End of the A380?
Discussion
LotusOmega375D said:
3+ years on and there still seems to be plenty of A380s up and about with major airlines. Was it written-off too soon?
Seems a lot of carriers are re-activating their existing planes, right now there's nothing to replace them with as the 777X isn't going to be here for a few years and by that time I suspect very large airliners will be slowly phased out as an A350 can get from Singapore to London, very long haul used to be the exclusive domain of quad jets (often just for the amount of fuel required alone), now twinjets are efficient enough to make the journey. However the existing A380 airframes will be with us for some time.
LotusOmega375D said:
3+ years on and there still seems to be plenty of A380s up and about with major airlines. Was it written-off too soon?
Nope.It was simply too late to the party, plus it's limited cargo potential all contributed to its demise.
Airbus didn't listen to what the industry was telling it before they even built it.
aeropilot said:
Nope.
It was simply too late to the party, plus it's limited cargo potential all contributed to its demise.
Airbus didn't listen to what the industry was telling it before they even built it.
True but its demise wasn’t quite as rapid as some predicted. With current fleet plans they’ll be carrying passengers for more than a decade and the type will have about 30 years of service by the time they’re retired. Not great still admittedly.It was simply too late to the party, plus it's limited cargo potential all contributed to its demise.
Airbus didn't listen to what the industry was telling it before they even built it.
At least Airbus got it right with the A350
djc206 said:
aeropilot said:
Nope.
It was simply too late to the party, plus it's limited cargo potential all contributed to its demise.
Airbus didn't listen to what the industry was telling it before they even built it.
True but its demise wasn’t quite as rapid as some predicted. With current fleet plans they’ll be carrying passengers for more than a decade and the type will have about 30 years of service by the time they’re retired. Not great still admittedly.It was simply too late to the party, plus it's limited cargo potential all contributed to its demise.
Airbus didn't listen to what the industry was telling it before they even built it.
Once they can't pay their way, they will be cut from fleets.
I am sure that other airlines will be watching this closely to see if they can make it work, which is unlikely, given that Hi-Fly have already tried (with this very airframe)
https://simpleflying.com/global-airlines-acquired-...
https://simpleflying.com/global-airlines-acquired-...
LotusOmega375D said:
I agree. 777 is the cattle truck of the skies. Always try to avoid them when flying long haul.
We flew Singapore air on their A380 to SGP and then A350 to MNL last year. Return journey was 777 from Singapore to LHR. It was an utter pig of a flight. A dated aircraft, uncomfortable seats and generally a pile of crap, even though it was 3-3-3 in econ. Return was such a let down after the outward A380 flight. Out of spite I purloined several pieces of stainless steel cutlery from the meal service.However, we also flew on a THAI 777 which was equally horrific with hard seats and "non dimmable" windows. Our next best flight in the last 2 years has been on an EVA 777 which, despite being 3-4-3 in Econ was halfway decent, but it still doesn't compare to the smoothness and comfort of the A380, even in council class.
texaxile said:
LotusOmega375D said:
I agree. 777 is the cattle truck of the skies. Always try to avoid them when flying long haul.
We flew Singapore air on their A380 to SGP and then A350 to MNL last year. Return journey was 777 from Singapore to LHR. It was an utter pig of a flight. A dated aircraft, uncomfortable seats and generally a pile of crap, even though it was 3-3-3 in econ. Return was such a let down after the outward A380 flight. Out of spite I purloined several pieces of stainless steel cutlery from the meal service.However, we also flew on a THAI 777 which was equally horrific with hard seats and "non dimmable" windows. Our next best flight in the last 2 years has been on an EVA 777 which, despite being 3-4-3 in Econ was halfway decent, but it still doesn't compare to the smoothness and comfort of the A380, even in council class.
But this is a good example of how much of a difference the airline makes in terms of the cabin. You should try flying on a MH 777 (back when they had them), they were absolutely horrible. European airlines (KLM/Air France) aren't much better to be honest but you've not got a lot of choice to South America. That being said, I'd rather fly on a 777 than a 787 Squeezeliner, every 787 flight I've been on has made the 777 look like the epitome of comfort.
LotusOmega375D said:
I agree. 777 is the cattle truck of the skies. Always try to avoid them when flying long haul.
Funny isn't it, you'd have thought they'd all be much of a muchness.I Still think if airbus had offered the cargo and stretch variants the wings etc were already rated for they'd still be merrily making them, with a USP far beyond the big twins. The cargo would have payload size and range beyond anything flying I think?
Reminiscent perhaps of Concorde B, the one the jet was intended to be and that might have actually sold!
captain_cynic said:
I think you might mean the 787, the 777 always had pull down window shades.
But this is a good example of how much of a difference the airline makes in terms of the cabin. You should try flying on a MH 777 (back when they had them), they were absolutely horrible. European airlines (KLM/Air France) aren't much better to be honest but you've not got a lot of choice to South America. That being said, I'd rather fly on a 777 than a 787 Squeezeliner, every 787 flight I've been on has made the 777 look like the epitome of comfort.
Yes, you're correct, damn my infernally poor eyesight. It was a THAI 787. But this is a good example of how much of a difference the airline makes in terms of the cabin. You should try flying on a MH 777 (back when they had them), they were absolutely horrible. European airlines (KLM/Air France) aren't much better to be honest but you've not got a lot of choice to South America. That being said, I'd rather fly on a 777 than a 787 Squeezeliner, every 787 flight I've been on has made the 777 look like the epitome of comfort.
We flew on MH3 a week after it was delivered to LHR which was a "new" A380 at the time. I recall it was freezing cold as we were close to the stairwell, and cold air from upstairs appeared to sink down.We did have the displeasure of one of their 777's from KL through to MNL. Hence we never used them again.
