Thomasphoto60 From United States, joined Jan 2000, 3318 posts, RR: 31 Posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5868 times:
While not officially confirmed, however a trusted source (an assistant to a Houston City Council member) broke the story yesterday at Houston Spotters that EK and HAS (Houston Airports Systems) were meeting to discuss upcoming A380 service to the city, see the pasted comments from Houston Spotters below....
Just heard "news" that EK has recently met with HAS for plans to enter one of their 58 A380's for service to IAH!!!
I will pass more news along as I get it...
And today it was confirmed from this source.
UPDATE!!!
It has been CONFIRMED! Apparently, EK finds 'IAH can accommodate an A380 better than LAX'. - No public release as of yet, though.
We will be one of the first cities worked with one of Emirates' A380s! HAS plans to build a two story gate in terminal D to be able to load pax to/from both decks on the A380. Details to come later...
On a side note, I have been told that EK flights are booked all the way through December 2008. EK is blown away by the success; immediate plans call for an additional daily flight to/from IAH.
As the above post states, HAS will be adding a 2 story gate onto terminal D, in order to accomodate this monster, so it certainly will not be a '08' launch, rather sometime on '09'
I realize that some will refuse to believe this and pass it off as just another rumor, but the source is someone who is solid and frankly I am getting a real good vibe on this and as some of you who know my rep, I tend to play down most rumors. That said a lot can happen between now and launch date (when ever that is) to scrap the upgrade, i.e. a huge jump in oil, the Houston economy takes a nose dive, ect...put I am pumped to see that Houston has been added to that select list of pending A380 markets. I seem to recall just a few short years ago, most here (present company included) simply passed off any suggestion that IAH would see scheduled A380 service for years if not well into the next decade, The feelings were that the "Big Bus" would be the aircraft of the truly "important US cities", e.g,... LA, NYC (JFK, EWR), SF, Chicago, Miami and D.C. while backwaters like Houston, well.....
OK, let's see JFK will see it's first scheduled A380 service later in the year (EK), followed by QF to LAX in Oct, so are there any other US airports that are slated to see A380 service before the end of '08' or do I dare to suggest that IAH may the 3rd US airport to see scheduled A380 service?
Ikramerica From United States, joined May 2005, 18390 posts, RR: 59 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5819 times:
Quoting Thomasphoto60 (Thread starter): It has been CONFIRMED! Apparently, EK finds 'IAH can accommodate an A380 better than LAX'. - No public release as of yet, though.
Absolutely. IAH is a hub and central to the USA, so not only does it support oil business, but far more connections than LAX.
And the end of Terminal D should hold an A380 just fine. D-12. Or it's possibly D4/4A can be modified to offer dual jet bridges, as there's room there for an A380 to park without disrupting D3 and D5.
With the retired FIS space under Terminal D, is there room for EK to build a premium lounge for F and J? Or has that space been reclaimed for other uses?
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Ikramerica From United States, joined May 2005, 18390 posts, RR: 59 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5809 times:
Quoting Thomasphoto60 (Thread starter): OK, let's see JFK will see it's first scheduled A380 service later in the year (EK), followed by QF to LAX in Oct, so are there any other US airports that are slated to see A380 service before the end of '08' or do I dare to suggest that IAH may the 3rd US airport to see scheduled A380 service?
SQ is still a possibility. SFO or LAX. One can hope…
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 3749 posts, RR: 43 Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 5583 times:
The A 380 is being looked at for IAH mainly because of the higher amount of high yielding F & J class seats that the A 380 has which EK feels the city can easily fill up 80% + consistently on a year round basis.
The yield obtained from the J & F class pax on board the A 380 operated DXB-IAH-DXB flights will be more than enough to compensate for the low load factor in economy class on any given flight if such a situation arose.
