TIL an A330 can fly with a ripped off winglet.

[FlyingKangaroo]

Just spotted at SYD — an A330 (VH-EBJ) with left winglet seemingly ripped off. Airworthy, clearly, as this frame has just pushed back as QF643 to Perth, but this takes “Qantas’ rickety old A330s” to a new level for me.

Meanwhile, on my first A220 in an extra legroom seat and it’s quite lovely.

 

[justinbrett]

Just spotted at SYD — an A330 (VH-EBJ) with left winglet seemingly ripped off. Airworthy, clearly, as this frame has just pushed back as QF643 to Perth, but this takes “Qantas’ rickety old A330s” to a new level for me.

Meanwhile, on my first A220 in an extra legroom seat and it’s quite lovely.View attachment 486508

It was built and delivered without winglets so perfectly fine to fly without it. It’s an aftermarket add on .

 

[Saab34]

It’s an old tired fleet that should be heading to the exit.

 

[Big John]

It’s an old tired fleet that should be heading to the exit.

I still hold AJ responsible for this.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe ‘ripped off’ is a little dramatic?

I thought I noticed a missing winglet a couple months ago, but even though I did a double take I dismissed it at the time.

ITA airways has a similar aircraft flying around… apparently waiting for a replacement part. Loss of revenue for the aircraft out of service supposedly much higher than any fuel burn penalty:

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Maybe ‘ripped off’ is a little dramatic?

What’s the point of a festive lil Qantas beat-up without a sprinkle of drama? Come on, people.

 

[Hvr]

It's obviously an enhancement.

 

[SYD]

“Qantas’ rickety old A330s”

It’s only 17 yo. DL and UA are still flying 27+ yo B757s….!

 

[jb747]

ust spotted at SYD — an A330 (VH-EBJ) with left winglet seemingly ripped off. Airworthy, clearly, as this frame has just pushed back as QF643 to Perth, but this takes “Qantas’ rickety old A330s” to a new level for me.

Sensationalism, much. Or just ignorance.

Flight with one or both winglets removed is allowed on pretty much everything that has them installed. There is a very slight fuel burn penalty.