We've found that post pandemic the airlines have declined in both service and quality. EVA have now converted almost all of their 777's into 3-4-3 at the expense of one toilet in econ , so more pax and fewer facilities, and THAI are using tired equipment and serving poorer quality food. The only Airline we enjoy flying on is Cathay Pacific, although their PE product has gone through the roof now, it is still a great airline with awesome CC.
We’ve just flown to and from Heathrow to Singapore and back, and both flights were on BA777s.
Both had been fully refurbished and the interiors were more like that of a 787 - seats thin but very comfortable, even in cattle class.
What was interesting was the layout of the plane - First Class cabin, two sizeable Business Class cabins, five rows of Premium Economy and about 20 rows of Economy.
On the way home, the whole plane was pretty much full however, on the way out, Premium was about half full and Economy about two thirds but First and Business were fully occupied.
Both had been fully refurbished and the interiors were more like that of a 787 - seats thin but very comfortable, even in cattle class.
What was interesting was the layout of the plane - First Class cabin, two sizeable Business Class cabins, five rows of Premium Economy and about 20 rows of Economy.
On the way home, the whole plane was pretty much full however, on the way out, Premium was about half full and Economy about two thirds but First and Business were fully occupied.
Deranged Rover said:
We’ve just flown to and from Heathrow to Singapore and back, and both flights were on BA777s.
Both had been fully refurbished and the interiors were more like that of a 787 - seats thin but very comfortable, even in cattle class.
What was interesting was the layout of the plane - First Class cabin, two sizeable Business Class cabins, five rows of Premium Economy and about 20 rows of Economy.
On the way home, the whole plane was pretty much full however, on the way out, Premium was about half full and Economy about two thirds but First and Business were fully occupied.
Was that on BA?Both had been fully refurbished and the interiors were more like that of a 787 - seats thin but very comfortable, even in cattle class.
What was interesting was the layout of the plane - First Class cabin, two sizeable Business Class cabins, five rows of Premium Economy and about 20 rows of Economy.
On the way home, the whole plane was pretty much full however, on the way out, Premium was about half full and Economy about two thirds but First and Business were fully occupied.
I have a 777 booked to New York for Thanksgiving this year from Heathrow with BA. We splurged on a set of the 2 seaters at the back of the plane (row 36/37 iirc)
Did a TUI 787 to Jamaica in March in Economy. It was a pleasent enough trip. I did like the dimable window.
robm3 said:
A380's still going strong out of Australia. Saw a SG one at Sydney last week and i'm booked on Emirates A380 in a few weeks (they're running two models, older/newer and done both this year).
The First Class on the 777 is amazing and much better than the A380 btw.
Yep 4 Emirates at night oops 3 as one goes to NZ. 2 Qataris during the day and 3 Emirates during the day. SIngapore fly one to Melbourne to. Don't see any Qantas A380s in Melbourne at all at the moment. The First Class on the 777 is amazing and much better than the A380 btw.
motomk said:
Yep 4 Emirates at night oops 3 as one goes to NZ. 2 Qataris during the day and 3 Emirates during the day. SIngapore fly one to Melbourne to. Don't see any Qantas A380s in Melbourne at all at the moment.
Funny you should say that as they’ve just restarted the A380 on the Melbourne to Los Angeles route. Every other day it looks like.motomk said:
robm3 said:
A380's still going strong out of Australia. Saw a SG one at Sydney last week and i'm booked on Emirates A380 in a few weeks (they're running two models, older/newer and done both this year).
The First Class on the 777 is amazing and much better than the A380 btw.
Yep 4 Emirates at night oops 3 as one goes to NZ. 2 Qataris during the day and 3 Emirates during the day. SIngapore fly one to Melbourne to. Don't see any Qantas A380s in Melbourne at all at the moment. The First Class on the 777 is amazing and much better than the A380 btw.
djc206 said:
Funny you should say that as they’ve just restarted the A380 on the Melbourne to Los Angeles route. Every other day it looks like.
Damn, I must be blind!
Haven't seen one in a while. They have been resurfacing the main (A380 compatable) runway at night. That might be why. Is today the first one? Teddy Lop said:
Last time we flew out of Oz ith emirates I noticed we were 1 of 4 380s from Melbourne, Sydney, brizzy and Auckland(?) in the sky all headed to converge on Dubai. From there IIRC there were several onward flights lined up to Heathrow, Gatwick, mancs etc. Thought it was Quite a clever way to serve the route(s) and possibly why they're so keen on price.
Ahhhh....... The bane of my existence on the nightshift!! Could write an essay on this. Trying to stack Emirates and Qatari A380s over one point at the same time, all wanting the same level, near the equator. Oceanic Airspace so bigger spacing required. Grumpy moto!! 
motomk said:
djc206 said:
Funny you should say that as they’ve just restarted the A380 on the Melbourne to Los Angeles route. Every other day it looks like.
Damn, I must be blind!
Haven't seen one in a while. They have been resurfacing the main (A380 compatable) runway at night. That might be why. Is today the first one? Teddy Lop said:
Last time we flew out of Oz ith emirates I noticed we were 1 of 4 380s from Melbourne, Sydney, brizzy and Auckland(?) in the sky all headed to converge on Dubai. From there IIRC there were several onward flights lined up to Heathrow, Gatwick, mancs etc. Thought it was Quite a clever way to serve the route(s) and possibly why they're so keen on price.
Ahhhh....... The bane of my existence on the nightshift!! Could write an essay on this. Trying to stack Emirates and Qatari A380s over one point at the same time, all wanting the same level, near the equator. Oceanic Airspace so bigger spacing required. Grumpy moto!! No bother at all for us in area control. Although I did accidentally scare the living bejesus out of an RJ85 pilot with one once.
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