Ikramerica From United States, joined May 2005, 18390 posts, RR: 59 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 5560 times:
Quoting Behramjee (Reply 6): The yield obtained from the J & F class pax on board the A 380 operated DXB-IAH-DXB flights will be more than enough to compensate for the low load factor in economy class on any given flight if such a situation arose.
Lightsaber From United States, joined Jan 2005, 4938 posts, RR: 84 Reply 10, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 5296 times:
I think that IAH is the logical choice for an A380. However... Is the range enough?
Now I've been a big advocate of the A380 and I've pointed out its range is a few percent better than promise. But for the 77W, with its ~7800nm range, the payload is restricted (basically to below a 77L's capacity). The A388 with GP7200's will only have an 8200nm range (or so). Is that enough extra range to make it worth displacing 2X day 77L's?
This is one of those questions best answered by a route planned.
Lightsaber
Need to throw a party every six months to organize the place.
Super80DFW From United States, joined Oct 2007, 1240 posts, RR: 11 Reply 11, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 5188 times:
If EK is wanting to start A380 service to IAH because of F & J class pax, why shouldn't they just do what SQ did with their A345? Unless they are positive that they could fill it full in all classes, the all Business Class idea seems best.
Right now, there is an AA MD-80 on approach over my house.
Justloveplanes From United States, joined Jul 2004, 471 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 5141 times:
I am from Houston and not at all surprised by the massive succcess EK has had IAH DXB. It's a natural market for the worlds largest petroleum and chemical centers. A huge daily flow that will attract more traffic by the sheer convenience. Halliburton is moved to DXB so Houston and Dubai will become as attached to the hip for energy as London and NYC are for finance. And right now only one direct service....EK.
I believe this report, as soon as the right aircraft were there (77L, A380) away she went....
Ramzi From Lebanon, joined Oct 2006, 231 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 4798 times:
Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 5): I think the question should be rather, where is EK *not* sending a 380?
Posts like these never cease to amuse me. Almost every time I log in, there is at least one topic about EK flying their A380 somewhere or opening up a new destination with an A380 arriving. Too bad a topic like this will become boring in a year or two. Best of luck to EK.
ZRH From Switzerland, joined Nov 1999, 4973 posts, RR: 39 Reply 15, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 4748 times:
Quoting Lightsaber (Reply 10): The A388 with GP7200's will only have an 8200nm range (or so). Is that enough extra range to make it worth displacing 2X day 77L's?
Jacobin777 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 13323 posts, RR: 68 Reply 16, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 4711 times:
Quoting Kappel (Reply 14): Quote:
I think the question should be rather, where is EK *not* sending a 380?
AMS for one...
In fact, AMS has no EK pax service at all. IIRC one of the only top 20 hubs in the world that EK does not serve. Sad
...technically EK does fly to AMS..only no pax...
Quoting ZRH (Reply 15): Quoting Lightsaber (Reply 10):
The A388 with GP7200's will only have an 8200nm range (or so). Is that enough extra range to make it worth displacing 2X day 77L's?
Jacobin777 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 13323 posts, RR: 68 Reply 18, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 4569 times:
Quoting Scouseflyer (Reply 17): "That being said, I wonder how much cargo it will would be able to haul... ...according to EK, the -200LR hauls a lot of cargo on the route.."
Maybe they're looking at keeping one of the T7 flights and having one A380 - same overall cargo lift and a big rise in pax
That would be quite a jump in the amount of seats...
ZRH From Switzerland, joined Nov 1999, 4973 posts, RR: 39 Reply 19, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 4559 times:
Quoting Jacobin777 (Reply 16): This is only "still air miles"..it doesn't take into consideration operational conditions such as headwinds, temperature, etc.
I agree but the difference is still more than 1000 nm which is a lot.
Jacobin777 From United States, joined Sep 2004, 13323 posts, RR: 68 Reply 21, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 4493 times:
Quoting ZRH (Reply 19): Quoting Jacobin777 (Reply 16):
This is only "still air miles"..it doesn't take into consideration operational conditions such as headwinds, temperature, etc.
