Discussion
TVR-NUT said:
I must admit that it is not the most 'prettiest' of aeroplanes to look at. However I was fortunate enough to fly out on one with qauntas to Sydney in 2009 and I much preferred it to the 747 that I flew back to the UK in. Economy class both ways by the way.
Have you just admitted to flying turn left class on PH?? My goodness. 
Can't say I've thought much about the looks of the A380. It's nice to fly in, quiet during all modes of flight and on my flight to Perth and back via Singapore with Singapore Airlines I'm glad I paid the $50 for extra legroom seats because as big as it is, it's still pretty cramped feeling in there. It seems to be a full plane every time out of Heathrow.
On my Singapore to Perth leg I was in a very quiet 777 (and return) and got excellent attentive service from the cabin crew who incidentally I felt were the best I'd ever flown with, the Tiger Beer just kept flowing!!
For me though the 777 wins hands down over the A380 for two very good reasons, the awesome sound of those GE-90's!
I'm looking forward to a flight on a Dreamliner at some point just to see how their technology has improved.
Stef
On my Singapore to Perth leg I was in a very quiet 777 (and return) and got excellent attentive service from the cabin crew who incidentally I felt were the best I'd ever flown with, the Tiger Beer just kept flowing!!
For me though the 777 wins hands down over the A380 for two very good reasons, the awesome sound of those GE-90's!
I'm looking forward to a flight on a Dreamliner at some point just to see how their technology has improved.
Stef
Edited by StefanVXR8 on Saturday 22 February 19:05
I fly Emirates to and from Dubai. Done both Business and Economy. Ive seen a fair few empty seats on my last Economy flight out to Dubai and Business was only half full, Dubai-London. I love the plane as per previous positive comments. I dont see much difference with Business and First though. So what you get a shower and a sliding door!
petop said:
I fly Emirates to and from Dubai. Done both Business and Economy. Ive seen a fair few empty seats on my last Economy flight out to Dubai and Business was only half full, Dubai-London. I love the plane as per previous positive comments. I dont see much difference with Business and First though. So what you get a shower and a sliding door!
Can any of our lorded gentry comment on the shower? I've got the impression the limitations of an airliner would make it a cramped little plastic thing with very restrictive water supply.hairyben said:
Can any of our lorded gentry comment on the shower? I've got the impression the limitations of an airliner would make it a cramped little plastic thing with very restrictive water supply.
Not so sure about the lorded gentry bit but yes, it's a bit feeble compared to what you would have on the ground. I went in, looked, decided against and stuck to my usual plan of having a shower in Dubai. (Actually I usually use Etihad and the showers in Abu Dhabi are the best arrangement for me)Kenty said:
According to Emirates CEO they can fill all the A380 flights out of London including Qantas, they seriously need more slots out of LHR. Not the same on all routes I'm sure but a full A380 must make serious cash.
i live in dubai. i don't think i or any of my colleagues have even been on an EK flight to any uk destination that has been anything less than full. just bookd dxb to lax on the 380. 16hrs non stop, the longest route they do i think???
shirt said:
i live in dubai. i don't think i or any of my colleagues have even been on an EK flight to any uk destination that has been anything less than full.
just bookd dxb to lax on the 380. 16hrs non stop, the longest route they do i think???
Yes, I was in first because I was upgraded from business because it was full. They aren't filling by discounting either, on my routes Etihad is cheaper and, IMHO, better.just bookd dxb to lax on the 380. 16hrs non stop, the longest route they do i think???
shirt said:
Kenty said:
According to Emirates CEO they can fill all the A380 flights out of London including Qantas, they seriously need more slots out of LHR. Not the same on all routes I'm sure but a full A380 must make serious cash.
i live in dubai. i don't think i or any of my colleagues have even been on an EK flight to any uk destination that has been anything less than full. just bookd dxb to lax on the 380. 16hrs non stop, the longest route they do i think???
Looks like it is not really taking off :
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/tr...
380 future undecided, 350 delayed, stocks 15% off
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/tr...
380 future undecided, 350 delayed, stocks 15% off
There is a lot of 'public negotiation' going on between Airbus and Emirates about the A380 at the moment.
EK want the aircraft to be re-engined with the latest generation of power plants. 'NEO' in the industry jargon. They may also, at some point, want the -900 stretch version of the aircraft which was always in the plan (hence the enormous wing).
These development programs would cost Airbus a lot of money, and they want to establish a sound business case before giving the green light. Airbus will either need other customers signed up for the new versions, or if that doesn't materialise, they will want EK to share the development costs of what will be essentially bespoke aircraft.
EK want the aircraft to be re-engined with the latest generation of power plants. 'NEO' in the industry jargon. They may also, at some point, want the -900 stretch version of the aircraft which was always in the plan (hence the enormous wing).
These development programs would cost Airbus a lot of money, and they want to establish a sound business case before giving the green light. Airbus will either need other customers signed up for the new versions, or if that doesn't materialise, they will want EK to share the development costs of what will be essentially bespoke aircraft.
Edited by Bradgate on Friday 12th December 12:30
I always thought that a lot of the problems with the A380 were down to the fact that the American's would not buy it, on account of it not being American.
Surely America and China (where I know they have sold the A380) would account for a large proportion of potential sales.
I also suspect that although EK have ordered 140, they will not be flying this many at once, and that perhaps Airbus have done a deal to get some of EK's airframes moved onto the 2nd user market, thereby allow customer who would not normally be able to afford brand new airframes.
Surely America and China (where I know they have sold the A380) would account for a large proportion of potential sales.
I also suspect that although EK have ordered 140, they will not be flying this many at once, and that perhaps Airbus have done a deal to get some of EK's airframes moved onto the 2nd user market, thereby allow customer who would not normally be able to afford brand new airframes.
onyx39 said:
I always thought that a lot of the problems with the A380 were down to the fact that the American's would not buy it, on account of it not being American.
Surely America and China (where I know they have sold the A380) would account for a large proportion of potential sales.
I also suspect that although EK have ordered 140, they will not be flying this many at once, and that perhaps Airbus have done a deal to get some of EK's airframes moved onto the 2nd user market, thereby allow customer who would not normally be able to afford brand new airframes.
Like many other planes (notably concorde) and more besides, the yanks don't like to be shown that someone else can do something better or achieve something that they gave up on, yank airlines do fly airbus but I guess the 380 is just a bit too visual.Surely America and China (where I know they have sold the A380) would account for a large proportion of potential sales.
I also suspect that although EK have ordered 140, they will not be flying this many at once, and that perhaps Airbus have done a deal to get some of EK's airframes moved onto the 2nd user market, thereby allow customer who would not normally be able to afford brand new airframes.
I think in time the economics of it will be unavoidable particularly as air travel picks up with the economy, with many important global airports suffering heathrow-like symptoms (running at capacity and too much obstructive politic to resolve it)
It's nonsensical that the US don't buy the A380 because it is not American.
How many 747's are they buying instead then? The most iconic US plane of all time? Bugger all
The fact is that the A380 suffers from competition from twin jets on some routes and infra structure on others.
Ironically now the price of oil has gone down we might find a lot of the airlines getting more favourable to the A380 again and give it a boost through until maybe new engines to give it new life.
It will still be an uphill battle though.
How many 747's are they buying instead then? The most iconic US plane of all time? Bugger all
The fact is that the A380 suffers from competition from twin jets on some routes and infra structure on others.
Ironically now the price of oil has gone down we might find a lot of the airlines getting more favourable to the A380 again and give it a boost through until maybe new engines to give it new life.
It will still be an uphill battle though.
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