Bochora From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2008, 491 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 8880 times:
As there has been much discussion about the A380 of late, I was wondering what people's opinions were on the future of this beast. With SQ and EK having set such high standards with inflight innovations, can we really expect the A380 to continue to amaze us or will it be just another aircraft for some of the customers? Qantas seem to have already shown us an A380 with new interiors, but very little wow factor so has this set the precident for all future deliveries?
Other customers have said very little about the A380 interiors however Korean Air have already shown it off: not being a Korean flier, I don't know if their is much new but they seem to want to show it off.
Link here: http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/1910-A380.shtml
There are a few airlines that I could see doing something special: Qatar, Thai, Virgin, Etihad**
** They will produce something very special as I remember reading in airliners mag. that they want things such as shops and specifically, a smoking room: I'm not sure really.
Anyway, what do people think: let's discuss the future of an Iconic A380!
Tayser From Australia, joined Mar 2008, 1084 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 8830 times:
I don't understand why people expected so much more from Qantas.
Qantas, just like the country it's the flag carrier of, is egalitarian - their A380s are going to get the job done and that's all that matters really - look around you, LCC's have all but killed the prestige of flying (as any schlep from the great unwashed (lol ) has unprecedented access to flying places now).
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4117 posts, RR: 37 Reply 3, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 8729 times:
As it's the biggest passenger aircraft, it will remain to be "somewhat" iconic, but in size or facilities it's hardly a leap from anything which already exists. SQ, EK and so will throw in some luxury up front but most will fly Y which is only marginally different from what you (can) get in a 777 or 747. Imagine being in 1969 and still used to fly on rattly DC-6s and Convairliners, and then seeing Concorde and 747 fly, these aircraft will remain more iconic.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Burkhard From Germany, joined Nov 2006, 4248 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 8698 times:
Once many hundred A380 populate the skies, they will be as iconic as the 747 was and partly still is. The laws of economy will take their toll. But one airline after the other, taking over these beautiful aircraft, will not hesitate to use the moment of attention they get to present a good product - and each of these celebrations will help building up the iconic myth again.
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5340 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 8453 times:
Quoting Burkhard (Reply 4): The laws of economy will take their toll.
Exactly.
I give it less than a decade before carriers do to A380s EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID TO 747s.
Doesn't anyone pay attention to history?
747s went from 3-4-2 in coach to 3-4-3.
And the lounge in every section of the cabin, include TWO coach lounges on Braniff? Long gone, buddy. It got thrown out the same time as AA's pianos. And color on the walls.
Give it 5-8 years, and they'll just be big flying boats, like the 747s are.
I can see EK keeping their ridiculous shower set up, just for the prestige that EK wants to maintain. But other than that, no.
Khobar From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2379 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8214 times:
Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 5): I can see EK keeping their ridiculous shower set up, just for the prestige that EK wants to maintain. But other than that, no.
The future may not be so rosy for EK as some believe. Could be more of the same, but recent articles such as http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article5576.html don't paint a good picture. If Dubai goes bust, there will no longer be any reason for EK to exist.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26700 posts, RR: 83 Reply 7, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8194 times:
Like the 747, it has a very unique look to it, which by definition will make it "iconic". Also, within a decade or two it and the 747-8I will likely be the only four-engined passenger planes in regular service, as I expect the A340 family will be phased out of revenue service sooner rather then later thanks to the 777, 787 and A350.
As to what is inside it, I expect that SQ will hold the line on their cabins, but I do expect most of the large lounge areas on EK's planes to be replaced with more seats sooner rather then later. Like the 747-100, that space is too valuable to generate revenue and more and more, people seem to wish to isolate themselves from their fellow passengers when traveling in First Class (witness the rise of first single suites and now enclosed suites). As such, those lounge areas will be more empty then full and the airlines will realize they are wasting the space by offering it.
I also expect most follow-on A380 customers, if they had plans to put in lounges and "social areas", are canceling them and instead fitting more seats.
SpeedBirdA380 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2008, 539 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8091 times:
Sadly I dont think it will continue to amaze us. I dont think any airline is going to top SQ's A380 suite's although some might come close. Especially with all the cost cutting and rising fuel price's in the Aviation industry.- It would be nice If I was wrong
Quoting Bochora (Thread starter): There are a few airlines that I could see doing something special: Qatar, Thai, Virgin, Etihad**
** They will produce something very special as I remember reading in airliners mag. that they want things such as shops and specifically, a smoking room: I'm not sure really.
Seriously what is the point of having a shop on an aircraft? You spend 2-3 hour's before you fly in an airport jam-packed with shop's.
