A lifeline for the A380?

[OPENDOOR]

A first look at Emirates’ all-new £350m Airbus A380 ‘superjumbo’

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x600/premium_eco_with_ppe_crew_trans_nvbqzqnjv4bqqvzuuqpflyliwib6 ntmjwqubjvlgsynhmdwe1gu_tja_d0b75147a9d72d52ca0d2aa8a7e80945 7f68a660.jpg

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/first-look-emirates-all-new-350m-airbus-a380-superjumbo/

[osborne]

I must be thick, I don't get the joke.

And the article is behind a paywall.

[DaveReidUK]

You do know that production ends this year ?

[Dave Gittins]

Whilst my few experiences of A380s were very pleasant, a lick of paint won't magically produce passengers. Not when most airlines are contemplating using narrow bodies rather than wide bodies.

[Pistonprop]

I wasn't going to subscribe to read the article and ascertain what class that is. If it's Economy that's amazing. If it's Business then it's quite tight compared to other carriers.

[Dave Gittins]

Two seats between the aisle and window looks like BA Premium Economy or Norwegian Premium. Armrests are a bit thin and that wood looks like the dashboard on my Dad's 1968 Wolseley 6/110.

However I still think the problem is getting a full A380s worth of people that want to go to the same place at the same time.

[Rt Hon Jim Hacker MP]

How long do we think the last one off the line will live for? My guess is 7 years before it's scrapped.

[Sioltach Dubh Glas]

I wasn't going to subscribe to read the article and ascertain what class that is. If it's Economy that's amazing. If it's Business then it's quite tight compared to other carriers.

It's Emirates new Premium Economy - looks very nice.

[Less Hair]

Is it true they take out the showers?

[Dave Gittins]

Just read in Aviation Week what a challenge there is for the 777X as everybody downsizes long haul aircraft. Especially as the three ME carriers have ordered 240 of the 350 on order. I can't see them being able to use A380s and 777Xs for a very long time. This makes it look as though Emirates 156 orders for 777Xs is under threat.

[Deckbacon]

All this shows me is how hard they're working to sell something that isn't needed. The 777X will be doomed for this, too big for the market again

[PAXboy]

I do hope that BA will hang on to some of theirs, as LHR will remain with two runways for the forseeable future (in my view, in perpetuity).

After only five sectors in 380s SQ + BA (all in Premium Economy) on both decks, I can confirm that it is a delight to ride in. She is not a looker and has none of the majesty of the Queen of the Skies, but she is great. I shall look out for any route I plan that has the 380.

Sadly, Airbus took too long to make up their mind to build. Five years earlier or more, would have been great.

[Mr Mac]

PAXboy
Same here. I have been lucky to spend a lot of time on EK/SQ/LH A380 and she is my A/C of choice, but as you say not a "looker" but as a travelling experience far better than the rest. For a large twin the A350 in my opinion trumps the 777/787 the later of which I really do avoid.

[4468]

The problem with the A380 has very little to do with individual customer’s preference for the onboard experience. It’s purely economics. Airlines are run by accountants, not hoteliers.

If the aircraft’s half empty it will haemorrhage money, and unlike other types it’s useless for hold loaded freight.

The designers put all their eggs in one basket with this design.

[TheFrenchConnection]

Is it true they take out the showers?
DAMN ! I was looking forward to my A380 first class , shower with Jennifer - when we are Covid clear
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3823683/Jennifer-Aniston-makes-cute-new-friend-new-Emirates-airlines-advert-sending-social-media-wild-snooty-5million-promo.html

[PAXboy]

True it is all economics and I know that.
By the way, I concur with you Mr Mac about the 787. I have had four sectors on them and sworn off them for life. Looking forward to the 350 when possible. The 777 is a workhorse and reliable.

[Haven't a clue]

Paxboy the A350 is wonderful. Have flown Finnair machines many times in 2018/9 to HK, my usual destination. Used to fly BA A380 in F but they switched the first flight from LHR from A380 to B777 (which is very noisy in the front) so I responded by getting the timing that suits me with Finnair in C and saved some money in the process... BTW storage in AY C is poor compared to other C offerings, but it works if you think ahead.

[Busbitch]

I'll NEVER fly Emirates again. Nobody in my family will. Not after watching how they treated their expat staff last year, utterly disgraceful.

[matkat]

I have had the pleasure of C on the A380 LHR-AUH and last year, DOH-EDI also in C both wonderful but the A350 C with Qatar edged it totally fantastic. On that particular trip the outbound flight was EDI-ICN-ULN flew ICN-ULN on a Korean A330 their C class was exceptional.

[Dave Gittins]

Surprised to hear about the 787. Norwegian Premium from LGW-DEN was a serious improvement on BAs Queen of the Skies in Premium Economy on the LHR-DEN route. Service was better too.

However with the current restrictions when It'll concern me again is anybody's guess. Not soon I'll wager until the vaccine and anti-vaxers are both sorted out.

