Qantas has 12 Airbus A380s in their fleet. The airline has been satisfied, though not thrilled, with these planes. That's to say that Qantas has been flying them for many years now, and has no plans to retire them. As a matter of fact, Qantas will be refreshing these planes soon, as they're installing a…
Continue reading: Not Surprising: Qantas Formally Cancels A380 Order
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I’d love to know readers’ thoughts on whether the cancellation of the A380 programme COULD (operative word there) breathe new life into the 747-800 one? Could Boeing wage there will still be room for one big beast moving forward?
I will mourne the day when there are no more double decker beasts in the skies.
@Trent, I highly doubt the 747-8 will be revived. The reasons why there is little interest in the A380 also apply to the 747-8. Twin engine planes are the future, as they are more efficient and have lower operational cost. Many of us have nostalgia for these big planes, and they have the potential to provide a better passenger experience, but unfortunately neither of those make enough of a dent on the bottom line for airlines.
What I never understood, is why the 747-8 hasn't been changed into a twin engine with new GE9X monsters hanging from the wings.
Be cool to see Jetstar end up with 1 or 2 A380's for a few routes if they could ever of made it work.
SYD to HNL/DPS/SIN or something for example...
I love the A380. I think its the most interesting plane flying right now.
Not only does it give the feel of a lot more space, but it offers amenities other airplane types cannot.
I personally feel it does handle turbulence better as well, but that's just me.
I will really miss it when I can't jump on one of these.
The timing of this is rather late since they stated that the A380 has not been in their long term plans for some time. Not surprised that just about every other buyer is bailing on this beast. I’m sure there are A380 fans out there but frankly the two times I’ve flown them (AF in J), it was disappointing. It took 70 minutes for my bag to show up on the carousel amid the other 500+ passenger bags. It’s just too many passengers for my comfort level. I’ll take an A330 or 787 any day over this thing.
Qantas needs to get a new bunch of fleet planners! They haven't got their fleet right for over 20 years. Only recently got 787 more than 10 years after other airlines. Marketing out here in Australia that its new technology!!!!!!
there history woith ordering wrong types is astounding! 747SP for Wellington services just so they could claim they were only all 747 airline!
Now they are desperately looking for something to serve asian destinations. They got rid of the popular 767-300 and were forced to cut services as only had 747s to replace them which were too big to serve most routes.
Old A330s are being dragged off domestic service (resulting in downgrading of transcontinental flights to 737s!) to serve Asia and New Zealand competing against modern 777s andA 350s.
Even former Qantas CEO's are now saying they made a huge mistake not ordering 777s twenty years ago.
Qantas should have changed order from A380 to A350 and tried to get asap
most likely a "tactical move" by QF to help negotiate an eventual better deal on the 350 Ultra Long Haul doing SYD/JFK etc. Yes, they will supposedly reflect the "charge" of the cancellation on their books - FOR NOW - but it would also show Airbus they need to offer a sweet deal to QF if they want them to go for the 350 over the 777X .....
No surprise and I'm surprised they didn't time it with an aircraft order like Hawaiian did but as a 6'6" person who just flew the 17 hours from DFW-SYD on an A380 in coach, I love the A380. It's such a comfortable, quiet, and great flying experience. You have to marvel at the incredible engineering of this beast of a plane. Qantas actually gives coach passengers decent quality. I haven't felt that much cushion on a coach seat in at least five years. The A380's days are numbered but until then, I'll fly them whenever I can.
I love the A380. It's the only commercial aircraft that allows me to stretch my legs from time to time in any class I am flying. Also in it's upper deck, it's the only Emirates plane that allows premium seats to have individual access. That wouldn't be the case in its B777's for business class.
However the excitement has come to an end because from its order peak in 2013 the last ones were in 2018 with a delivery of just 12. 2019 shows 8 cancellation and zero deliveries. For me it's pretty clear it's just a matter of time the production will stop and Boeing won't be replacing that gap since in 2017 was about to deliver its last two orders, if I am not mistaken the last one was for Korean. So it is pretty clear, there's little space in the future for jumbo jets.