Qantas A380 information

[glennstewart]

Hi All,

I'm not sure if Qantas is planning to the A380 on their SYD-LAX-JFK route, but just received a link for information about their A380 anyway (without probably a mention of how ticked they are about Airbus and the stupid delays).

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/about/company/A380\

Unfortunately not much in the way of photos :roll: but at least it shows that one is built for Qantas. (** jumping up and down from frustrations with delays **). Here's hoping that Singapore gets their first in November 2006 despite the delays.... then again, I'll be in London when it does it's first flight SIN-SYD :x

Anyone know if JFK is making alterations for the A380?

[Jonesbeach]

My understanding is that JFK is almost done with the alterations required to accommodate the A380. I know taxiways were widened and overpasses were demoed and rebuilt. Also, Terminal 1 built a new gate to allow for the double jet bridges. I'm not sure all this work is finished, but it should be pretty close.

[mirrodie]

AFAIK all the work is fully done. The taxiways were moved 16-20 feet to allow for clearance.

[Nonstop2AUH]

If the gate modifications were at T1, what operator would that be for, Lufthansa? Unless I am missing something that is the only T1 tenant with A380s on order. QF would be at T7 (British Airways) unless they intend to move...

[Jonesbeach]

From what I recall, Terminal 1 is home to the following airlines with A380's on order: Air France (10), Korean (5), Lufthansa (15), and Virgin (6). It looks like they only added one gate right up against the Van Wyck, so I would imagine it's going to be plenty busy at that gate.

[Futterman]

and Virgin (6).

Virgin has been at T4 since 2004. As far as I know, there are (or at least were) plans to modifiy both T1 and T4 for the A380.

It might be a little outdated, but here's s a PDF from the PANYNJ detailing all the modifications:

http://www.ans.dhmi.gov.tr/TR/ATCTR/dok ... %20A380%22

Brian

[Jonesbeach]

Your right. I forgot that Virgin moved over to Terminal 4. Thanks for that link, it was very informative.

Steve

[Nonstop2AUH]

Anyone know if it would be economically efficient for LH or AF to operate A380s to JFK, since in recent years they seem to have downsized many of their NY area services from 747 to something smaller? Also, does A380 have the range to do JFK from Seoul and would there be demand for that many seats on the sector? I want to see a passenger A380 at JFK but I am wondering if the economics are such that we are more likely to see the freighter.

[Iberia A340-600]

As far as I know Lufthansa, Air France, and Virgin Atlantic (possibly Emirates) are the only airlines I know that are planning on sending the A380 to JFK. Two for Terminal 1 and one for Terminal 4.

From what I've heard Qantas plans to use the A380 on the MEL-LAX route as well as the SYD-LAX route and flights to LHR and within Asia. Not sure about JFK. I could see QF107/108 possibly being an A380 at one point but I really don't think Terminal 7 can accomodate one.

[glennstewart]

I think I spoke too soon....

Qantas is meant to be the second airline receiving aircraft. The first was intended originally to be November 2006.

More A380 delays?
AIRCRAFT manufacturer Airbus
isn’t ruling out suggestions that the
first Qantas A380 may not be
delivered until 2008.
QF ceo Geoff Dixon and cfo Peter
Gregg met with Airbus ceo Christian
Streiff last week, amid reports that
the problems of wiring up the giant
plane were worse than expected.
SQ, QF and EK have all selected
different premium cabin layouts and
inflight entertainment systems, and
this is believed to be contributing to
the potential delivery delays,
according to The Australian.
QF recently reported a $104m gain
from Airbus liquidated damages due
to the delays already encountered.

I wonder how much more Qantas will put up with before it cancels the order and switches across to the 747-800.