Login required to started new threads

Login required to post replies

Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it?
Quote | Reply
Airbus unveils the new Airbus A380 Superjumbo Jet tomorrow in Blagnac, France.

What airlines will have it? When will we see it? When will we fly on it?

Here's the CNN blurp:

http://www.cnn.com/....380.reut/index.html

Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Virgin is getting the first ones, flight trials will take a year.

Big sucka ain't it



Maybe they'll let us take our bikes on for free.


Jim

**Note above poster works for a retailer selling bikes and related gear*
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Jim] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
800 passengers!?!

Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Good point in the article, how long will it take to board if they max out the seating at 800.


Jim

**Note above poster works for a retailer selling bikes and related gear*
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Jim] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Or to wait for your luggage to appear on the carousel?


"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [jk_allen13] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Imagine what a fully loaded winter time landing in the Potomic would be like? Do they even consider what an accident in something like that would pose? Imagine EMS trying to get 800 souls out of a burning heap of airtrash...

----------------------------------------------------------

What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [StillRecord10Ti] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Imagine what your bike box would look like at the bottom of all that luggage!


"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [jk_allen13] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
These are all good points. Hmmm. Huge logistical challenge. Where's Big Kahuna to answer our airline logistic concerns?

By the way Julian- your "S" bends and new elbow pads went out today with the DVD's. We were out of E-Gel though- sorry mate- I did put a couple items in theri to compensate for it that we hope you find interesting and to prevent you from killing me! :)

Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Oh Brilliant, thanks very much Tom for the goodies also. That will lift what was a shitty day at work.


"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [jk_allen13] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I will post along some E-Gel when are replenished.

Again, so sorry for the delay. The fault on this rests squarly with me, not the good folks at Hed who have done their very best to get things out to us in a timely manner.

Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
That is much appreciated Tom. Not a problem with the delay, as we discussed I am not in a position to use them just now, sadly! IT's all about communication, isn't it? All understood and gratefully received, just get another editorial out for us to enjoy ;-)

ps. just what did you get Calvin to wear into 'bucky's when they ask if he was your son?


"How bad can it be?" - SimpleS
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
After it makes its first test flight this spring, the 555-seat A380 is to go into regular service in 2006. But don't expect it to immediately swoop into U.S. airports. Initially, it is scheduled to fly between Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

For now, passenger-carrying U.S. airlines are generally downsizing and have yet to purchase the four-engine colossus. However, by 2008, foreign carriers should be providing service to New York and San Francisco, and possibly even Miami and Los Angeles.

The A380 will have three decks, the top two for passengers and the lower one available for spas, casinos, a medical center, shopping or a fast-food franchise. Some airlines plan to install staterooms with beds and showers.

The grandiose design demonstrates the airline industry's determination to move forward despite the terrorist attacks three years ago, industry experts say.

The supersized jetliner will weigh up to 560 tons. Its 118-ton fuel supply alone will weigh more than two fully loaded Boeing 717 jetliners. Yet it will be one of the fastest airliners, able to fly almost 600 mph up to 9,200 miles.

Additionally, Airbus says it will be quieter than most jetliners and more fuel efficient, burning 1.3 gallons per passenger per 100 miles -- based on a full plane -- which is comparable to the fuel economy of a small turbo-diesel car.

Because of that efficiency, Airbus says ticket prices on the aircraft, which costs upward of $300 million per plane, could be cheaper than current fares for international travel.

About 5,000 aviation officials, media members and dignitaries, including heads of state from around Europe, are to be on hand at Blagnac Airport near Toulouse, France, for the unveiling. Airbus already has received 149 orders from 14 customers, most from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Although FedEx and UPS are the only U.S. carriers to order the plane so far, South Floridians should see three foreign carriers, Air France, Lufthansa and Virgin-Atlantic, land it at Miami International by 2008 or 2009, said Bruce Drum, the airport's assistant director of operations.

He said MIA is one of the first airports in the nation to prepare for the plane's arrival, reconstructing four terminal gates to load and offload passengers at two different levels.

