DFW - YSSY A380

[Guptar]

Just curious as to how close to the max range of the A380 is this route.

Is this a payload limited flight as it was in the 744ER, also curious as to the performance penalties in the hot Texas summer.

It would be nice if some publication did a story on the more technical aspects of the flight rather than the cabin service features of Australian Aviation.

[PoppaJo]

By the looks of it still struggles to get inbound to Sydney, conditions forcing BNE refuel about once a week most recently.

[Capt Fathom]

Where did you get that info from PoppaJo? Certainly not the case if Flightaware is correct!

[wheels_down]

Look like it has diverted twice last few weeks.

DFW-BNE-SYD

2nd March
6th March

[Jabawocky]

So how do the punters feel about that?

I can see it now. Punter like me who hates doing anything through Sydney, and used the DFW-BNE on the 744, wakes up to the news they are dropping in home only to be told no you need to stay on board as we refuel and go to Sydney only to have missed my connection in Sydney back to Brisbane.

Is that really what the plan is, or are these two stops highly exceptional?

[AnAussieNut]

I don't know how accurate the information is but the Qantas Source reports that VH-OQF had a minor tech issue prior to departure from DFW on 28/2 and that the decision was made to divert to BNE due to a crew hours issue,apparently the crew would have enough hours to make it to BNE but not SYD.
The pax on the flight were transferred to domestic flights to complete their journeys.

QANTAS A380 VH-OQF QF8 Brisbane Diversion. | The QANTAS Source (http://www.theqantassource.com/qantas-a380-vh-oqf-qf8-brisbane-diversion/)

Cheers
Paul

[Squawk7700]

I distinctly recall that they didn't make it on the first try !

[triadic]

And that's with around 100 seats down the back blocked off....

[Johhny Utah]

Squawk7700 - first try of what?

Inaugural A380 service from Dallas to Sydney made it without any problems. :ok:

Flight time of ~16 hours with around 350 pax seems to be about par for the course.
Recent diversions were due to having to de-ice in Dallas prior to departure, which resulted in the crews running out of duty hours (apparently) - hence the diversions to Brisbane.

[Trent 972]

And that's with around 100 seats down the back blocked off....

With First, Business and Premium Economy full to the gunnels (gunwhales) and couple of hundred others in economy as well. :E

[donpizmeov]

These are some of the first 380s off the line. EKs new ones burn a lot less fuel than the old ones and are not restricted and carry a full load (ie max zero fuel weight) on the 15.30hr to 16hr sectors to LAX and IAH from DXB. Our old ones would struggle. Good on QF for doing it in theirs. Although the QF ones may be seat restricted it still carries more than a 777 or 744/8 on the same sector.

[Squawk7700]

It was the first? 747 service that didn't make it unless I am mistaken.

3 diversions in one week from memory ! Including Noumea.

[Capt Fathom]

You need to Squawk 7600 :E