Qantas brings A380 retirement forward to 2028 and sells 44 Boeing 737s

Qantas is bringing forward the retirement of its Airbus A380 fleet by four years, with the first of its ten superjumbos due to leave service in March 2028, and has agreed to sell 44 Boeing 737s to the aftermarket specialist AerFin as newer aircraft arrive. According to Simple Flying, the A380 change was announced in August, while AerFin confirmed the 737 deal on 4 November 2026.

A380s to go from 2028

Simple Flying reports that Qantas had previously planned to fly the Qantas A380 into 2032 but has moved the schedule to mid-2028. Retirements will be progressive, starting in March 2028, and no dates have been set beyond the first aircraft, which leaves the airline room to adjust. Simple Flying credits the successful introduction of A350s and further Dreamliners, and cites Aerospace Global News as the source for the August announcement.

Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the A380 is an older aircraft whose maintenance costs will rise over time. Simple Flying says she hopes removing that cost will help lift margins to 10% to 12% by FY2032. The outlet also points to higher fuel prices linked to conflict in the Middle East, which weighed on FY2026 profit. Qantas declined to comment to Simple Flying on the comparison with other airlines.

Simple Flying contrasts the move with Korean Air, which has pushed its A380 exit from 2026 to 2031, and Lufthansa, which will not begin retiring the type until well into the 2030s. It attributes those extensions to delays to the Boeing 777X, which both carriers have ordered in numbers. Qantas has no 777X on order.

The replacement aircraft

Simple Flying says Qantas has firm orders for 24 A350s and 12 Boeing 787s. Half of the A350 orders are A350-1000ULR jets intended for Project Sunrise nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York. The airline is also reportedly in talks to convert 20 purchase rights into firm orders, with deliveries in 2030. The outlet notes the twin-jets have lower capacity than the A380, so the replacement is not like for like, but they can fly every route the A380 now serves.

737 sale to AerFin

AeroTime reports that AerFin confirmed a "landmark acquisition" of 44 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, including 88 CFM56-7B engines, on 4 November. AirlineGeeks describes the aircraft as 737-800s. Both outlets say the handover will run over seven years, with the first jet expected before the end of 2026. AerFin says it is the largest deal in its history, and the aircraft will support airlines and maintenance providers worldwide.

Qantas Domestic CEO Markus Svensson said the deal lets the airline plan to retire most of its 737 fleet while keeping flexibility on timing, and that the 737s will keep flying for many years alongside newer aircraft. He said Qantas expects up to 24 new aircraft this year. According to AeroTime, citing ch-aviation, Qantas has received seven A321XLRs and awaits 41 more. AirlineGeeks says 28 were ordered in 2022 and another 20 later.

What this means for travellers

• The A380 will remain in service until at least March 2028, so there is no immediate change for passengers.
• From 2028, long-haul routes now flown by the A380 are expected to move to A350s and 787s, with different cabins and lower capacity per flight.
• The 737 retirements are gradual, so 737s will keep flying on Qantas services for years while A321XLRs take over.

Specific routes, cabin layouts and the order in which aircraft change have not been announced.

Sources: Simple Flying, AeroTime, AirlineGeeks.