Executive Traveller reported that Qantas will bring back the Airbus A380 and will also introduce first class.
The pandemic has been a major problem for the A380. However, we have good news recently, with news that British Airways and Qatar Airways will all be bringing back the A380 within the next few weeks.
Qantas A380 will fly to LAX starting March 2022
Qantas has announced that the Airbus A380 will be returning to Sydney and Los Angeles starting March 27, 2022. With the following schedule, the Airbus A380 is expected operate the flight daily:
QF11 Sydney to Los Angeles departing 10:15AM arriving 6:00AM
QF12 Los Angeles to Sydney departure at 9:55PM, arrival at 6:55AM (+2 Days)
The flight covers approximately 7,500 miles and is currently blocked at 13hr45min Eastbound and 15hr Westbound. This rotation will require at least two A380s, as you can see.
Qantas is experiencing a sharp increase in transpacific flight bookings, and the decision to bring back A380 coincides with plans by the country to reopen. Australia will allow residents who have been vaccinated to leave the country starting in November 2021. Several states will also be able to remove the quarantine requirement when they return home.
Although we don't know the exact date Australia will allow foreigners to become vaccinated, I believe it won't be too far away.
Qantas will bring back the A380 early in 2022
When will other Airbus A380s be back in service?
Qantas had 12 Airbus A380s in its fleet, so what is the plan for the remaining planes?
As of November 2022, three more A380s will be operating flights to London via Singapore.
Five additional A380s will be returning by 2024
Two of the 12 Airbus A380s are being retired
These schedules are subject to change. If Australia's current reopening plans are implemented, I think the A380 launch to Los Angeles in March 2022 is very realistic. If we are talking about 2022 or 2024, those plans seem a lot more fuzzy than they are now.
Qantas is also bringing back first and refreshed cabins
Qantas Airbus A380s will be returning to service with fully refreshed cabins. This includes a slight refresh of first class seats and the addition of new entertainment screens.
Qantas A380 first class
Also, this configuration includes staggered Vantage XL business class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration (similarly to Qantas 787 Business Class), as opposed to the 2-2-2 configuration.
Qantas A380 business class
Business class passengers will also find a brand new lounge onboard.
Qantas A380 onboard lounge
The cabin in the premium economy is larger than ever and has undergone a complete renovation. It is located on the lower deck.
Qantas A380 premium economy
It is worth noting that the A380 is Qantas' only aircraft to offer first class. Therefore, the reintroductions of the A380 and A380 will also bring back first class. Although Qantas first-class product is quite good, it does not rank among the best first class products anywhere in the world.
Qantas has excellent first-class lounges that are open well before the A380 returns to service. These lounges are available to oneworld Emerald members.
Qantas First Lounge Sydney
Bottom line
Qantas will resume Airbus A380 flight operations as soon as March 2022. The plane was originally scheduled to fly daily between Sydney, Los Angeles and Sydney. Three more A380s will be back in service by November 2022. Five additional A380s will return by the beginning of 2024.
This all comes as Australia prepares to allow vaccine-vaccinated citizens to return home. Australia now needs to be open to tourists.
I am thrilled to hear this news. Hopefully, some former A380 pilots will be able to fly planes again instead of driving buses.
What do you think of Qantas's return to the A380?
