Airbus A380

[DANFLACO 0]

I got a few concerns about the A380....I'm actually not certain it'll live up to the hype, but love the idea....think about this....

 

1. You got 800 people loading and unloading; that'll take a huge amount of time adding to the trip. Loading a 300 person plan is a cinch, but 700+ plane an albatross;

 

2. Very Few aiports in the Asian developing world (I don't say "third world") can handle it, aside from Tokyo and Singapore, as far as I know. Don Muang probably can, thank God! But airport alteration costs big money. Airports would need "double-decker" four or more gangways to load or exit the thing, instead of one or two; two 747s loading simulateneously would beat it hands down, each going more direct;

 

3. You won't get your desired or best frequent direct flights, (except from NY-London, Tokyo-Singapore, Tokyo-LA or NY-LA) because such large loads are based on "hub-and-spoke" systems, as you'll then need commuter lines to take you where you REALLY want to go, causing way more change-overs on your way;

 

4. "Some" say the A380 is fuel inefficient, and I don't believe it's more efficient. If it's the the same efficiency, they'd need 550+ bookings for a flight to cover costs with such a big bird, same as the current 747, which will make money for the same load. See: http://www.boeing.com, http://www.airbus.com.

 

5. For ourselves, if we are all trying to get smaller, more direct routes on the ground, then it's the same in the air...compare to getting a direct taxi or limo to a bus on the ground; how do YOU go from Bangkok to Pattaya, in preffered circunstances? For 1,000 Baht, it's short time to him too...

 

6. The 747, an established plane, can handle 550 passengers as it is now, in a proven plane. JAL loads them as such all the time for Asia routes. Not all that much difference difference in capacity; and an A380 is twice the price, no increase in fuel efficiency. The A380 is very expensive for pretty much the same-same. Between fuel costs and capital costs for the A380, I don't think it's a great savings at all.

 

7. PERKS: casinos, bars, showers on board...what have you. The 747 tried that, and now uses that space for seats. If you gonna play in transit, TAKE A CRUISE! If you're on a long flight, you take an Ambien and a nap!

 

I think the future of aviation is less cattle-car, more direct and quick for the same efficiency. I'm not saying this as a Yank supporting Boeing, but as a practical traveler.

Dan

[Eneukman 1]

Dan,

 

I'm not sure how a 747 can seat 550 people comfortably unless they do away with 1st and Business Class. I've been on a number of flights on a 747 which were pretty much full so I would think that there IS a market for the A380 though mainly between hubs such as London/New York, London/Australia via either Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok etc.

 

On routes where there is less demand, I can also see a market for the smaller Boeing plane. After all, better to put out a smaller plane that is full rather than a 747 which is maybe only 3/4's full.

 

The Boeing does have the advantage of being able to fly into smaller airports but there is as much chance of me being able to get a direct flight from Bangkok to Edinburgh or Glasgow as there is of me being selected for the next manned mission to the Moon.

 

Alan

[Jimmybb 0]

I recently had a chat with a pilot who currently flies several of the Airbus models and I asked what he thought about the 380. He told me that he wouldn't consider taking a ride on the new aircraft until one had crashed and the "bugs" were sorted out. I asked him if he was joking and he assured me he was not. He also stated that he felt much safer flying any Boeing made airliner. His feeling is that the Airbus planes were rather stiff and unforgiving and that the quality of the parts currently going into the Airbus are not on a par with those of Boeing planes. Jimmy

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I recently had a chat with a pilot who currently flies several of the Boeing models and I asked what he thought about the 7E7. He told me that he wouldn't consider taking a ride on the new aircraft until one had crashed and the "bugs" were sorted out. I asked him if he was joking and he assured me he was not. He also stated that he felt much safer flying any Airbus made airliner. His feeling is that the Boeing planes were rather soft and unresponsive and that the quality of the parts currently going into the Boeing are not on a par with those of Airbus planes.

 

Tom

[rkt 0]

I got talking to a long haul pilot on Lamai beach in Samui, and he liked flying the big 4 engined planes (747s) and no way would he even consider getting in the type of plane I fly, Statistically proven to be one of the safest aeroplanes, and capable (after numerous circumnavlgational flights of the World) planes ever to grace our sky's.

 

[Yujin 18]

My biggest concern about the A380 is the 800 passengers. If an emergency happens, it'll take a long time to evacuate the plane and imagine the panic, the pushing, and shoving to get out. You'd be smothered to death trying to escape.

