A380's Short Life
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I haven't flown the A380 and I'm not pro Airbus in any way. However, after having flown the A340-600 from LHR-LAX a million times, it's real hard to go back to the 747. The 747 is noisy (much much noisier than the A340), the plastics rattle, the design of the interiors is outdated even on the newest ones and the bleed air from the engines for the air con always smell of kerosene. So for passenger satisfaction I fear Airbus wins hands down on long haul.
The 777 is a great ride and I'm sure the 787 will be even greater. I look forward to being a passenger on them.
The 777 is a great ride and I'm sure the 787 will be even greater. I look forward to being a passenger on them.
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Let's sort the facts from the emotion.
The A380 is the latest and as with anything new there will always be people who will want to buy the latest car,TV whatever to be the first regardless of what the new product is like.The 787 when delivered will be the same as will anything else.
You would expect the A380 to be fancier and with more gadgets than older aircraft.The one advantage that it seems to have is that it is quieter.Then again if you have headphones on and you're listening to your favourite channel or latest movie that is a moot point.
I have asked friends after they have had a trip what they flew on and most would not have a clue.If the food is good,the drinks were cold or hot as the case maybe,the IFE has worked and they arrived on time then it wouldn't matter if it was a cessna 150 or a space shuttle.
The questions that should be asked is are the figures for break even realistic and not journalistic rubbish?
If they are true and airbus is not getting enough orders to keep the production line viable then it will not be around for long.
That is not correct,I have flown as crew on an airbus that was on it's second flight and cabin fixtures fell off,the movie screens failed and the crew information screens went south as well.
It's well know that airbus aircraft are nick named plastic fantastic.As for interior design that is an airline issue and has nothing to do with the make of aircraft.
As for help,the EU has been just as guilty as the American government for helping out it's aviation or industry for that matter.
The A380 is the latest and as with anything new there will always be people who will want to buy the latest car,TV whatever to be the first regardless of what the new product is like.The 787 when delivered will be the same as will anything else.
You would expect the A380 to be fancier and with more gadgets than older aircraft.The one advantage that it seems to have is that it is quieter.Then again if you have headphones on and you're listening to your favourite channel or latest movie that is a moot point.
I have asked friends after they have had a trip what they flew on and most would not have a clue.If the food is good,the drinks were cold or hot as the case maybe,the IFE has worked and they arrived on time then it wouldn't matter if it was a cessna 150 or a space shuttle.
The questions that should be asked is are the figures for break even realistic and not journalistic rubbish?
If they are true and airbus is not getting enough orders to keep the production line viable then it will not be around for long.
The 747 is noisy (much much noisier than the A340), the plastics rattle, the design of the interiors is outdated
It's well know that airbus aircraft are nick named plastic fantastic.As for interior design that is an airline issue and has nothing to do with the make of aircraft.
As for help,the EU has been just as guilty as the American government for helping out it's aviation or industry for that matter.
I think you all are missing the point.
It doesn't matter how good the aircraft is if Airbus doesn't sell enough of them to cover its development and build costs.
The figure for break-even must now be North of 600 units, and the order book has been stalled at 200 for the last three years.
Would any business actually responsible to its shareholders persevere with a loss-making project that will continue to cost them billions?
I think Airbus WILL continue low-rate production because of political flag waving and fear of the repercussions of the mass lay-offs canceling the aircraft would bring, but I'm pretty comfortable EADS will NEVER make a profit out of manufacturing the A380.
It doesn't matter how good the aircraft is if Airbus doesn't sell enough of them to cover its development and build costs.
The figure for break-even must now be North of 600 units, and the order book has been stalled at 200 for the last three years.
Would any business actually responsible to its shareholders persevere with a loss-making project that will continue to cost them billions?
I think Airbus WILL continue low-rate production because of political flag waving and fear of the repercussions of the mass lay-offs canceling the aircraft would bring, but I'm pretty comfortable EADS will NEVER make a profit out of manufacturing the A380.
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he 747 is noisy (much much noisier than the A340), the plastics rattle, the design of the interiors is outdated
As for rattling interior fittings well that is most definitely not a problem the 744s have ever had. On the other hand the product from Europe that I do operate on [A330] rattles alarmingly on take off and landing. I doubt the A380 is any different.
Is it all the seats in A zone that move due to foot traffic/floor flex or just 1K?
What about the "Russell Crowe memorial stairs" at the front of the aircraft that groan so loudly [lack of ambient noise] that no one can use them during the night ?
The same for the cart elevator............?
G'day bushy,
I don't doubt that the A380 will have a long service life but I, and others it seems, have doubts concerning the length of its production life. Much like Concord.
I don't doubt that the A380 will have a long service life but I, and others it seems, have doubts concerning the length of its production life. Much like Concord.
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Following the A380 story since its early years (I live close to XFW 
) I am pro A380. Besides this fact I am also able to have a look at the market and its numbers.
Sure the A380 will not be sold in numbers like the good B737 but it fits (as mentioned here before) into a special niche. The question is: how big is this niche? Currently about 200 a/c + 50 something options. EK just recently announced to order more A380 aircraft. No numbers were given yet. The current order book will keep the A380 production busy for about 10+ years (depending on production ramp up). I say its enough to secure more orders to extend the production time. To bring the aircraft to success it will need at least 15...25 ordered aircraft a year over that period of time. Looking at the numbers from the last few years I have to express my doubts.
A comment on the "quality" and "look-and-feel" debate (Pax view):
Generally I prefer the A320 series over the B737 family aircraft (one reason for me to go on Air Berlin instead of Lufthansa on the route I fly every month). Even with refurbishments the B737 "looks and feels" a bit outdated. Well, this type of a/c is a lot older than the A320. A replacement for the B737 was announced ages ago. Let's see if it will come with an interior that I will like.
) I am pro A380. Besides this fact I am also able to have a look at the market and its numbers.Sure the A380 will not be sold in numbers like the good B737 but it fits (as mentioned here before) into a special niche. The question is: how big is this niche? Currently about 200 a/c + 50 something options. EK just recently announced to order more A380 aircraft. No numbers were given yet. The current order book will keep the A380 production busy for about 10+ years (depending on production ramp up). I say its enough to secure more orders to extend the production time. To bring the aircraft to success it will need at least 15...25 ordered aircraft a year over that period of time. Looking at the numbers from the last few years I have to express my doubts.
A comment on the "quality" and "look-and-feel" debate (Pax view):
Generally I prefer the A320 series over the B737 family aircraft (one reason for me to go on Air Berlin instead of Lufthansa on the route I fly every month). Even with refurbishments the B737 "looks and feels" a bit outdated. Well, this type of a/c is a lot older than the A320. A replacement for the B737 was announced ages ago. Let's see if it will come with an interior that I will like.
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Hm, maybe my English is not that good. Get your own impression from this article
He [Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline] said the global economic crisis had not forced its fleet expansion plans to be put on hold, adding that an announcement of A380 orders would be made soon.
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For all the anti airbus / pro boeing guys out there....
There is now another plane out there other than the 747,
The passengers like it more,
The airlines like it more,
Its bigger than yours,
The pilots get paid more to fly it than a 747,
Get over it!!!!!
P.S. Better get used to fly by wire too because all of your new Boeings will have it too.
Bulla
There is now another plane out there other than the 747,
The passengers like it more,
The airlines like it more,
Its bigger than yours,
The pilots get paid more to fly it than a 747,
Get over it!!!!!
P.S. Better get used to fly by wire too because all of your new Boeings will have it too.
Bulla