"We have prestigious routes and this is an international hub airport," he said. "Basically, we're ready today to accommodate it."

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Palm Beach International airports are far from ready.

"With the wingspan on that thing, you'd have to build new taxiways for it," said Jim Reynolds, spokesman for the Fort Lauderdale airport.

"We don't plan on making changes to accept the plane for the sake of being on standby, or an alternate airport," said Palm Beach airport spokeswoman Lisa De La Rionda.

Airbus says most of the major U.S. commercial airports already have sufficiently long runways to accept the A380. However, many of those runways are 150 feet wide, and the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to determine if that is enough berth for such a gargantuan aircraft.

Safety on a large scale

Despite its bulk, the A380 must meet the same rigorous safety standards as other jetliners, experts say. For instance, in a fire, passengers must be able to evacuate from 16 exits within 90 seconds.

Still, if there were an accident, airport fire-rescue teams would be challenged, said Stuart Klaskin, a Miami-based aviation consultant.

"The technology to fight fire and remove passengers becomes very stretched, no matter how you look at it," he said. "You're talking about a lot of people in there."

David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association, said he doesn't expect passengers to be intimidated by the A380's heft.

"We didn't see much of that when the 747 was introduced, and that was a large leap in size," he said. "People were excited about flying on it. They viewed it like a cruise ship."

On the other hand, the behemoth could become a prime terrorist target, said David Forbes, an aviation security expert based in Evergreen, Colo.

"If terrorists want to kill a lot of people, they're not going to go to a smaller plane if they can pick this off," he said. "This plane is a very big target, it's as simple as that."

Airlines, airports and governments could be strained to provide enough security personnel, Forbes said.

"With a 555-passenger load, it's fairly obvious we're talking multiples of the usual security processes to get people on board, as well as with checkpoints, baggage screening and cargo," he said.

Passengers might face delays at checkpoints, at least until the kinks are worked out, Forbes said.

Another security nightmare: terrorists armed with shoulder-launched missiles. The airlines have yet to decide whether to equip the plane with anti-missile defense systems, he said.

For now, Forbes said, air carriers are "more preoccupied with economic performance than security. And that's very similar to the kind of environment that applied before 9-11."

More capacity, fewer flights

Eventually, the A380 might be stretched to hold close to 1,000 passengers, truly making it a cruise ship in the skies. Because designers actually wanted it to have a luxury ocean liner feel, they built in wide stairways to connect the decks.

More immediately, Airbus is promoting the A380 as the cure to overcrowded airports, saying its ability to haul more than 500 passengers in one hop will allow airlines to reduce the overall number of flights.

However, U.S. carriers, which have been streamlining for the past few years, are shying away from the huge jet because they are seeking to reduce operating costs with smaller planes.

"We're aware of this aircraft, but we're currently focused on our financial situation," said Martha Pantin, spokeswoman for American Airlines, the nation's largest carrier.

Pantin said American Airlines recently had to defer the delivery of more than 50 Boeing planes as a cost-savings measure.

Additionally, some airlines don't want to deal with logistical problems associated with the A380, such as having potentially more than 1,000 passengers flood into gate areas at once -- including the 555 departing and the 555 arriving.

Just the same, in the next three to five years, some U.S. airlines might purchase A380s, particularly those flying long transoceanic routes, such as United and Northwest, Klaskin said.

But that is only if the plane proves to be a moneymaker and a worthy replacement for the 747, he said.

Further into the future, Klaskin said, even low-cost U.S. carriers might operate the A380 on their busiest routes.

"It's a technological marvel," he said. "I think the airplane will make a lot of money for the airlines that operate it."

_____________________________________________

I have horrible back problems but I have zero problems staying in an aero position for 180k. Why? Because I ride steep and because I train regularly in that position. Simple as that.....Gerard
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Airbus is trying to get us to buy a few of them. As Heavy D says, we're not really looking, with the possible exception of our Asian international routes, at flying something that large. Boeing is trying to push the 7E7 on us, and will throw in the 717 at really reduced leasing rates, if we sign on to the 7E7. Everything's up in the air.

