Airbus A380 unveiled.

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

ooh- pretty.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4183201.stm




check out the 3D panoramic views of the interior:
http://www.airbus.com/product/a380_comfort.asp
http://www.airbus.com/product/a380_flight_deck.asp

Very beautiful indeed.

I read a similar article yesterday and they mentioned that it was going to take LAX millions and millions just to prepare themselves for this new aircraft. That's just crazy.

I wonder how much it'll cost to score a seat on one of those flights?

[AlphaSigOU]

You'll probably see them first on transpacific nonstop routes, such as LAX-HKG, SFO-SYD, LAX-SIN or LAX-NRT. Though eventually I think all the extra creature comforts touted will disappear for more seats. "Asses in the seats and planes in the air!" is the mantra of most airlines nowadays.

Seat prices will probably be comparable to, maybe a little more expensive than current ticket prices. First to fly it next year after the behemoth gets its certification from Europe and the U.S. will be Singapore Airlines.

Don't think there will be too many U.S. airlines ordering the A380 right now.

LAX = Los Angeles (International)
SFO = San Francisco (International)
SYD = Sydney, Australia (Kingsford Smith)
SIN = Singapore (Changi)
HKG = Hong Kong (Chep Lap Kok)
NRT = Tokyo (Narita)

A380 = The aluminum and fiberglass overcast! Or, FRED: Fucking Ridiculous Electronic Device!

[moe.ron]

For Singapore Airline, I belive they will use it for the Singapore - New York (JFK) flight.

[Phasad1913]

That looks really nice. I can't wait to fly it.

[NutBrnHair]

I saw where FedEx & UPS are buying a few.

[moe.ron]

Remember, the inside of the plane will vary according to the airline company. I know Virgin is thinking about putting a Gym and a Bar in the plane. I've herd that Singapore Air only want seats. So, it'll depend on the airline company.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Boeing really missed the boat on this one.

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
Boeing really missed the boat on this one.

Not quite... plans have been floating around at Boeing of a full double-decker 747 for many years. (Only the upper deck has been stretched on the 747-300 and -400 models, though some late-model -100s and 200s have had the stretched upper deck as a retrofit.) Wouldn't take very long for Boeing to dust off the plans and offer it for sale, if they get any takers.

While the 747-400 may look nearly identical next to its older 747-100, -200 and -300 siblings, it's a completely new build with newer technology that wasn't around when the 747 first took flight in 1969. Plus, it would be able to use the existing 747 airport infrastructure in many large international airports.

Early 747s used to have a first-class lounge on the upper deck - originally Boeing wasn't even going to use that space for passengers, until the late Juan Trippe of Pan American insisted otherwise. (Easy way to tell on short upper deck 747s: the early 747s had a 3-window upper deck; later aircraft have 10.) Lounge areas extended also to business and economy classes on the main deck. However, 747s turned out to be too big of an aircraft for most domestic routes, and the lounges gave way to additional fare-paying seats. The upper deck now is used mostly for business class seating and a crew rest area.

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by moe.ron
Remember, the inside of the plane will vary according to the airline company. I know Virgin is thinking about putting a Gym and a Bar in the plane. I've herd that Singapore Air only want seats. So, it'll depend on the airline company.

combine the gym and the bar into one and they'll get my transatlantic business.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
You'll probably see them first on transpacific nonstop routes, such as LAX-HKG, SFO-SYD, LAX-SIN or LAX-NRT. Though eventually I think all the extra creature comforts touted will disappear for more seats. "Asses in the seats and planes in the air!" is the mantra of most airlines nowadays.

Seat prices will probably be comparable to, maybe a little more expensive than current ticket prices. First to fly it next year after the behemoth gets its certification from Europe and the U.S. will be Singapore Airlines.

Don't think there will be too many U.S. airlines ordering the A380 right now.

LAX = Los Angeles (International)
SFO = San Francisco (International)
SYD = Sydney, Australia (Kingsford Smith)
SIN = Singapore (Changi)
HKG = Hong Kong (Chep Lap Kok)
NRT = Tokyo (Narita)

A380 = The aluminum and fiberglass overcast! Or, FRED: Fucking Ridiculous Electronic Device!

Your knowledge of airport codes is intriguing, but the only airlines which have ordered it besides Singapore (and they're flying it between London and Sydney first) are Air France, Lufthansa, and Korean Air. None of the American long-haul carriers (United and Northwest, for example), are expected to buy them at all.

[ISUKappa]

This is the damn airplane that stole my husband from me 60 hours a week for the last two years. And made him want to quit his job numerous times.

Usually the people on the projects get to see the finished result in use, but I don't think that plane will ever be making it to CR.

[bruinaphi]

I thought CNN said something about economy ticket prices being cheaper than on 747s b/c the A380 is more fuel efficient. I guess it all depends upon the configuration of the planes.