A380 - Master Thread

[9V-JKL]

Until September 1, SQ306/305 will be operated with the A380. The turnaround times allow flexibility to allow SQ322 to return as SQ305 and SQ306 to return as SQ317. But I think the situation occurred that both LHR redeyes were operated with the same configuration on that particular day itself, which caused a different turnaround time.

I don't think so. Isn't 322/317 the 471 seater whereas 306/305 is the 441 seater.

[ell3]

9V-SKP out of action for 2 months?
9V-SKR is still in AUH?

SKP getting the new stuff?

and what's the story with SKR... why did it go to AUH

[9V-SPL]

SKP getting the new stuff?

and what's the story with SKR... why did it go to AUH

I suppose one (or both) might be getting re-fitted with the new cabin.

9V-SKR probably having maintenance done at AUH. Not the first time an SQ A380 was ferried to AUH for maintenance. 9V-SKP did the same back in April 2017.

[SQfanatic]

I don't think so. Isn't 322/317 the 471 seater whereas 306/305 is the 441 seater.

You may be correct, but SilverKrisSRG mentioned that on that day itself both the LHR redeyes were operated with SKH and SKI, which according to the SQ Fleet thread have the same configuration. The typical schedule is that SQ322/317 have the A380N whereas SQ306/305 get the regular A380 til September 1st. SQ322/317 should remain as the A380N even after September, SQ306/305 will return to a 77WR.

SKP getting the new stuff?

and what's the story with SKR... why did it go to AUH

I would not be surprised if SKP gets retrofitted first. If any, I thought they would start with SKF, which is the first A380 currently in SQ's fleet since SKA-SKE are deleased.

[SQ228]

I suppose one (or both) might be getting re-fitted with the new cabin.

9V-SKR probably having maintenance done at AUH. Not the first time an SQ A380 was ferried to AUH for maintenance. 9V-SKP did the same back in April 2017.

If SKP has had recent maintenance and is back out of service again, it could be that it is the first to be refurbished.

My suspicion is that the SKL-T set will be refurbished first for three reasons:

Firstly, it's a seating balance that has always been more difficult to apply to most routes from the very beginning. 245 Y seats is just not enough for an A380. It's less than an A330 has at 255 and traffic has to be very premium-heavy to justify placing it on any A380 route. Refitting these planes immediately adds 98 Y seats while only losing 8 J seats. That's a lot more revenue coming in off a flight on a high volume route.

Secondly, as the number of non-refubished A380s dwindles toward the end of the 2-year program, the SKF-SKK set are more versatile in which routes they can be placed on for reasons stated above. Premium-heavy routes are also the routes that need to be given the new product sooner. Being left with the SKL-T set unrefitted would mean having to assign the newer A380 product to Y heavy routes and put the older product back on premium-heavy routes.

Thirdly, the route that has been the best fit for SKL-T has been SIN-FRA-JFK, and prior to the A359 to SFO, the SIN-NRT-LAX route. This is largely because those flights had to soak up demand from the previous A345 non-stop flights to EWR and LAX. Now that SIN-JFK passengers are about to be able to go non-stop to EWR again, this will undoubtedly drain off some of the J demand on SQ26/5, which is currently utilising 3 out of 8 of SKL-T. That in itself leads to further speculation that I'm not going to touch on here!

[9V-SPL]

9V-SKE is currently out on air-test as SQ8898.

[flyguy]

SIA todate do not seem to have any of its older A380s going in for a cabin reconfiguration. Wonder if all the 14 A380s refurbishment and seat reconfigurations can be done in the next 3 years.

[ell3]

SIA todate do not seem to have any of its older A380s going in for a cabin reconfiguration. Wonder if all the 14 A380s refurbishment and seat reconfigurations can be done in the next 3 years.

There’s still SKP and SKR away for unknown reasons...are they being reconfigured?

[FN-GM]

Will the ULR have the same 2013 seats as the existing A350s or maybe the same seats as the A380?

[SMK77]

Will the ULR have the same 2013 seats as the existing A350s or maybe the same seats as the A380?

Same seat as the current 2013 A350 Biz but with some additional features. Expect something for enhanced and better sleeping comfort.

[flyguy]

There’s still SKP and SKR away for unknown reasons...are they being reconfigured?

Possibly could be although these 2 are relatively "younger" as is 7.2 years old and 7 years old. There are 4 A380s that are above 9 years and 10 years old and thought these older ones would be the first few to be retrofiited with the new seatings.

[FN-GM]

Possibly could be although these 2 are relatively "younger" as is 7.2 years old and 7 years old. There are 4 A380s that are above 9 years and 10 years old and thought these older ones would be the first few to be retrofiited with the new seatings.

In the past the age of the aircraft hasn't had an impact in the order of retrofit.

[flyguy]

For the A380s, its about time that SIA should consider the age of the aircraft for the new seating configuration and refurbishment, as the older aircrafts are already coming or into their 10th year of service. As otherwise these 10 year old planes will still be flying without the retrofits, whilst the younger planes be done first. And if these older planes are not retrofitted yet then by the time to do so they be in their 12th or 13th year and then by the time they are retired, the new seats will be not used to their economical life span and hence be more costly for SIA.

[SQ228]

For the A380s, its about time that SIA should consider the age of the aircraft for the new seating configuration and refurbishment, as the older aircrafts are already coming or into their 10th year of service. As otherwise these 10 year old planes will still be flying without the retrofits, whilst the younger planes be done first. And if these older planes are not retrofitted yet then by the time to do so they be in their 12th or 13th year and then by the time they are retired, the new seats will be not used to their economical life span and hence be more costly for SIA.

The all upper-J version of the A380 has always been less versatile. For commercial and operational reasons, I'm expecting the newer set to be refurbished first.

[pulvardon]

Couldn't see a recent post - has LHR gone daily on the new A380 yet? If so, which flight numbers?