A380 future
Didn’t KLM have a pair of 747-400 Combis operating until a couple of months ago, one of which had it’s retirement delayed and is flying pure freight right now?
The current situation especially with PPE being shipped means the aircraft max out on volume rather than weight. I know Aer Lingus are filling the holds and cabins of their 230T and 242T A333s with between 15T and 18T of PPE on PEK-DUB flights, the extra 12T of lift doesn’t make the cabin or hold any bigger! As such the A380 might actually be very useful for that role. Mriya can haul 250T internally or 200T on the roof, I wonder what she is actually hauling when full of PPE.
The current situation especially with PPE being shipped means the aircraft max out on volume rather than weight. I know Aer Lingus are filling the holds and cabins of their 230T and 242T A333s with between 15T and 18T of PPE on PEK-DUB flights, the extra 12T of lift doesn’t make the cabin or hold any bigger! As such the A380 might actually be very useful for that role. Mriya can haul 250T internally or 200T on the roof, I wonder what she is actually hauling when full of PPE.
EVA also operated 747-400 Combi's (I once flew on one between Seattle and Taiwan), although I don't know what eventually became of them...
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Didn’t KLM have a pair of 747-400 Combis operating until a couple of months ago, one of which had it’s retirement delayed and is flying pure freight right now?
The current situation especially with PPE being shipped means the aircraft max out on volume rather than weight. I know Aer Lingus are filling the holds and cabins of their 230T and 242T A333s with between 15T and 18T of PPE on PEK-DUB flights, the extra 12T of lift doesn’t make the cabin or hold any bigger! As such the A380 might actually be very useful for that role. Mriya can haul 250T internally or 200T on the roof, I wonder what she is actually hauling when full of PPE.
The current situation especially with PPE being shipped means the aircraft max out on volume rather than weight. I know Aer Lingus are filling the holds and cabins of their 230T and 242T A333s with between 15T and 18T of PPE on PEK-DUB flights, the extra 12T of lift doesn’t make the cabin or hold any bigger! As such the A380 might actually be very useful for that role. Mriya can haul 250T internally or 200T on the roof, I wonder what she is actually hauling when full of PPE.
I've seen some maximum weights quoted here but not sure if they take in to account that once a pax aircraft is cannibalised in to a freighter all the uneccessary weights are stripped out of it allowing for increased payloads to be carried.
But I simply cannot imagine the A380 cutting it as an all-round freighter, perhaps better utilised parked-up outside a hotel or similar!
Maybe they have a future at water parks :
While it's true that you save weight by getting rid of the passenger accomodations, most of that weight goes back in on a freighter for things like the cargo handling system, side cargo door, and stronger floors. So the max payload numbers don't change much.
I've seen some maximum weights quoted here but not sure if they take in to account that once a pax aircraft is cannibalised in to a freighter all the uneccessary weights are stripped out of it allowing for increased payloads to be carried.
The 747-400 Combi's were certified before the regulations were changed. Once certified it remains certified even if the regulations change - new regulations are not retroactive. The only thing the feds can do once a configuration is certified is to issue an AD if they believe an unsafe condition exists.
EVA also operated 747-400 Combi's (I once flew on one between Seattle and Taiwan), although I don't know what eventually became of them...
EVA also operated 747-400 Combi's (I once flew on one between Seattle and Taiwan), although I don't know what eventually became of them...
Paxing All Over The World
It occurs to me that, now the LHR 3rd Runway is not going to happen, LHR remains slot limited and the 380 will be a welcome part of the mix. (Yes, I do know that some route will go but there are more than enough carriers in the 'Waiting Room')
