Qantas Brings A380 to Brazil for the First Time With Historic VH-OQA

Qantas Brings A380 to Brazil for the First Time With Historic VH-OQA

Australian Superjumbo Operated a Non-Stop Flight to São Paulo and Marked the First Simultaneous A380 Operation by Different Airlines at Guarulhos Airport

 

The Qantas Airbus A380 carried out its first operation in Brazil by landing at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) at 23:18 on Sunday, February 22, 2026, marking a historic moment for Brazilian aviation and placing the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft into an unprecedented operation in the country.

 

The flight was conducted non-stop, directly connecting Australia to Brazil on an ultra-long-haul mission that demonstrated the operational capability of Brazil’s main international hub, which is certified to receive Code F aircraft — the highest airport classification standard in civil aviation.

 

The aircraft departed again for Sydney at 05:50 on Monday morning, February 23, concluding an operation that drew aviation enthusiasts, industry professionals, and aircraft observers throughout the night at Guarulhos.

 

The entire operation was covered by MAIS QUE VOAR, with records from arrival through pushback and departure preparations, documenting one of the most significant aviation events ever witnessed in Brazil.

 

 VH-OQA: Qantas First A380

 

The aircraft responsible for the operation was Airbus A380 registration VH-OQA, named Nancy-Bird Walton in honor of the Australian aviation pioneer.

 

The aircraft holds special significance in the airline’s history: it was the first Airbus A380 delivered to Qantas, entering service in 2008 and inaugurating the superjumbo era within the Australian carrier’s fleet.

 

Qantas once operated 12 aircraft of the type and currently maintains approximately 10 active units following the gradual post-pandemic restoration of international operations.

 

Equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, the A380 is primarily deployed on high-demand intercontinental routes, featuring a full double-deck cabin and premium configuration designed for long-haul travel.

 

 The Aircraft that entered Aviation History

 

VH-OQA also became globally known after being involved in one of the most studied incidents in modern aviation.

 

In November 2010, while operating Qantas Flight 32 between Singapore and Sydney, the aircraft experienced an uncontained engine failure shortly after takeoff. Engine debris struck critical aircraft systems, causing multiple simultaneous failures.

 

Despite the extremely complex situation, the flight crew maintained control of the aircraft and performed a safe landing in Singapore, saving all 469 people on board — an event frequently cited as a benchmark example of outstanding crew resource management and operational training.

 

Following extensive structural repairs, the aircraft returned to active service in 2012.

 

A Historic Moment for Guarulhos

 

Beyond Qantas’ A380 debut in Brazil, the operation established another milestone: it was the first time São Paulo/Guarulhos Airport simultaneously hosted Airbus A380 aircraft from different airlines.

 

On previous occasions, dual A380 presence occurred only when a replacement Emirates aircraft was dispatched due to technical issues — a different scenario from the one recorded during this visit.

 

The event reinforces São Paulo’s strategic position as South America’s primary aviation hub and highlights Brazil’s infrastructure capability for large-scale aircraft operations.

 

Operational Delay on Departure

 

The aircraft’s departure also drew attention from observers present at the airport. Originally scheduled for 04:00, takeoff occurred at approximately 05:30, resulting in an operational delay of nearly two hours compared to the original schedule.

 

Despite the change, enthusiasts and aviation professionals remained on site until pushback, documenting the departure of the Australian giant in yet another memorable chapter for Brazilian aviation.

 

Technical Data — Airbus A380-842 VH-OQA

 

Operator: Qantas Airways

Registration: VH-OQA

Name: Nancy-Bird Walton

Entry into service: 2008

Engines: Rolls-Royce Trent 900

Typical capacity: ~485 passengers

Range: 15,200 km

Length: 72.7 m

Wingspan: 79.8 m

ICAO Category: Code F