Tonystan From Ireland, joined Jan 2006, 1175 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8080 times:
The 747 went from being the saviour of the Golden Age to being just another sardine can, the A380 will do the same! When the blended wing 1000 passenger cruiser thing comes to fruitition it too will set a high standard until they suddenly find a way to cram 2000 seats into it!
TylerDurden From United States of America, joined May 2008, 852 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 7958 times:
Being neither uncritically admired....nor universally recognized.....I would hardly use the word "Iconic" at this point.
The A380 has always been evolutionary..not revoltionary.....
Give it 20 years and we'll see....
Pylon101 From Russia, joined Feb 2008, 1391 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 7220 times:
Quoting TylerDurden (Reply 10): The A380 has always been evolutionary..not revoltionary.....
I completely agree with the statement above.
I don't think that definition "iconic" is applicable.
Though for future generation A380 may be as iconic as B747 is iconic for us.
A couple of days ago I went though Air France paper schedule from 1976.
Gosh! Those were really routes: on DC-10 the route started in Paris - and went to Africa making up to 5 stops in former French colonies.
That what was making flying an adventure.
With all that said, I'd like to add that A380 may play a much more important role in aviation history if importance of hubs increase due to fuel prices.
What we see at the moment is a mess in route/type airlines policies - which eventually will turn into a trend - and then into dominant economically determined development/change.
Manfredj From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1132 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 7001 times:
Quoting Tonystan (Reply 9): The 747 went from being the saviour of the Golden Age to being just another sardine can
Yes, I agree. There have been many new photos of old United and TWA 747 interiors posted on this site recently.
Again we see the same thing happening with the 380. New innovations and WOW factor. If history repeats itself, (don't bet on it not happening) these bathrooms, suites and lounges will eventually be replaced with more seats.
I wish this were not the case, however. Just looking at the old 747 coach lounge gives me a warm and cozy feeling. This is how travel should be.
It should be mentioned however, that certain airplanes have that appeal that others do no posses from an aesthetic point of view. In this case, the 747 will hands down be an airplane to remember. So distinct, so stately...it simply cannot be replicated. I'm afraid the 380 has a face only a mother could love. It's a shame the 340-500 suffers use ability issues, as it also has good looks. But an aircraft has to be around for a few decades to age like a fine wine. The 345's life is limited thus will not make this status.
Autothrust From Switzerland, joined Jun 2006, 1480 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 6159 times:
Quoting TylerDurden (Reply 10): The A380 has always been evolutionary..not revoltionary.....
There are on both planes technologies which could be described as revolutionary, others clear evolutionary. But if you mean the concept, you could say the same about the 787. Its just a other evolutionary twin with evolutionary engines.
Prebennorholm From Denmark, joined Mar 2000, 6019 posts, RR: 55 Reply 15, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 5665 times:
The A380 is a "B747 + 35%" based on 1990'es technology rather than 1960'es technology.
Talking about icons of the air, none of them will ever come anywhere near planes like DC-3, DH Comet and B707. In fact both are "only" enlarged and evolutionary modernized 707s or DC-8s.
Quoting Pylon101 (Reply 13): Loving A380 I should agree that the face of the child is the weakest part in terms of design.
I guess it could be greatly improved if upper deck would have more windows closer to the front.
Or panoramic upper deck view.
The B747 has its flight deck on 2nd floor to make a front cargo door possible.
The A380 was never designed with a front cargo door in mind - a very useless thing since the two floors are primary structures of the triple bubble cabin pressure design. Therefore the flight deck is placed as low as aerodynamically feasible (not much higher than 1st floor) giving the flight crew a slightly better view for landing and taxiing.
None of them were designed for beauty. Both of them were optimized for functionality, but different functions.
Always keep your number of landings equal to your number of take-offs, Preben Norholm
Ironduke08 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 117 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 5171 times:
Quoting Pylon101 (Reply 11): A couple of days ago I went though Air France paper schedule from 1976.
Gosh! Those were really routes: on DC-10 the route started in Paris - and went to Africa making up to 5 stops in former French colonies.
That what was making flying an adventure.
If you want to have an experience somewhat like that today, I'd recommend you look into Continental Micronesia's Island Hopper. HNL-GUM, with five stops in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. It's an incredible sightseeing and aviation experience that I can't recommend more highly.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26700 posts, RR: 83 Reply 17, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 4784 times:
Quoting Prebennorholm (Reply 15): None of them were designed for beauty. Both of them were optimized for functionality, but different functions.
And yet, somehow, Concorde managed both beauty and functionality.
Astuteman From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 9136 posts, RR: 96 Reply 18, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2836 times:
Quoting Manfredj (Reply 12): But an aircraft has to be around for a few decades to age like a fine wine
That will be the measure of iconic.
