reconfigured 747 on domestic serivce?

[paxman]

flying syd/mel on 22nd with a flight number above 400 (sorry dont have actual flight no.). Looks like reconfigured 747 (A380 configuration) being put into domestic trials. Checked with a csm friend of mine, but has no info. Has anyone heard when the trials are beginning? Have fond memories of the the domestic trials for the skybeds. Does anyone else remember those days?

paxman

 

[NM]

I assume the only difference will be the new W (premium economy) cabin.

I also expect the 747 operating that route is more to provide extra capacity for the various football finals being played that weekend rather than anything to do with aircraft trials. What would they need to "trial" about the new seating config?

 

[Standby]

On 22 Sep there is a flight QF1121 (QF adhoc flights seem to be 4 digit numbers vs 3 digit for scheduled services) is a 743. They seem to use at least 1 per day to/from PER-SYD and the same on MEL-PER.
I agree looks like positioning the SYD-PER aircraft to add cap for PER-MEL GF fans...they better hope the West Coke Eagles make it or the'll be pretty drafty onboard

 

[oz_mark]

On 22 Sep there is a flight QF1121 (QF adhoc flights seem to be 4 digit numbers vs 3 digit for scheduled services) is a 743. They seem to use at least 1 per day to/from PER-SYD and the same on MEL-PER.
I agree looks like positioning the SYD-PER aircraft to add cap for PER-MEL GF fans...they better hope the West Coke Eagles make it or the'll be pretty drafty onboard

They probably decided to organise extra capacity this year early based on bookings and trends at the time. If they are empty they will probably cancel a few and move people onto other flights. Easier to do it this way than to scramble and find aircraft a week or two before the event.

I can't imagine that they will be reconfiguring any 743's

 

[serfty]

I guess there may be one doing a turnaround -
QF1121 is a 743 - SYDMEL 0645 0815
QF420 is a 743 MELSYD 0930 1050

 

[simongr]

I can't imagine that they will be reconfiguring any 743's

Isn't one of the drivers for the A380 so that they can retire the 743s?

 

[markis10]

Isn't one of the drivers for the A380 so that they can retire the 743s?

A couple of the 743's have already been retired.

 

[serfty]

Qantas originally had 6 of these, VH-EBT/EBU/EBV/EBW/EBX/EBY

EBU has been sitting at AVV since Feb 2005 and is being used for spare parts. EBT was sent for storage in January this year.

The others are being used for Oz Tanscons, the odd Charter, occasionally scheduled as a substitute for some transpacific flights, etc.

 

[NM]

No 743s will be reconfigured. They will be retired when sufficient capacity is available to replace them.

 

[oz_mark]

Qantas originally had 6 of these, VH-EBT/EBU/EBV/EBW/EBX/EBY

EBU has been sitting at AVV since Feb 2005 and is being used for spare parts. EBT was sent for storage in January this year.

The others are being used for Oz Tanscons, the odd Charter, occasionally scheduled as a substitute for some transpacific flights, etc.

+ the SYD-PER-JNB flight reappearing this summer.