Airbus A380 lifts the bar
 

From the Sunday Times (London)

Air travel is about to get a great deal more comfortable with lounges and bars in economy class on the giant Airbus 380 that was unveiled last month That is the promise from Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon who told The Sunday Times that "there would be special lounge areas in the first, business and economy sections of the aircraft".

"Economy class will be substantially improved in terms of space for passengers , entertainment and seating," he said.

Rather than 555 seats for its A380s, Qantas is only installing 501 seats in its A380s -- a significant reduction considering the 555-seat standard configuration was already more spacious than the 747 in terms of the passenger -floor space ratio.

Business and first-class passengers will also have a business centre for meetings and presentations.

"No one travels as far as Qantas has to travel, so the A380 is perfect for us in a lot of ways," Mr Dixon said.

In-flight entertainment is getting more than a once over with on-demand video , larger screens and internet access.

The secret to the aircraft's low noise levels are its four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, which are

designed to beat the world's toughest noise restrictions at London's Heathrow airport.

Airline chiefs at the unveiling of the A380 were in no doubt about the success of the giant jet.

Singapore Airlines CEO Chew Choon Seng said his airline would configure the jet to carry only 490 passengers.

Sir Richard Branson stole the show, suggesting that his A380s would have facilities such as gyms, beauty parlours, casinos and double beds.

Not to be outdone, Emirates boss Tim Clark promised that his A380s would also bristle with gadgets.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, confirmed showers would be included.

DJ737

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, confirmed showers would be included.

DJ737


Great! Hopefully some of their more smelly pax will use them then...

When I see it for the first time, it'll lift my bar...

It's got to fly first:E

Maybe the 501 passengers is to do with the fact that the aircraft is heavier than originally specified..I'm sure thery won't use inferior fittings to get the weight down:E

Showers? Just how much water are they going to carry to allow people to shower?

Last I looked water was pretty heavy stuff.

CC

Showers have been available on business jets for a long time now using a system that recycles the water through very fine filters such that supposedly no bacteria can be transmitted. This keeps the weight of water down but it will be interesting to see if the general public will accept the concept of showering with recycled water.

Wasn't Richard Branson the consumate exploiter of a commercial opportunity at the A380 unveiling in that he was spruiking about how the Virgin Atlantic configuration will offer more than any of its competitors - not a single word mentioned by our enlightened reporters that VA has delayed delivery of its A380's.