[SpringHeeledJack]

I suppose it can depend on the class that one is flying in as to how nice a flight is, or to a degree the corporate culture of each airline. I've not had the pleasure of the 380, but have few complaints about the 777 or 787, except for those BA 777's that were LGW based going to the Carribbean with a laughable foot/legspace area due to the IFE boxes for each seat being in the passenger space. All my handful of 787 experiences have been good, so I'm curious to know what the issues of the road-warriors were, as they would have regular experience to judge one against the other.

[PAXboy]

(thread drift) Primarily, I do not like the 787 because of it's windows. It is stated that indvidual windows can have their glass set to 'open' by the CC. I have yet to find this. They tell me that they cannot 'open' the window and, consequently, I cannout see out whenever I want to. For early morning, I tell them that I will place a blanket fully over my head so as not to disturb anyone else. No. Cannot be done.

For me, looking at the world from an aircraft window is very important. At night, I enjoy seeing the stars, moon, thunderstorms and the lights on the ground. I particularly like to watch the sunrise at FL390. I do not want to have my view obstructed by fancy electronic windows dreamt up by someone who thought it would be 'modern' or a carrier trying to impose their rules of lockdown - to coin a phrase! They subject me to a colour show of pastel shades when they want to wake me up for food and the window makes the world look pink.

I may have been happily awake, reading, watching and listening and, ideally, take careful peaks out at the passing scene - with the blanket to stop light spilling. I take my sunglasses with me for this treat.

Secondly, I am not comfortable with the design and build of the aircraft. No major prangs to date but never happy about them having to rejig the battery housing and some other points. But that's another story.

[Mr Mac]

SpringHeeledJack
The 777 is a bit like a pick up truck ie rugged, but noisy I find, and the air circulation is not great in comparison with the Airbus products. Those BA ones at Gatwick as you say are cramped, although I have only flown on that fleet once some years ago. The 787 as PAXboy says disappoints with its window blinds, and also as I flew on them a bit with ANA, who were a launch partner, they had some tech issues, and there is the battery issue which is always in the back of the mind, especially when out over the bigger oceans. They have not yet had a big prang with 787, but I am a little unsure about new Boeing products in general at the moment due to the engineering issues v accountancy led short cuts, which have occurred. Just to balance things re Airbus, the A330 is not a plane I like flying that much, as I used to spend a bit of time on EK ones before they moved more to 777 on the routes I used, and the seats in Business were not as good as the 777. The A340 had also had issues with seats on some carriers, but generally I quite liked it.

As in all things the actual airline can make a big difference in the seats and make up they chose, and the class you fly (luckily Business in my case), and indeed the service provided by their staff, and I take equal care in choosing them as well. Hope that help explains things from my point of view.

[krismiler]

Emirates are heavily committed to the A380, with it making up close to half of their total fleet. They have no option but to keep flying them even if they’re half empty. Cabin refurbishment and a new premium economy product makes them more attractive to pax and keeps the load factors up.

The A380 is now a flagship rather than a serious money maker. It gives the airline status, similar to BA and AF with the Concorde. EK will use it on premium routes and it will pull in pax, it might even run at a small profit but its days are basically over.

[SpringHeeledJack]

Thanks to both PAXboy and Mr Mac for your views regarding the 787. Yes, the windows are a pain and the mores of the cabin crew against reasonable personable choice is frustrating and diminishes enjoyment of the flight. I love looking out the window, especially over remote areas noting the topography and other features, making mental notes to look up what 'that' was later (and then forgetting to do so). The battery issues are a theme that I completelt forgot about, there were a spate of them in the first year of the 787, including that Ethiopian Airlines airframe at LHR. Yes, that remembering might have made me sweat a bit on over water flights, I'm glad that that issue has been solved, at least as far as I'm aware.

[TURIN]

Of all the problems the 787 has had, the battery issue is not one of them any more. It has been sorted.
The Ethiopean fire was caused by an ELT not an aircraft battery. As far as I know it was an isolated event.

[S.o.S.]

As we do not have much to talk about right now ... I am happy for this thread, initially about the A380, to continue to discuss experiences on all aircraft.

[Hartington]

I'm afraid that I believe some (by no means all) crews take their own action over windows. Some years ago, seated next to a window a crew member reached past me with a tray to extend their reach and, without a word, pushed the blind next to me down. I was so surprised and irritated that I immediately snapped it back up which I think caught the crew member off guard because they just walked off.
As fot the 787 my few flight so far haven't given me any problems with the windows. Yes, the crew has control but I've found that when they "turn the blinds down" I can still open them up again and I don't need to open them all the way.
Some years ago I was asked what my least favourite aircraft was. When I replied the 777 the questioner was aghast but I agree with those who say it's noisy inside. I'm very sorry to see the 747 going away (yes, I know there are a few still around). I've been flying long haul since the late 60s and a large proportion of those flights have been on a 747 and about my only complaint was that the further back you were seated the more movement there was even in still air.

[SpringHeeledJack]

've been flying long haul since the late 60s and a large proportion of those flights have been on a 747 and about my only complaint was that the further back you were seated the more movement there was even in still air.