I agree but the difference is still more than 1000 nm which is a lot.
While I wouldn't be surprised to see it fly the route with pax, it won't make it with max payload....regardless, the payload/range charts, as well as some other numbers would be able to give a good idea.
Quoting Yellowtail (Reply 20): Or have 1X380 and an 777F flight daily for the freight...lord knows they could fill it.
Haan From South Africa, joined Aug 2004, 278 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 3664 times:
Sorry but I dont ever see Emirates operating the A380 to IAH.
The A380 will be to much restricted on Payload on the DXB-IAH sector
with a flying time of 16H.
Sorry, but just cant see it hapening.
SlcDeltaRUmd11 From United States, joined Jan 2004, 481 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 3460 times:
This route seems like a total contender for an all business/first layout. the flight is probably loaded to the brims with business travellers. There probably is more o&d for a premium cabin on this route than NYC, Chicago, or LA since they dont have the premium business travel that Houston does with the oil/energy industries
Ikramerica From United States, joined May 2005, 18390 posts, RR: 59 Reply 24, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3430 times:
Quoting SlcDeltaRUmd11 (Reply 23): This route seems like a total contender for an all business/first layout. the flight is probably loaded to the brims with business travellers.
I would imagine that it would be a candidate for their proposed high premium ratio configuration, but not an all F/J layout. My guess is that they will block off Y seats as well. If the armrests flip up, that means a lot of Y pax who can lie down on the 7000nm flight.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Yellowtail From Belize, joined Jun 2005, 2217 posts, RR: 1 Reply 25, posted (1 year 4 months 2 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 3376 times:
Quoting SlcDeltaRUmd11 (Reply 23): This route seems like a total contender for an all business/first layout. the flight is probably loaded to the brims with business travellers. There probably is more o&d for a premium cabin on this route than NYC, Chicago, or LA since they dont have the premium business travel that Houston does with the oil/energy industries
I think you are right. I would bet also the average F/J fare is higher compared to those others. Most of the airlines BA/KL/LH/AF/EK/CO (on competing routes) find that their F&J are usually full with their Y's so so. Also the reason why KL has that BBJ plying the route.
I have a friend who has flown the Ek flight 4 X R T from IAH and he told me that every time F&J were full. Y was about 80%...alot of that being pax who couldn't get a J seat!
Flown just about everything!
26 Kappel: I know, that's why I said: Early morning Jacobin?
27 Thomasphoto60: I don't know, the sources (city official) and another reliable source seem to be verifying that this is a 'done deal'. Aside from actual verification
28 Ikramerica: If that's really the case, they will definitely have to build an EK premium lounge downstairs somewhere as the Presidents club is not big enough nor
29 AznMadSci: Then the only place I see them doing this is around gates D4/D4A/D5. A few weeks back, I saw EK boarding out of D5. If EK wanted to build their own l
30 Ikramerica: I still wonder what the space downstairs is being used for. With the international arrivals building fully operational, what is the old FIS and custo
31 AznMadSci: From what I remember seeing, they had closed off, and not sure if in service anymore, the baggage claim belt that was previously open and used mainly
32 Jacobin777: ...you know what Kappel, maybe I should have thoroughly read your comments first before answering...
33 Toxtethogrady: It would certainly be a shock if it happens. Of course, IAD has been speculated as an A380 gateway for at least a couple of years, with first Virgin,
35 Saigonhouston: Quoting Haan (Reply 22): Sorry but I dont ever see Emirates operating the A380 to IAH. The A380 will be to much restricted on Payload on the DXB-IAH s
36 Longhornmaniac: This got me thinking, particularly given the fact EK 211 diverted here to AUS yesterday (boy the 77L is gorgeous in person). What is the A380 going to
37 CO18Heavy: I'll be on EK 211 this Monday and I can't wait.. EK 212 was amazing. When I went from IAH-DXB the plane was stuffed to the gills. We actually had abou
