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The first of Qantas’ upgraded A380 takes to the skies

The first of Qantas’ upgraded A380s welcomed its first passengers today, delivering a new level of comfort for customers traveling on the national carrier’s largest aircraft.

The multimillion-dollar upgrade of 12 aircraft includes new seating across expanded Business and Premium Economy cabins and a refresh of the aircraft’s First and Economy seating. The on-board lounge has also been redesigned.

Smarter use of space has created an all premium class upper deck (now occupied by Business and Premium Economy) and an expanded on-board lounge. There are now 30 fewer Economy seats and an increase in premium seating by 27 per cent.

Premium Economy
Business-class
Premium Ex
First class
First Class
Economy class

Key elements of the upgrade include:

  • The introduction of the Qantas Business Suite, replacing the previous Skybeds, in a 1:2:1 configuration that now gives aisle access to every passenger.
  • The installation of the new Premium Economy seat (first debuted on the Qantas Dreamliner) and increasing the number of seats from 35 to 60.
  • A larger on-board lounge space with seating for up to 10 Business and First passengers.
  • An update to the 14 First Class Suites with new contoured cushioning, seat finishes and a larger, higher resolution entertainment screen.
  • A new colour palette for the Economy cabin and improved inflight entertainment.

The first reconfigured aircraft, VH-OQK, will operate as QF2 from London to Sydney via Singapore, arriving in Australia on Wednesday 2 October.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the mid-life upgrade of the A380 would ensure its status as one of the most popular aircraft with customers.

“The A380 is a crucial part of our long-haul fleet and this upgrade program will see customers enjoy everything the aircraft has to offer for years to come,” said Mr Joyce.

“It also provides an increase in Business and Premium Economy seating to help match the demand we’re seeing on our long-haul routes.

“Working with Airbus, we’ve been able to use the cabin space more efficiently and improve the economics of the aircraft while also providing a better experience in every part of the aircraft.

“By the end of this upgrade, we’ll have next-generation seating across our entire long-haul fleet of A380s, A330s and 787s.”

A further two A380 aircraft are expected to undergo refurbishment before the end of 2019.

Each aircraft takes approximately eight weeks to upgrade.

The capacity of Qantas A380s after the upgrade will be: 14 First Suites (unchanged), 70 Business Suites (up by six), 60 Premium Economy (up by 25) and 341 Economy (down by 30) for a total of 485 passengers (up by one).

More details of the onboard service will be revealed at a hangar event in Sydney on Wednesday, 2 October.

Qantas expects to complete the refurbishment of the remaining 11 aircraft by the end of 2020.

Aviation

Flames on the Runway: Russian Jet Sparks Emergency in Turkey

A dramatic incident unfolded at Turkey’s Antalya Airport on Sunday night when a Russian passenger plane caught fire shortly after landing.

The Azimuth Airlines Sukhoi Superjet 100, arriving from Sochi International Airport in Russia, was carrying 89 passengers and six crew members. Thankfully, all onboard were safely evacuated without any injuries reported.

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The fire broke out after the aircraft landed at 9:34 p.m. local time, prompting the pilot to issue an emergency call. Evacuation footage shared by Russian media site ЧП Сочи captured the tense moments as passengers slid down emergency slides, with some seen carrying large pieces of luggage despite the urgency of the situation.

Investigators at the time highlighted the critical impact of passengers retrieving their belongings, which obstructed others from escaping the burning aircraft.

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Although no injuries were reported this time, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing life over possessions during emergencies. Seconds can mean the difference between survival and tragedy in such situations.

In response to the incident, Turkey’s transportation ministry confirmed that efforts were underway to remove the damaged aircraft from the runway. While arrivals at Antalya Airport were temporarily suspended, departures continued from a nearby military-operated runway to minimize disruptions.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but the swift evacuation ensured a safe outcome for everyone on board.

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