January 16, 200521 yr THE aircraft which threatens to kill the jumbo jet will be unveiled to the world in a lavish ceremony tomorrow night. The revolutionary Airbus A380 could spell the end of the Boeing 747 because of its sheer size. It can seat about 550 passengers - one-third more than a jumbo - and boasts lower fuel burn, longer range, less noise and lower emissions than the current model 747. Already 14 airlines have ordered 149 of the giant A380 jets, choosing size over the super-efficient 7E7 Dreamliner Boeing is designing, but won't be delivering, until at least 2007. The A380's rise could establish Europe-based Airbus's supremacy over America's Boeing, which has dominated the aviation market since the 1960s. When Airbus started talking about the A380, Boeing dithered, tinkering with plans for a super jumbo for a few years, then scrapping the idea as soon as Airbus confirmed enough orders for the A380 to go into production. Airbus chief Noel Forgeard has said he expected 35 annual deliveries of the A380 from 2008, with a total 700 planes manufactured over the model's 40-year life cycle, worth almost $300 billion in sales. Qantas, which has ordered 12 A380s, and other customers will reveal details of their plans to a huge international media contingent assembled at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France late tomorrow. European leaders including British PM Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac are expected to officially launch the A380 off the assembly line. Singapore Airlines, which will be first to offer the super jumbo, has already said its model will have less than 500 seats to ensure "the highest quality flying experience". Other carriers expected to bring the A380 to Sydney are Emirates, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways. The A380's much longer wingspan has forced major airports to plan works to accommodate the massive jet. About $100 million will be spent on work at Sydney airport for the new aircraft, due to begin flying here next year. Airbus claims the A380 will give passengers unprecedented comfort, providing wider seats and aisles than today's comparable aircraft. The company has also raised options such as onboard shops, bars and even showers. In 2004, Airbus delivered more aircraft than its US rival for the second year running, topping Boeing's deliveries by 5 per cent.
January 16, 200521 yr Yeah, its popularity will last til the first A380 crash. If the Concorde's first crash 25 years into its run made it "too dangerous" to fly - what do you think the reaction is going to be the first time 500+ people pass on in some A380 air disaster?
January 16, 200521 yr Do airlines have enough money to keep buying them? It sounds awesome but I know most American airlines aren't doing too well. I've never ridden an Airbus plane, but I've always wanted to.
January 16, 200521 yr Boeing wasn't counting on the 747 being around much longer anyway. They are banking their future on the new 7E7 which is supposed to be a far more fuel efficient plane.
January 16, 200521 yr PLus, most American airports can't handle the Airbus' wingspan. Who's going to pay for the upgrades to make the planes fit? Not the US airlines.
January 17, 200521 yr I've ridden on almost every plane manufactured, at least jet wise. 717 727 737 747 757 767 777 md-80 md-88 Airbus 300 Airbus 310 Airbus 340 DC-10 MD-11 That's quite a few. They're all the same.
January 17, 200521 yr QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jan 16, 2005 -> 08:00 PM) I've ridden on almost every plane manufactured, at least jet wise. 717 727 737 747 757 767 777 md-80 md-88 Airbus 300 Airbus 310 Airbus 340 DC-10 MD-11 That's quite a few. They're all the same. I've done the 717/DC-9 (same plane), 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, md-80, md-88, dc-8, dc-10. Airbus 300, 310, 320, 340. CJ-50 and CJ-70. And the Saab Jet. The insides are mostly the same. You are correct. The main differences are size, technical specs and economy.
January 17, 200521 yr yea, gas... some of those planes are HOGS. I forgot DC-8's. Those things suck, both gas and flying. What do (did) you do to travel so much? I worked for a cargo airline for a while and traveled some. For those interested in jumpseating, the novel wears off real quick. Gimme a economy seat any day, after riding around in the jam packed cockpit. Ugh.
January 17, 200521 yr I just like to travel. flew DC-8s and 10s as a kid going to visit family in Europe. The rest were from various trips to Europe, or visiting friends elsewhere.
January 18, 200521 yr A380-800 - Flightcrew of two. Standard seating for 555 passengers on two decks in a three class arrangement. Qantas plans to fit its aircraft with 523 seats (in three classes). A380 has 49% more floor area but only 35% more seats (in 555 seat configuration) than the 747-400, allowing room for passenger amenities such as bars, gymnasiums and duty free shops. Cargo capacity 38 LD3s or 13 pallets. http://www.drudgereport.com/flasha.htm link shows pics from inside the plane...
January 18, 200521 yr http://users.adelphia.net/~luv2hang/380.jpg that link is a blue print of the plane.... lol...it has a shop..a bar...a restaurant...gigantic bathroom...cabins for passengers to rest in...3 different classes on two levels...wtf...you can live on the f***ing thing...just stop and refuel
January 18, 200521 yr QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Jan 16, 2005 -> 02:43 PM) PLus, most American airports can't handle the Airbus' wingspan. Who's going to pay for the upgrades to make the planes fit? Not the US airlines. Your tax dollars.
January 18, 200521 yr QUOTE(TheBlackSox8 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 12:51 AM) http://users.adelphia.net/~luv2hang/380.jpg that link is a blue print of the plane.... lol...it has a shop..a bar...a restaurant...gigantic bathroom...cabins for passengers to rest in...3 different classes on two levels...wtf...you can live on the f***ing thing...just stop and refuel Nice image, but I'm willing to bet that the non-seats stuff in the plane will become as prevalent as the lounge in the 747 hump.
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