Virginlover1 From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2004, 49 posts, RR: 0 Posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 5589 times:
Who is the going to be the first customer to launch the A380 some people say virgin,others say emirates,some even say Singapore will be the first does anybody know
Boeingfever777 From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 409 posts, RR: 57 Reply 2, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 5473 times:
Please delete this topic!
The first flight is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2004, and the entry into commercial service, with Singapore Airlines, is scheduled for March 2006.
A/c data and history!
some people say virgin numerous posts discussed VS postponing there order until 2008 I believe.
Scorpio From Belgium, joined Oct 2001, 4934 posts, RR: 47 Reply 4, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 5270 times:
There was a whole debate over who was going to be the first to operate the jet back when it was launched: SIA or Emirates. Both had early orders, both are very prestigeous. I seem to remember something about Emirates recieving its first A380 right after SIA (like the next day or something). Anyone know more about that?
StudentFlyer From Australia, joined Sep 2004, 688 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 5046 times:
From what I have read, It is EK that will be the Launch Customer, but SQ will be the one to operate the first Revenue-scheduled flight.
I have also heard rumours that the first 4 or 5 production aircraft (given the out-of-whack sequence, which I'm not totally sure of), will go to Etihad Airways, since these a/c are heavier than the will-be production a/c. Etihad paid less (and didn't care about the weight) than other airlines for these first 4 or 5 a/c because of the weight problem, and EK as well as SQ, is rumoured to receive the lighter production a/c, as opposed to the first couple of a/cs. This is why the delivery date for EK and SQ is moved from 1st Q 2006 to late 2nd or early 3rd Q 2006.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that was what I heard.
Srilankan_340 From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2002, 201 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 4992 times:
I am not too sure about the weight theory suggested by studentflyer.
As I understood it, It's to do with the Engine choice.
Although EK was the first to signup, they have chosen the Engine Alliance Engines (GE&PW) while the RR is the lead engine on the A380 program.(I.e. It will be certified first).
As SQ has opted for the RR engines they will be the ones to get the First A380.
As Virgin has also opted for a delay in delivery, it might be possible that Ethiad might get some of the early aircrafts on the production line IF they choose the RR engines.(based on factors a few months ago they have not yet made a decision as to the choice of engine)
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self- centered: Forgive them anyway - Mother Theresa
JoFMO From Germany, joined Jul 2004, 2211 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 4870 times:
Just to clarify:
The launch customer is not the first airline that brings a new aircraft in operation. Launch customers are a group of airlines who order an airplane at a very early stage. And due to their higher risk of ordering an aircraft before it's given stats are proved, they get an discount. Therefore at least SQ,EK,LH,AF and VS are launch customers for the A380.
But your question VirginLover1 had the intention to know which one is the first commercial operator of it, am I right?
And that is definitely SQ in the 2nd quarter 2006.
StudentFlyer From Australia, joined Sep 2004, 688 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 4762 times:
What about QF? Weren't they also one of the launch customer? That's why they started buying the A330s because they got a discount from being one of the A380's launch customer?
JoFMO From Germany, joined Jul 2004, 2211 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 4695 times:
Yeah, QF is also a launch customer. Maybe there is even one more. I don't know exactly who else got the special launch conditions. But at least my above mentioned plus QF got them.
Henpol747 From Mexico, joined Jun 2001, 587 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 3525 times:
Virginlover1, wellcome to the forum. To the best of my knowledge EK will be the launch customer and SQ will operate the first revenue scheduled flight. I´m not sure about AF postponing the delivery of its 380´s though.
Aussie747 From Australia, joined Aug 2003, 1161 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3234 times:
That must mean the marketinging gurus at EK have got it wrong!!!!
When I spoke to the them a few weeks ago in Sydney they did not expect to see there first A380 until about DEC 2006. They even admitted SQ and QF would get their A380's before EK would
Bill142 From Australia, joined Aug 2004, 8320 posts, RR: 9 Reply 14, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 3293 times:
SQ, EK, QF, MH, KE, FX, LH, AF, VS, ILFC and QR have all firm orders to date. TG and Eithiad have ordered but aren't firm yet.
To my knowledge SQ, EK and QF all ordered back when it was still the A3XX
TradewindL1011 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 179 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 2011 times:
I think what Virginlover1 is looking for is who the All Nippon of the A380 is. Think of it as an analogy, NH is to the 7E7 as ____ is to the A380 yes? NH placed the first orders, as well as it will take the first delivery and make the first revenue flight. Boeing made it very clear from the outset who the first "launch customer" was, whereas Airbus is requiring much debate of the subject. I haven't seen any threads asking who the 7E7 launch customer is. Now it is obvious if we go by JoFMO's interpretation of the phrase, we can also include NZ, DP, Blue Panorama, and Primaris as launch customers as well.........but we all know that NH is the Pan Am of the 7E7. So who will be the Pan Am for the A380?
Philsquares From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 1967 times:
SQ is the launch customer. They will receive their A-380 first. SQ will also have the first revenue flight on the 380. At one time, there was a plan to have SQ have the first flight to depart for LHR and EK would be the first to land at LH. However, Ek's deliveries have slipped slightly and now SQ will be the first carrier to have a revenue flight into LHR.
Boeingfever777 From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 409 posts, RR: 57 Reply 18, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1835 times:
How is VS still a launch customer when they have delayed there order a yr?
SQ is the launch customer. I think Philsquares, is 100% right! Just because EK placed a massive order does not mean they will have the first revenue flight.
Lockheed1011 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 156 posts, RR: 2 Reply 19, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1786 times:
A380, old news. Airlines are pushing back the delivery dates. ( I wonder why?)
N1120a From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 21, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 1761 times:
According to Airbus, there are several airlines, including EK, SQ, QF, LH and more that are considered launch customers. It is sort of like the 747. PA ordered the plane first, helped design it, and flew the first one in service, but there were many launch customers.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Boeingfever777 From United States of America, joined Jul 2009, 409 posts, RR: 57 Reply 24, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 1568 times:
25 Gigneil: Airlines are pushing back the delivery dates. And others are moving them forward. N
26 Aviasian: Philsquares has got it absolutely right. The original arrangement was for an SIA A380 to take off from Changi Airport bound for Heathrow. It would be
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