 

I recently saw a TV show about airplane disasters. One of the disasters occurred on the ground when two planes collided on the runway and the planes caught on fire. Many of the passengers died of smoke inhalation.

[The Mook 105]

Seating as follows: with 3 classes the A380 seats 555...with one class (Economy) it seats 900 (from NYT). I find it highly unlikely you will see the 1 class formation. First and business class seats make lots of cash for airlines.

[Emil 0]

First and business class seats make lots of cash for airlines.

They had better. I've never measured the area but it looked like a business seat takes about the same space as 3 economy seats and a 1st class around 8 economy seats.

[deleted member 0]

My biggest concern about the A380 is the 800 passengers.  If an emergency happens, it'll take a long time to evacuate the plane and imagine the panic, the pushing, and shoving to get out.  You'd be smothered to death trying to escape.

 

I recently saw a TV show about airplane disasters.  One of the disasters occurred on the ground when two planes collided on the runway and the planes caught on fire.  Many of the passengers died of smoke inhalation.

You have to have faith in the aircraft designers and engineers. Emergency egress and disembarkation are all carefully considered when designing aircraft. The A380 will carry more passengers but will more than likely have the same emergency door per passenger ratio then any other aircraft. I'm sure some aviation authority whether it be FAA or ICAO have guidelines in place for this as well as additional training for the flight attendants.

[deleted member 0]

>>>First and business class seats make lots of cash for airlines.

 

 

They had better.  I've never measured the area but it looked like a business seat takes about the same space as 3 economy seats and a 1st class around 8 economy seats.

First and business class may make alot of money for airlines but by far the economy seats generate the most revenue for airlines.

[BigSwede 0]

As a European and a big friend of USA I often feel ashamed of the signals sent out from certain groups towards the big country in the west. Especially France lives up to what we usually address the country here as: "The arabs of Europe". Always moaning and playing big stars, despite that they dont have much to be proud of. Their bacon saved by US twice in past century. Still very ungreatful and always hostile to the USA. They dont seem to realise that every caucasian american actually originates from Europe!?

 

With this background if I was american: why the heck would I support the frogs with my business??

 

I am also a pilot and even if Airbus is ok functionally - I´d prefer Boeing at any choosen time! Very durable proven quality and reliable security. Personally I am very doubtful of the Airbus fly-by-wire and computer system for controls. Ok -sure it works mostly - but there has been to many incidents to make at least me feel 100% about it!

 

As any aviation worker knows it is just a matter of time before a new system falls out of the sky. In the A380 case it will of course be devastating! Pilot as I am - I will choose 747 whereever I can for my own private trips! I know that aircraft pretty well and it is a trusted honest workhorse that will not kick your ass! A fantastic aircraft and still on my no 1 list!

[Emil 0]

I just read an interesting article about this aircraft last week in my paper. Apparently none of the US airports can accomodate this aircraft. (the new Bangkok airport can) Millions of dollars must be invested so these planes can land and so far only 3 or 4 have said they are going to make the modifications. Even with the modifications, when one of these birds are taking off or landing the adjacent taxiways will not be active because of the A380's wingspan which will slow down the time to take off and land other aircraft. The other airports in the US are not willing to make this type of investment with only the potential of 1 or 2 landings a day. Las Vegas, which has a freeway that goes under one of its runways said they would not be willing to accept one even for an emergency landing for fear of collapsing the runway because of its weight. Fortunately Nellis AFB is nearby.

[mister_handy 124]

Seating as follows: with 3 classes the A380 seats 555...with one class (Economy) it seats 900 (from NYT). I find it highly unlikely you will see the 1 class formation. First and business class seats make lots of cash for airlines.

Might see one for Japanese domestic, or possible much further down the road when they start getting sold to second owners if one of the low-cost airlines wants more long haul business - aren't some of the Asian regional cheapies flying 747s now? And do they have first/business?

[cowboy 0]

One of my brothers is a 777 pilot for united. He used to be 747 and still has seniority to go back to a 747. He says United has told the pilots that 747 are slated for closeout and that united will be buying the 380 for asian routes where the freight and passanger loads require greater capacity than a 777.

 

Seems risky given the airline financial situation of United but It looks like united will be flying the 380 from us to BKK. If the new bkk airport plans pan out there could be direct flights from US to BKK.