A380 future
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 906
Likes: 102
From: Southampton
A380 future
With all the talk of social isolation continuing in a post Covid-19 world and the suggestion that middle seats should be left vacant, does this mean that the A380 may have a better future?
The aircraft is large enough to allow for a little more spacing, whilst still allowing a significant load and therefore a lot more financially viable.
Do you think that those airlines who operate it may have an advantage?
The aircraft is large enough to allow for a little more spacing, whilst still allowing a significant load and therefore a lot more financially viable.
Do you think that those airlines who operate it may have an advantage?
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 417
Likes: 20
From: D(Emona)
What a load of crap. I remember results of doing swabs of security check trays, seat buckes and tray tables. All contained humongous amount of various, including fecal bacteria. We are all pigs and like Less Hair wrote, leaving empty seats will not stop bloody Corona.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,701
Likes: 2,046
From: Reading, UK
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: England
I'd like to think personal hygiene had improved somewhat but airline travel and reducing the R number are mutually incompatible. Aer Lingus flight BFS-LHR recently made the news, virtually full, essential travel?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,726
Likes: 103
From: The Winchester
All true, but I suspect if the tales of the 380s operating costs vs. most big twin are true the 380 might cope less economically with blocked seats than other types, so to answer the OPs question, no I don't think the 380 will get a reprieve because of CV-19.
Joined: Jul 2010
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 278
From: Asia
There might be a niche for a few freighter conversions. With them being gradually dropped from pax flights, their second hand value is negligible which may make the cost of modifications worth doing as the airframes are still relatively young. A low purchase price, expensive modifications but a long service life afterwards might swing the balance for a few operators.
The airports that can accommodate A380s are limited but fuel is likely to remain cheap for a few years so a handful may soldier on in the freight role.
The airports that can accommodate A380s are limited but fuel is likely to remain cheap for a few years so a handful may soldier on in the freight role.
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 0
From: Siargao Island
There might be a niche for a few freighter conversions. With them being gradually dropped from pax flights, their second hand value is negligible which may make the cost of modifications worth doing as the airframes are still relatively young. A low purchase price, expensive modifications but a long service life afterwards might swing the balance for a few operators.
The airports that can accommodate A380s are limited but fuel is likely to remain cheap for a few years so a handful may soldier on in the freight role.
The airports that can accommodate A380s are limited but fuel is likely to remain cheap for a few years so a handful may soldier on in the freight role.
A380 freighters? ... The B747 gets away with it having a nose opening, other freighters need a side cargo door, an A380 with a door on each level and is that upper floor strong enough to take heavy pallets rolling up and down it?
At least with reduced loads on such routes as DXB/SYD they'll be able to carry the baggage and not just the passengers!
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
It is very sad that the 380 came along too late to be a success. From the Pax perspective - it's a great machine. I have chosen it over numerous other long haul machines.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,701
Likes: 2,046
From: Reading, UK
Well it wouldn't be the first.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...anteufel-1.jpg
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Near Gatwick
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,701
Likes: 2,046
From: Reading, UK
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 881
Likes: 67
From: UK
I gather it has long been lamented that A380 freighter conversions are a non-starter due to the design of the passenger aircraft. Plenty on this topic online to tell you why.
Airbus cancelled the A380F project when the orders from Fedex and UPS iirc were canned.
As for future passenger use by the Legacy airlines that bought them?
It will either be a very handy people mover, or they may go to the scrapyard.
Airbus cancelled the A380F project when the orders from Fedex and UPS iirc were canned.
As for future passenger use by the Legacy airlines that bought them?
It will either be a very handy people mover, or they may go to the scrapyard.
Joined: Jul 2013
Aviation Qualifications: Non-Aircrew
Posts: 5,677
Likes: 3,337
From: Everett, WA
Some sort of combi setup might be an option, but the regulations covering a combi have become far more restrictive (see Helderberg as to why), so certifying a new combi aircraft would very difficult - especially for a retrofit.
All the existing combi aircraft were certified over 20 years ago, before the regulations were tightened.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
South African Airways Fl 295 Helderberg
November 1987. The 742 Combi had freight at the rear of the main deck as well as below. This accident was pretty much the end of large scale combis for long haul. I think that, now, there only short haul combies to remote areas like Alaska in 737s.
November 1987. The 742 Combi had freight at the rear of the main deck as well as below. This accident was pretty much the end of large scale combis for long haul. I think that, now, there only short haul combies to remote areas like Alaska in 737s.
Joined: Jun 2013
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 101
From: Róisín Dubh
South African Airways Fl 295 Helderberg
November 1987. The 742 Combi had freight at the rear of the main deck as well as below. This accident was pretty much the end of large scale combis for long haul. I think that, now, there only short haul combies to remote areas like Alaska in 737s.
November 1987. The 742 Combi had freight at the rear of the main deck as well as below. This accident was pretty much the end of large scale combis for long haul. I think that, now, there only short haul combies to remote areas like Alaska in 737s.
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.