Over the years I had the 'pleasure' of travelling on the middle last rows of various 747's as I found that this was where on not full flights where you might well find enough empty seats to be able to lie down and sleep. Disadvantages were smoke, if there were many smokers on board you were passive smoker of the year as all the smoke seemed to head to the back despite filtration and the dreaded chop as the massive tail bucked and weaved to countermand the front of the aircraft. I got used to this and learned to love the movements whilst prone in slumber. I never had the pleasure of the sweet spot in (row 2 ?) but did travel in the hump the odd time which was nice.

[TCU]

I'm beginning to think I may have had what might turn out to be a unique 2020 long haul experience....well at least for a chap whose never really grown up from being a teenage plane spotter

In late May, my repatriation flight from CPT-LHR was in BA B747-436 G-CIVO. 4th last ever BA 747 pax service as it turned out and my 58th and last ride in a BA B747 going back to 1978. In late November, the first leg of my return flight home to CPT, (LHR-DXB) was in EK A380-842 A6-EVK. So not only a 747/A380 long haul back to back, but two RR powered 4 holers back to back

The EK PE product looks very smart and when combined with the A380 flying experience, will, I am sure, be popular in a world with returned long haul travel

[Mr Mac]

Springhealedjack
One of my most uncomfortable flights was on a BA 747 in economy at the very back where the tail starts to narrow, so just two seats with door and jump seat behind. I had to come back urgently on a family medical issue, and all was full up front. Unfortunately I was sat next to a young lady coming of a gap year who was pretty unwell, and I elected to sit on Jumps seat / walked most of the way back from Nairobi to give her some room !!

[Peter47]

As a solo traveller I always tried to get a seat at the back of the 747 (once smoking sections were eliminated) as you could have a window seat with only one person between myself & the aisle, and there was also space for luggage at the side of the seat. I always lived in hope that others wouldn't want to sit at the back & leave the seat next to me free - that didn't always work. I actually don't mind a noisier aircraft as it masks other noises (sniffing, chewing, etc) that I find annoying. The problem with the back of the 747 is ventilation on the ground - awful when the APU is working & even worse when it isn't.

[Helol]

True it is all economics and I know that.
By the way, I concur with you Mr Mac about the 787. I have had four sectors on them and sworn off them for life. Looking forward to the 350 when possible. The 777 is a workhorse and reliable.

I flew LHR - JNB back in Nov 18 with BA on their 787. I think it was only the first week of this particular service with the 787. I flew economy, and chatting to others onboard, no-one was particularly impressed with it for such a long haul flight, it just seemed, well, small.

Although I usually fly with BA, next time I am looking to fly with Virgin on their 350 down to JNB. Not flown it before, and looking forward to it.

[Helol]

My last flight on the 747 was May 2019, on the JNB-LHR BA flight. We got to board it the old fashioned way too, by the stairs/steps. Wonderful! Little did I know it would be the last time :{

[PAXboy]

Peter47 reminds me of the those back rows in the 747. My Uncle, travelling to JNB on the 741 was a smoker but did not like the film. He observed, "If you wish to smoke, not watch the film and be two sitting together - the 747 is a 12 seat aircraft!"

I had my last flight of 2020 in February, riding back from CPT in a BA 744. Sitting in PE a lovely view over the wing, as illustrated. This also neatly demonstrates why I will not travel on the 787 with it's electronic windows! This is Northbound dawn.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1423x1897/425_sml_6e2a420121e7ac401f7ea207610e98dd8173ce4f.jpg

[vancouv]

In Feb 2020 I flew LHR-YVR-LHR on a BA 747 - at the time of booking I was disappointed they weren't flying A380s during the winter months. Given what's happened though I'm pleased I got to have what may well be my last flight on the Jumbo.

I have flown on the A380 and I loved it - sad that maybe I won't be on one again either.

[Rwy in Sight]

Paxboy, very very nice picture. You are a lucky boy you can make those pictures as a pax.

[PAXboy]

Thank you RiS. The above was just a snap on my mobile phone. The window has been important to me from my first flight, just over 55 years ago! Even on short haul and into places that I know very well, I want to see what's happening and have a ridculously large collection of photos. Strangely, the only flight that I did not document heavily was my one sector on Concorde! I have a few pics but I just soaked it up - absorbed it, rather than saw it through the viewfinder.

[Rwy in Sight]

PAXboy, I had a discussion about making pictures just the other day: pics conserve memories while when ones live the moment arguably enjoys more but has little memories left for later. I am enjoying having folders with various events I attended in the past and love to look at them while at the computer.

[SpringHeeledJack]

These days almost everyone is recording the moment and not living it, and more often than not seldom looked at again only to take up space on the hard drive/memory card in the device. I'm always torn if aircraft are involved, filming/photo, or just be in the moment . Perhaps a few photos and then just enjoy it

Still several A380's coming into the UK everyday, so there's hope yet.

[PAXboy]

Since not much news, this is from a SQ 380 in Feb 2016. Dawn over Australia on the SIN-SYD leg.
Not sure if we had just started our descent, wer climbing higher due to being lighter or I was not fully awake and not hold the camera level! We landed about about 07:40.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1124/10_934f465e1f6120e4834d9f864c15aefd524f8b26.jpg