procedures for the plugged door in an emergency.

Will be interesting to see how they do this. IIRC on the 747 the sealed door was covered by a regular wall panel and just became part of the cabin. You wouldn't even know the door was there.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Debate continues on airliners.net as to whether OQE which positioned to DRS overnight is getting the refurb or just maintenance.

Can confirm this is just maintenance, specifically what Alan Joyce has referred to as a "12C check".

 

[DavidFlynn]

Interesting comment. After the initial 787 PE launch where it wasn't often clear the reviewer or commentator had actually tried the PE seat, I've found it hard to find any PE reviews of substance.

I voluntarily downgraded myself from J to Y+ for most of the overnight leg of the Boeing 787 delivery flight in order to pen this first review at Review: Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner premium economy seat, and the drawbacks of the seat (primarily pitch but also the footrest thingie) were pretty clear then, just as suspected at the hangar launch (First photos: Qantas Boeing 787 premium economy seats). I'd like to think the AusBT reviews of the Boeing 787 premium economy seat on MEL-LAX (Qantas Boeing 787 premium economy (Melbourne-Los Angeles)) and PER-LHR (yes, we chose to do that long leg in premium economy when all other media were in business class, Review: Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner premium economy, Perth-London) were also on point – so I reckon there's a good few instances there where we have actually clocked up a lot of hours in the seat and made an honest assessment of it.

My take is that it's a very good seat per se, apart from the questionable footnet thingie, but has been cruelled by lack of pitch - QF really need to give it another couple of inches.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Based on the leaked seat map upthread, was somewhat surprised that Qantas didn't switch to an alternating aisle and couples pairing for the middle seats, rather than the stagger, given the feedback on lack of couples seats and this feature appearing in other products.

Thompson Aero has added this honeymoon/divorce option for the Vantage XL but my info is that it was too late in the game for that new middle seat option to be restyled by QF. That could be 100% wrong of course, we shall soon see!

 

[woodborer]

Can confirm this is just maintenance, specifically what Alan Joyce has referred to as a "12C check".

I understand this is what is essentially the 'D' check - although A380s don't have D checks, they have varying styles of C check at 3, 6 and 12 years.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Sharing an update: according to Alan Joyce the first of the A380s to be refurb'd heads into the hangar in July, and will be in the air in September.

Qantas Airbus A380 upgrades: first refurb'd bird to fly in September

 

[mviy]

So my next A380 flight (probably next year sometime) may well be on the new design for at least some legs if this schedule sticks.

A shame the PE pitch problem isn’t fixed putting the 787 PE seats on the A380.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Can confirm this is just maintenance, specifically what Alan Joyce has referred to as a "12C check".

Amendment to this: transcription error from the interview, AJ actually said "12 C checks" meaning one C-check per superjumbo. Listening to the tape and Alan's phrasing and accent it's easy to see how the transcriber mistook this.