38 Brons2: Good candidate for the A380-800R, if it ever gets built.
40 Longhornmaniac: For the past couple of days, Houston has seen some typical summer thunderstorms pop up in the afternoon, and it, along with several other CO planes d
41 AznMadSci: If this is the case, they could be diverted to either IAD, ATL, or DFW, which I believe they have said their A380 ready. I wonder if ABIA considered
42 AirStatDFW: Would an A380 still be able to land here at AUS as a divert? EK was in DFW about a month ago. Looking at the terminal and customs area for a possible
43 Ikramerica: It can land anywhere a 747 can land as long as there are no taxiway or runway bridges that are not strong enough to safely support the total weight of
44 CO18Heavy: Of course AUS can handle the A380. It has a 12,200 foot runway and just about any commercial airport can handle it once in a while.. One landing now a
45 ZRH: No. An A 380 can land on any runway where other widebodies can land. Because she has more wheels the weight per wheel is even less then at a 747. You
46 Lightsaber: Good point (now that the pax question is answered). But for EK to serve AMS, they would have to be able the negotiate another set of rights (there is
47 Ikramerica: If CO can do EWR-HKG on the 77E, EK can do IAH-DXB on the A388.
48 Yellowtail: We are not saying they cannot do it....but they can't do it WESTBOUND with a full load. CO's EWR-HKG is weight restricted I believe, and remember tha
49 AznMadSci: On CO, the EWR-HKG flight roughly goes over the North Pole while HKG-EWR goes eastbound over the Pacific due to favorable headwinds. As mention by Ye
50 Ikramerica: the A388 has 500nm range over the CO 77E. The DXB route is under 100nm further. But still, of course it'll go restricted. Lots of flights do.
51 Lightsaber: and what should also be noted is Westbound has the higher cargo yield for EK. While for CO their 'high cargo leg' is with the wind. But as I just not
52 Hohd: The primary reason EK is successful on IAH-DXB route is because of the huge connecting traffic to India/Pakisthan and other SE Asian countries. If it
53 Astuteman: It's perhaps worth bearing in mind that although the A380 can make 8 200Nm in still air with 525 pax, AT MAX PAYLOAD, it's still air range is about 6
54 102IAHexpress: Do you have a source for this? I was under the impression that the more lucrative cargo (oil & gas equipment) moves eastward.
55 STT757: CO needs to get on this route, perhaps lease a few 777-200LRs to get them through until the 787-9s arrive.
56 Ikramerica: I would assume there is also African connecting traffic, too. Houston has a large African immigrant community. Yeah, I really don't know what goods D
57 CHQIAH: Well this is great news for Houston.............I started a thread about this a while back asking if it would be plausible for the 380 to have a route
58 Yellowtail: I believe there were some figure on the IAH Spotters site about the traffic eastbound being much more....lots of drill heads heading to the gulf! Cou
59 Ikramerica: And the double decker jetway would also be used by LH and the A380 for FRA when CO joins star...
60 Yellowtail: U R right! I think a bigger question in all of this is how will QR entry into to the market affect EKs loads?
61 Thomasphoto60: A little off topic perhaps, but the May load factors for IAH's int'l (non-CO) traffic figures, recently released by HAS. http://groups.yahoo.com/grou
62 Yellowtail: Always appreciate the interesting figures. Will add you my RU list. Maybe Jim needs to take a trip to DME and SIn to help SQ
63 Thomasphoto60: Yep, Jim Davies is a class act. He takes the time every month to crunch those numbers on IAH's major int'l (non-CO) long haul players, for those of u
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Posts like these never cease to amuse me. Almost every time I log in, there is at least one topic about EK flying their A380 somewhere or opening up a new destination with an A380 arriving. Too bad a topic like this will become boring in a year or two. Best of luck to EK.
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...according to EK, the -200LR hauls a lot of cargo on the route..
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