A Qantas Airbus A380 experienced both wing damage and multiple cabin system malfunctions during its inaugural passenger flight after spending nearly six years in storage.
The superjumbo, which was the last of Qantas’ ten remaining A380s to re-enter active service, had recently completed over seven months of heavy maintenance in Abu Dhabi before resuming commercial operations. Its return marked the final stage of the airline’s post-pandemic revival of its A380 fleet.
Passenger Reports In-Flight Issues
Flying from Sydney to Los Angeles, Lynn Gilmartin documented a series of internal problems on the aircraft via a social media post. She reported that the jet had “a power issue,” leading to widespread failures:
- “No TVs were working.”
- “No lights in most of the cabins.”
- “Most seats wouldn’t recline.”
- She also noted hearing that “some toilets were overflowing.”
The situation reportedly became more alarming as the aircraft approached California, with Gilmartin claiming that “a chunk of the wing snapped off, dropping down on California somewhere.” Citing her nearly two decades of loyalty to Qantas, she questioned the clearance of the aircraft, writing, “This plane should never have taken off from Sydney. It was not fit for travel.”
Qantas Confirms Damage, Insists on Safety
Despite the internal failures and the reported wing damage, Qantas maintained that the flight was never compromised. The airline emphasized that all critical safety and control systems functioned normally throughout the journey, confirming that the crew retained full command of the aircraft and that no injuries occurred.
The A380 landed safely at Los Angeles International Airport. Qantas later acknowledged the damage, confirming that a section of the wing’s leading-edge slat was affected. The aircraft has since been grounded at LAX for necessary inspection and repairs.
