BA will get the A380
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BA will get the A380
I heard this morning from a very reliable source (the Director of Flight ops actually!) that BA is going to get the A380.
He didn't give any timescale, but could we pick up the construction orders that Virgin has put back?
Could we be rated on the A319/320/320 and the A380? Seems like performance will be quite different!
BWB
He didn't give any timescale, but could we pick up the construction orders that Virgin has put back?
Could we be rated on the A319/320/320 and the A380? Seems like performance will be quite different!
BWB
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If A319/20/21 pilots can fly the A330 / A340 (after CCQ) then no reason why they shouldn't fly the A380 as well (Airbus has said it will be a short conversion for A340 pilots).
Fly-by-wire means all the (sidestick) Airbus family handle the same anyway, so it's just systems differences mainly I imagine. Even the cockpit height of 380 is same as 330/340 (deliberately).
Fly-by-wire means all the (sidestick) Airbus family handle the same anyway, so it's just systems differences mainly I imagine. Even the cockpit height of 380 is same as 330/340 (deliberately).
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All the Airbuses are supposed to handle similarly, but I think you'll find most A343/346 guys will tell you different! I understand the same is true of the 320/321. The A380 is not going to be quite so straightforward a conversion, as many of the displays are quite different to the 320/330/340 generation, plus the factor of the built-in laptop and the way it interfaces with the aircraft systems. There is also the minor factor of the aircraft's weight - there's no way that a 320 pilot will come to terms with a 560 tonne aircraft during a normal CCQ period!
As for BA taking the 380, I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Not so distant that they miss out, but not so soon that they lose face. I doubt they would want to take Virgin's delivery slots; I think that would be a bit quick for them.
As for BA taking the 380, I'm sure it's just a matter of time. Not so distant that they miss out, but not so soon that they lose face. I doubt they would want to take Virgin's delivery slots; I think that would be a bit quick for them.
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This was doing the rounds just before Xmas and at one of the SFO's forums a statement was made confirming thie thread. As all state it seems the logical step; 'cannot live with them but cannot live without them either.
PPRuNe Knight in Shining Armour
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Wasn't the reason for Virgin (and now Air France) putting back the orders, in part, due to the fact that the airports wouldn't be ready to accommodate them anyway! If so, then BA would not jump in for those delivery slots would they!?
Not a bad thing for Airbus, gives them a little more time to catch up the programme!
Not a bad thing for Airbus, gives them a little more time to catch up the programme!
Bear Behind
Visual,
Allow me to take that one up for you and gently explain, shall I? In a lot of airlines' cases, the A380 is coming to an airport near you pretty soon. The principle is simple - if the A380 does as it's supposed to and reduces aircraft operating costs by between 15 and 20%, that means the seat mile cost comes down. One of two things then happens - either the airlines become profitable (now there's a new concept for you!) by keeping ticket prices the same or the ticket price comes down, driving up demand and filling the big beastie. If you don't believe it's coming, take a look at the last page of the "A380 too big say Airline Execs" thread on Tech Log - first bird rolled out of the factory this morning!). No 777 can match those economics, not even the 777-300.
Besides, at the moment the no European or U.S. carrier in their right minds is going to buy the 777-300 (standard) with the 777-300ER looming large (why buy a less capable aircraft with poorer residual values?!)
Sorry BA, if you want to compete on SIN, HKG et al and stop the farce of pairs of 747s following each other out of those airports at or around midnight, there'll be no other way to go...
Allow me to take that one up for you and gently explain, shall I? In a lot of airlines' cases, the A380 is coming to an airport near you pretty soon. The principle is simple - if the A380 does as it's supposed to and reduces aircraft operating costs by between 15 and 20%, that means the seat mile cost comes down. One of two things then happens - either the airlines become profitable (now there's a new concept for you!) by keeping ticket prices the same or the ticket price comes down, driving up demand and filling the big beastie. If you don't believe it's coming, take a look at the last page of the "A380 too big say Airline Execs" thread on Tech Log - first bird rolled out of the factory this morning!). No 777 can match those economics, not even the 777-300.
Besides, at the moment the no European or U.S. carrier in their right minds is going to buy the 777-300 (standard) with the 777-300ER looming large (why buy a less capable aircraft with poorer residual values?!)
Sorry BA, if you want to compete on SIN, HKG et al and stop the farce of pairs of 747s following each other out of those airports at or around midnight, there'll be no other way to go...
apart from Sydney what routes would fill it???
Tokyo
Hong Kong
Singapore - Melbourne
Bangkok - Sydney
Johannesburg
JFK (maybe 2)
Miami
San Francisco
Los Angeles
So how many is that to start with ? About 16 ?
I think putting it on the US routes will give the non- A380 carriers (ie the US ones) a real surprise in terms of passenger demand just to be on the latest generation aircraft. The same happened when the first 747s came along.
A-380
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FerdBerfle
For the A380-800F, yes. But that one won't be around until 2008 
The first flight for the A380 is slated for spring 2005, and I'l be damned if I'm not on Blagnac to see it for myself.
The first flight for the A380 is slated for spring 2005, and I'l be damned if I'm not on Blagnac to see it for myself.
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panda-k-bear,
to tell you the truth mate, I think there still are airlines out there looking at the standard 777-200/300s simply because of the engine choices. Boeing probably shot themselves in the foot offering just the GE-90 with the latest tripple.
BA would stand a better bet getting their hands on the 300ER than the A380s as they already are a 777 operator and have GE-90s as well as the Trent 800s (which btw are the better of the three engines).
Cheers.
to tell you the truth mate, I think there still are airlines out there looking at the standard 777-200/300s simply because of the engine choices. Boeing probably shot themselves in the foot offering just the GE-90 with the latest tripple.
BA would stand a better bet getting their hands on the 300ER than the A380s as they already are a 777 operator and have GE-90s as well as the Trent 800s (which btw are the better of the three engines).
Cheers.
How about LHR - YYZ? Daily I see a 747 and a 777 (BA) in Toronto. Why not one 380?
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In summer YYZ goes 3x, at the moment YYZ served by 1 x 744, 1 x 772 and another 772 a couple of days a week.
If YYZ was filling 3x 744 one might consider 2 x 380 but we pax like the extra time choices!
Cargo could be a factor too.
If YYZ was filling 3x 744 one might consider 2 x 380 but we pax like the extra time choices!
Cargo could be a factor too.
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Agree with many of those destinations, also think it will be a fine aeroplane. However, LAX? The passenger load is there, but the airport is tighter than .......... (whatever your favourite metaphor). It's tough enough taxiing and parking the -400, I think the 380 would have to go out on remotes at the West end. Wingtip-to-wingtip B/C taxiways won't work, tow-in parking on many stands for the -400 and 777 as it is.... 
Agreed the aircraft will have a certain cache about it, and that will attract a lot of curious travellers.
All we need is a movie to go with it: "Airport 2004 - The MegaBus"
Agreed the aircraft will have a certain cache about it, and that will attract a lot of curious travellers.
All we need is a movie to go with it: "Airport 2004 - The MegaBus"