A380...routes??

[mechelec]

Just a couple of questions for those who maybe in the know.. :confused:.:

1. Are there any 380's flying with fare paying pax at present, if so which routes are they operating?

2. When is the 380 expected to be a regular visitor to LHR?

m

[pwalhx]

Currently flying with SQ SIN-SYD

[chornedsnorkack]

Are there any 380's flying with fare paying pax at present,

Yes. Just one. Number 003, with Singapore Airways.

if so which routes are they operating?

Only one route. Singapore-Sydney-Singapore daily. It spends about 6 hours in Singapore airport, it has not needed longer maintenance for month and a half since 28t October and it is hoped that it will not need maintenance for a month or more yet.

When is the 380 expected to be a regular visitor to LHR?

The guesses are between January and April. Singapore certainly plans to fly daily SIN-LHR-SIN after it has received 2 more frames, numbers 005 and 006. Daily LHR flights cannot be done with just one plane, so there are speculations about what happens after 005 has arrived and before 006 arrives. Maybe 005 would fly 3 times in a week between SIN-LHR. Or maybe 005 replaces 003 on SIN-SYD while 003 is in maintenance, and SQ only starts flying more than one plane in service when 006 has arrived.

[cesare.caldi]

...numbers 005 and 006...

And number 004?

[Ian Brooks]

First for Etihad

Ian

[chornedsnorkack]

Numbers 002, 004, 007 and 009 are flying test and publicity flights for Airbus. After the completion of tests, they are supposed to be refitted with customer wires and interior and be delivered. They used to be destined for Etihad; however, Etihad has deferred delivery. There are speculations that when Etihad does take delivery of their A380 orders, they take new airframes and the test planes would be sold secondhand as whitetails. One of the whitetail test frame buyers is alleged to be the Kingdom Holdings for the first Flying Palace.

[MANFlyer]

By March SQ will have it on SQ322/SQ317 to/from LHR a few times a week.

[chornedsnorkack]

on SQ322/SQ317 to/from LHR a few times a week.

How many times?

[roverman]

SIA will begin A380 into Heathrow on 8th February and are talking to MAN about being the 1st Alternate. No plans to introduce A380 on regular services to MAN in the foreseeable future but SQ327/328 likely to be upgraded to the 3-class B777-300ER next year.