Originally Posted by
bilby_qld
I flew EK A380 to and from MAN back in February; At that time IIRC they flew twice daily MAN-DXB, with one flight a 777 and the other a 380. Have they now discontinued A380 service to MAN? If so, I will fly via LHR and take the train up north - to me that's a better option. Flying into MAN puts me within free limo transfer distance of my final destination.
I fly from BNE to MAN every few years, and much prefer EK, because the A380 is head and shoulders above any other aircraft for passenger comfort. SQ service is superb, but they now fly A350-900s BNE-SIN, and they are just too small and cramped (the contrast between SQ 777 LHR-SIN and SQ A359 SIN-BNE is stark, even in business class).
As the only carrier who operate the A380 to BNE, EK are my first choice - for as long as they continue to do so.
Sadly for those of us who fly ultra-long haul, there seems little prospect of a large enough aircraft to be comfortable being available in the long term. The 747 and A380 were the only planes big enough IMO, and neither is still in production.
I understand the global business model of smaller planes travelling point-to-point, which is a boon for European and North American commuters, but it's very bad news for Australians who have to fly half way around the planet to visit family. It's a gruelling enough journey even in a nice large aircraft.
I'm sure you're looking forward (not) to Qantas non-stop flights from the East Coast to Europe in an A350. Last time I went to the UK from Sydney we did 1 hop from Darwin to LHR, in a 787. Not fun.