Qantas A380 refurbishment news and updates

[Melburnian1]

The ‘spare’ A388 VH-OQC still in LAX has just popped up squawking flight number 999999, an unusual variation if in fact a test flight is in the offing. Time will no doubt tell…

If FR24 is correct, as at 0730 AEDT on Sunday 14 December, A388 VH-OQC still hasn't moved from Los Angeles.

 

[Melburnian1]

As at 1300 AEDT on Thursday 17 December 2025 (1800 PST Wednesday 16), refurbished "spare" A388 VH-OQC remains in Los Angeles.

It's coming up for 10 days since the plane arrived in LAX with its missing slat. Either repairs are taking longer than expected, QFi has determined flying it empty back to Sydney is low priority, or QFi lacks the staff to bring it back across the Pacific.

 

[RSD]

As at 1300 AEDT on Thursday 17 December 2025 (1800 PST Wednesday 16), refurbished "spare" A388 VH-OQC remains in Los Angeles.

You keep reminding us every day!

 

[markis10]

You keep reminding us every day!

It’s called post padding, and deliberately ignoring the edit button

 

[RSD]

It’s called post padding, and deliberately ignoring the edit button

One or all of the above - all we need to know is when it is on the move rather than that day after day it hasn't - i'm sure glad that he wasn't posting about that Air India 737-200 that they somehow forgot and left parked at Kolkata for 13 years!

 

[Melburnian1]

You keep reminding us every day!

Sunday to Thursday is not "every day."

Just as I don't read every thread, or comment, it's optional for you.

QFi's spokesman definitively said it'd be flying a week ago: this has not occurred, so some may wish to know. If you have information, share it.

There was a huge song and dance re this aircraft's return after '100,000 hours of work' that resulted in 'free' media for QFi, no doubt from journalists who can't wait for their next J class freebie, so it ought be a matter of interest why the plane appears to remain grounded.

 

[TheMoose]

100,000 hours plus a few more hundred no doubt, and A388 VH-OQC returned to SYD as a ferry flight yesterday, and today has departed as QF11 SYD-LAX. Hopefully it’s time in the hangar has fixed everything the first 100,000 hours didn’t.

 

[D747]

There is a Qantas A380 currently undergoing wing crack inspections: VH-OQI. It was swept up in an emergency airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding wing mid spar cracks. The aircraft is currently in Dresden Germany for heavy maintenance.

 

[markis10]

There is a Qantas A380 currently undergoing wing crack inspections: VH-OQI. It was swept up in an emergency airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding wing mid spar cracks. The aircraft is currently in Dresden Germany for heavy maintenance.

Given she has been in Dresden since early march, one could speculate she was the cause of the ead

 

[elanshin]

QF1 just went tech today. Flow on means no QF2 on Tuesday (whichbmy partner just got the text about it being cancelled).

 

[Quickstatus]

VH-OQI. It was swept up in an emergency airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding wing mid spar cracks.

Yes affecting specifically one QF A380 and 15 EK A380
5 EK A380 needed immediate inspection (apart from ferry to maintenance port)

The manufacturing serial numbers:
5 immediate: 190, 202, 203, 209, 228
The other 11: 30, 42, 55, 56, 105, 142, 184, 187, 208, 227, 234

QF is 55

The second group are among the oldest by age in the A380 fleet( 9-16 years). VH-OQI is about 16 years.
The immediate group are actually the younger group on average 9-11yrs
No information about landing takeoff cycles.