As to logistics, it's just a matter of the right amount of crew to load and unload. All of the bags and such go into either LD3 or LD7 containers and into the cargo holds. Then, it's a matter of having the right amount of labor and equipment to unload. Our policy is that First Class-tagged bags are supposed to come off the plane first and down onto the luggage carousels first etc.

It's no more difficult to get a plane like this loaded and unloaded, bags and passengers-wise, than it is anything else. You just need a little more time (maybe, depending upon the configuration) and a little more staffing (again, maybe, depending upon the automated processes that would be used).

Tony
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I want it with beds like a sleeper train car , LCD tv in the over head , push button food ordering , at shower down the hall ,so I will feel fresh on the California to japan / NZ 10 -18 hr. flights . Better than kicking up the arm rests on a whole empty row ,which I love to do.
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
It's an impressive airplane... just to give an idea of scale the engine cowl diameters are about the same as an Airbus 320 or Boeing 737.

I'm a Boeing guy but I've really got to hand it to the team at AB they really pulled a nice one off!!!
Jay

Jay
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Heavy D] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
For now, Forbes said, air carriers are "more preoccupied with economic performance than security. And that's very similar to the kind of environment that applied before 9-11."
Incredibly unwise. Why don't they paint some big red bulls-eyes on the plans as well.

_______________________________________________
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
A lounge? Really come on now. Anybody who thinks there will be a lounge in the bottom hasn't flown lately.

You know what'll be in the bottom? More coach seats, that's what will be in the bottom level. All this crap about amenities is just to make buzz.

"Let me see, I can order my airbus with a spa in the bottom of it or I can jam another 300 passengers in there, what to do, what to do...."
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Will they have a triathlete's model? You know, the one where you get to sleep with your bike during the trip?

At one time you could ride with your bike ON the train in the baggage car. But, most of you wouldn't have done that. :),

-Robert

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I saw video of the unveiling today. Very fun. I can't wait to fly on this aircraft- likely I will be on it out of LAX to Australia on Quantas sometime in the next 8 years when it is up and running. I'll be saving my pennis for the first class lounge upgrade. I bet by then a ticket will be $8K first class LAX to Sydney.

Unfortunately for us it looks like DTW (Detroit Wayne County) will not be receiving the aircraft on a regular basis. I would have love to see one fly over. Hopefully someone will do a "promotional" tour with the aircraft when it launches.

Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
I can hardly wait to hear this big SOB fly over my house. Detroit Metro is about 5 miles from my house as the crow flies. When will Boeing 1 up these guys?!?
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Martensite] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
In Reply To:
I can hardly wait to hear this big SOB fly over my house. Detroit Metro is about 5 miles from my house as the crow flies. When will Boeing 1 up these guys?!?




I think Boeing is going in a different direction. The 7E7 is not that large - it is efficient - uses less fuel. The plus side is wider aisles and seats, better tempature and air quality, internet connectivity while in the air.

I do not think I would like to try to get on a plane that holds 800, then disembark with 800 -- and then wait for baggage (Thats a lot of bags).

I would go for more comfort and 225 people.

Where is the Big Kahuna??? Paging Northwest Airlines!!! note: This is in referance to Tony's post before.
Last edited by: Sparticus: Jan 19, 05 18:35
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Tom Demerly] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
Here is the link to the first flight, hahahahhhahhahahahhahahha

http://www.naked-air.com/03flight.htm

.

_____________________________________________

I have horrible back problems but I have zero problems staying in an aero position for 180k. Why? Because I ride steep and because I train regularly in that position. Simple as that.....Gerard
Quote Reply
Re: Airbus A380: Wow! When do we fly on it? [Heavy D] [ In reply to ]
Quote | Reply
UGH
Last edited by: Martensite: Jan 19, 05 18:54
Quote Reply