A380 - Master Thread

[sbs2716g]

Seem like SQ308 is scheduled to get the version3 A380 from Oct 2020 (no actual seating plan being loaded though). This will allow 3 A380 to run SQ308/336 which will be more efficient as compared to 2 A380 performing SQ336 with long layover time in SIN

seem like once SKT is ready, another version 2 A380 will go for refit in January (SKN should be undergoing refit been out for 2 months).

[sbs2716g]

And SIA announce it will use the A380 ver 3 to fly to Auckland from October 2020. Not sure if there be 2 more reconfigured A380s by then.

They are using the Version 3 A380 from Tokyo. SQ638/637 get 77W instead.

[flyguy]

And SIA announce it will use the A380 ver 3 to fly to Auckland from October 2020. Not sure if there be 2 more reconfigured A380s by then.

[MainlyMiles]

Still no news on SKT?

No movement yet. With The A380v3 still showing in GDS on existing routes plus NRT (SQ638) from 01/01/20, the latest SKT must be in service is 01:30 SIN time on 02/01/20 (to operate SQ346 to ZRH).

That's the first time in the schedule all 7 A380v3 aircraft are planned to be in use (by 2am SIN time on 2/1 all 7 aircraft will be in the air apparently, after SQ423 departs BOM).



If it's not ready they will have to swap at least one flight to a different aircraft.

[flyguy]

For the past year or so, SQ actually have been operating on average only 17 of their 19 A380s. As have mentoned before given that only one of the earlier 14 A380 have been reconfigured in 7 months whilst the other seems to be still missing somewhere on the refit, it will take SQ 2-3 years to refit its entire older fleet. And hence its might as well just reduce its size of the fleet.

[nocturne]

I think the average SQ fleet age will still remain relatively low with the new A350, 787, 777X and 737 deliveries in the coming years to negate the older A380 fleet. SQ would probably operate the A380s for longer than other aircraft types given their significant investment coupled with the lack of a secondary market...unless they strike a deal with Airbus to sell the fleet back along with new aircraft orders.

With the wings fixed, I don't see an issue as long as maintenance doesn't flag any issues. Costs would not come from operating them as much as maintaining them, especially with stuff like 'D' checks.

As you mentioned, the maintenance is a huge concern and costs are pretty much unknown. There are probably niche routes which A380 can still support, but it is likely that once the 777X is deliveried, the operating cost difference will be significant.

It will be interesting to see what SQ decides esp in view of the recent retrofit delays. I personally cant see them operating the oldest A380 beyond 20 yrs (which they have to if they do a retrofit).

[Jumbojet Lover]

SQ which prides itself on flying a young fleet, cant have multiple A380s that are above 20 yrs old in the fleet. Also given all the new issues we are seeing in with the wings, it will be risky and costly to operate them well beyond their age.

I think the average SQ fleet age will still remain relatively low with the new A350, 787, 777X and 737 deliveries in the coming years to negate the older A380 fleet. SQ would probably operate the A380s for longer than other aircraft types given their significant investment coupled with the lack of a secondary market...unless they strike a deal with Airbus to sell the fleet back along with new aircraft orders.

With the wings fixed, I don't see an issue as long as maintenance doesn't flag any issues. Costs would not come from operating them as much as maintaining them, especially with stuff like 'D' checks.

[nocturne]

My personal take is that they should reduce the fleet and eventually look to retire it by 2030.

The current oldest aircraft is SKF which was brought in Sep'08 (another 5 which are 10 yrs and above). Given the time they are taking to do SKS retrofitting, it will likely be another 2-3 yrs before they can start on SKF.

SQ which prides itself on flying a young fleet, cant have multiple A380s that are above 20 yrs old in the fleet. Also given all the new issues we are seeing in with the wings, it will be risky and costly to operate them well beyond their age.

[sbs2716g]

Pretty much seems like they aren’t expecting any new additions to the V3 fleet, based on the current fleet commitment for 2020.
QF has already been sending their A380s in one by one. Over the course of 1yr,

SQ completed only 1x SKS and stalled at SKT. I’m getting more and more doubtful of their plans.

Think SKN is also undergoing refitting. Out for around 50 days since 20/10.
Seem like they are facing some difficulties in refitting.

[MainlyMiles]

So is AKL getting the version 3 A380 for Winter 2020?

Yes it appears so, as SQ285 from 25/10 (and consequently SQ286 from 26/10).

However the A380v3 config has only been loaded in GDS until 01/11 for now, after which A380v1 config is still showing. Capacity is capped at F6 on all dates so far in the W20/21 season however, so it seems like a done deal.

[ell3]

Pretty much seems like they aren’t expecting any new additions to the V3 fleet, based on the current fleet commitment for 2020.
QF has already been sending their A380s in one by one. Over the course of 1yr,

SQ completed only 1x SKS and stalled at SKT. I’m getting more and more doubtful of their plans.

[sbs2716g]

SQ638/637 NRT changing from A380v3 to B77W from 25/10/20.

Filtering through to GDS now but they've been capping it at F4 for a while.

So is AKL getting the version 3 A380 for Winter 2020?

[MainlyMiles]

SQ638/637 NRT changing from A380v3 to B77W from 25/10/20.

Filtering through to GDS now but they've been capping it at F4 for a while.

[pokfur]

As a consequence, the ZRH route SQ345/346 reverts to A380 Version 1 for those two months.

Tragic. It's not even a newly refurbished aircraft that's gonna operate it.

[MainlyMiles]

LHR goes 3 x daily A380 again in July and August 2020 for the peak holiday period, with SQ305/306 upgauging from 77W.

This year a Version 3 aircraft will be used with new 2017 Suites and Business Class. That means there will be two A380v3s flying this route with very similar timings each day (SQ322 and SQ306 overnight to London and SQ305 and SQ317 back to Singapore).

As a consequence, the ZRH route SQ345/346 reverts to A380 Version 1 for those two months.