Where is Qantas up to with refurbing the 747s?

[PaulST]

Hi all,
I'm getting mixed messages. On the phone, Qantas told me that all of the 747s have been refurbished but I've been told there's still quite a few routes that routinely have the non-refurb'ed interiors.
So my question is, have Qantas finished refurbishing all of the 747s that they're going to do(leaving a few with the old interior that'll be retired in the next few years), or is it still a work in progress?
And has anything changed with Qantas's recent announcements?

Thanks!

 

[JB83]

According to the Qantas website, 9 747s are refurbished. I read somewhere that is the 6 ERs and 3 more non-ERs. Altogether there are 14 747s in the fleet, and I think that they have refurbished all the ones they were going to refurbish. If I am not mistaken, after the "announcement", all the non-refurbed 747s are being retired.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for the reply.
Slightly off-topic (I imagine this has probably been discussed in another thread) but what do Qantas plan to replace the 747s with? A330s (which they're getting from Jetstar) or 787s when they finally arrive? Obviously they're a lot smaller (have have no PE). Or are there still more A380s coming?

 

[JB83]

The retiring 747s are being replaced by A330s. Qantas said that it would happen in Q1 or FY14/15, and I did read a thread yesterday that people who are flying in October are being informed that their aircraft are being changed. I think in the "announcement" Qantas were saying they are deferring deliveries of the A380, I think there were only 3 more left to be delivered. Otherwise I think the 787s are still being accepted, but for Jetstar.

 

[PaulST]

The new J class in the A330s looks great but I'm somewhat saddened that they're expecting to only fill A330s on routes they used to fill 747s...

 

[moa999]

The A330s from Jetstar are replacing both retiring domestic 767s and international 747s.
However the math seems to suggest their aren't enough to go around and something else - whether it be 777s or 789s will be needed before all the 767/747s go or else there will likely be further route culls.

Also a 'rumour' on pprune today that QF is now looking to sell some A332s

 

[Himeno]

When VH-OQA arrived, QF had 30 744s (inc the 6 ERs).
The 6 ERs and newest 3 744s were refurbed. The other 747s are getting retired.
QF Group has 30 A330s. The JQ coloured 330s are moving back to QF as 787s arrive.
The JQ 330's are replacing the 10ish 747s and some 767s retired in FY13 and 14. Other 767s are being replaced by 737-800s.

QF currently has 12 A380s. They have 8 more on order. Those 8 have been deferred, for the 2nd time.

I can't help but think things wouldn't be quite as bad if the A380 and 787 programs hadn't been delayed.

 

[mannej]

Simple answer is they only ever intended to refurb 9 jumbo's, which have all been refurbed.

 

[sanne]

So, can I now be confident my flight SYD to JNB in May is on a refurbished 747?

 

[mannej]

So, can I now be confident my flight SYD to JNB in May is on a refurbished 747?

No - there is no guarantee unless you are flying on one of the routes needing an ER. A month is a long time in QF speak

 

[eminere]

No - there is no guarantee unless you are flying on one of the routes needing an ER. A month is a long time in QF speak

What are those routes? Besides DFW.

 

[markis10]

What are those routes? Besides DFW.

DFW is the only one, even then it has had an old non refurb once.

 

[zainman]

DFW is the only one, even then it has had an old non refurb once.

markis10, when can we expect a 787 in QF colours?

 

[markis10]

markis10, when can we expect a 787 in QF colours?

When JQ go onto something better I suspect.

 

[zainman]

When JQ go onto something better I suspect.

:-|

QF just doesn't get it...

 

[PaulST]

So, can I now be confident my flight SYD to JNB in May is on a refurbished 747?

Hi Sanne,
I too am flying SYD-JNB later this year (August + Oct) but I've resigned myself to expect the old aircraft. I guess it should come as no surprise that that route isn't given the better plane since there's no other direct competitors and the only other alternatives are longer flights via Perth, Dubai or Singapore. Tis a pity as it looks like my first J experience with QF will be in the Mk1 sky bed (better than Y, but from all accounts, not the best J).
I'm also flying SYD-NRT in December and again I'm expecting the older 747 although I have read a few reports of them using refurb'd ones.

Thanks for the replies. So it seems that the QF call centre person was partially correct. The completed refurbishing all of the 747s they were going to.

 

[PaulST]

:-|

QF just doesn't get it...

It seems unfortunate that the flagship Aussie airline isn't picking up the latest model. Could it have something to do with clever tax dodging?

 

[serfty]

So, can I now be confident my flight SYD to JNB in May is on a refurbished 747?

You can only check seat maps - of course the equipment may change.

For a refurb, row 5 exists in business class or PE is rows 34 to 39 or economy starts in row 43.

 

[amaroo]

OT what is the expected life cycle of a refurbished AC ?

BA have already started retiring 747 that were fitted with NF (new first) a little over three years since they polished them up. Seems like a terribly short period for an economical return!

FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Tracking NF [New First]

 

[moa999]

As for the QF 787 order, Joyce has been pretty clear here, QFi needs to start making money and paying depreciation before it will get capital for new aircraft.
The plan was for that to occur in 2015 but that too has been deferred.