Qantas to Drop 16‑Hour A380 Service from Melbourne to Los Angeles, Switch to 787‑9

Qantas will terminate its 16‑hour nonstop Airbus A380 flight from Melbourne Airport to Los Angeles International Airport on October 22, replacing it with a Boeing 787‑9. The change reduces the airline’s A380 presence in the United States to a single route from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, leaving only that service for the wide‑body model. The move reflects a shift toward more fuel‑efficient aircraft on long‑haul flights and aligns with Qantas’s broader fleet optimisation strategy. Passengers on the Melbourne‑LAX route will experience a shorter aircraft with different cabin layout and potentially lower operating costs. The transition will require re‑booking for those who had booked the A380 service and may affect seat availability and pricing on the new 787‑9.