Neither "beauty" nor "technology" will figure in the equation. If A380's are still rolling off the production line in 25 years, and in service in 35 years, the longevity coupled to the size, will ensure iconic status
HNL-Jack From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 793 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2795 times:
Quoting Bochora (Thread starter): an we really expect the A380 to continue to amaze us or will it be just another aircraft for some of the customers?
History learned from the first 747's and other wide bodies probably predicts the future. Reality will eventually set in, amenities removed and seats added. The "airbus" will live up to its name...a bus.
Grew up in the business and continued the family tradition.
1821 From Greece, joined Jul 2007, 271 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 2602 times:
There is no doubt that the A380 is the flagship for any airline for the 21st century. Able to carry more passengers so less aircraft needed , hence the saving in fuel. It will take some time though for the full effects / benefits of the A380 to filter through. Now i'm not going to get into an Airbus vs Boeing fight however i do love the 747 but in this day and age it is time to move on to bigger and better things provided that the cost to airlines is justified.
Having said all this and ( as i have posted a topic about the A380 for US airlines ) , more Us airlines will have to start evaluating the A380 for the simple reason of it's able to carry more pax and that it is fuel efficient. Now i am not saying that the 748 will not offer the same but i do think from the specs that i ahave read up on that the A380 does outperfrom the 748 in some areas , although i am hanging for the day when i see a 748 .
As for the interiors every airline that orders the A380 should provide a different atmosphere. Think about it for 1 sec. If every A380 was the same how boring and repetitive will this be? Different airlines in my opinion should offer their own culture to the plane wich i think gives the airline company ( SQ , EK E.T.C ) a unique feel.
Tonymctigue From Ireland, joined Feb 2006, 1874 posts, RR: 10 Reply 21, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 2426 times:
Quoting Bochora (Thread starter): As there has been much discussion about the A380 of late, I was wondering what people's opinions were on the future of this beast. With SQ and EK having set such high standards with inflight innovations, can we really expect the A380 to continue to amaze us or will it be just another aircraft for some of the customers? Qantas seem to have already shown us an A380 with new interiors, but very little wow factor so has this set the precident for all future deliveries?
I'm afraid that the latter will be the case. When the 747 originally came out, there was huge fanfare, just like there was with the A380 and promises of bars, lounges, shops and even piano players on board but alas, the way the economics work out, airlines make their money by moving passengers and you simply cannot fit as many passengers on board with all these extra facilities. Furthermore, when the 747 came out, flying was still a privilege and people who could afford to fly still had much higher expectations when they flew. With the advent of LCC's, today's air passenger has much lower expectations than their 1970's counterpart so today's airlines can afford to cut back on luxury items that would have put off a 1970's air passenger but would not put off today's air passengers. Not to mention than many of the airlines touting the A380 as having all these facilities are state supported so can afford passengers additional space without deteriorating their margins too much. Just my on the subject.
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Alessandro From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (4 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 2165 times:
Quoting Tonystan (Reply 9): The 747 went from being the saviour of the Golden Age to being just another sardine can, the A380 will do the same! When the blended wing 1000 passenger cruiser thing comes to fruitition it too will set a high standard until they suddenly find a way to cram 2000 seats into it!
BWB are a dream as passengerplane, but I sincerely doubt it´ll pass the 90 seconds evacutation test with 1000 pax.
I´m convinced that 853 pax is enough and even a stretched version of the A380 will be certified with this number.
BTW what is the biggest number of people that has flown on one A380 flight yet, is it around 400-500?
FlyingKangaroo From Australia, joined Apr 2004, 532 posts, RR: 3 Reply 23, posted (4 years 9 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 1618 times:
The A380, while a technological marvel, is at the end of the day just an aircraft and will be treated that way. While most if not all airlines will introduce new cabin offerings when they receive their A380s, I don't think any, except possibly Virgin's, will be as 'gimmicky'. For example, just look at the trip reports of EK's first A380 flights. Unlike SQ who has massive fanfare, EK seemingly had nothing except for a goody-bag upon disembarkation.
Quoting Tayser (Reply 1): I don't understand why people expected so much more from Qantas.
Exactly. They introduced new cabin offerings but what more can be asked? They're being economical by looking at what customers want and will pay for; sure their suite isn't totally enclosed ala SQ or EK but it is still leaps and bounds ahead of their current offering on their 744s. I don't see anything wrong with that, and in fact find it ridiculous that SQ charge so much more for their Suites compared to their F product simply due to the fact that it is on a new aircraft. What happens when the A380 operates all flights on a sector?
Right now, SQ and EK have set somewhat of a precedent as to what we expect cabins on the A380 to be like. But eventually the A380 will be like the 744. Sure, we're in awe when you see it from the gate, how big it is, how graceful (or ungraceful to some people) it is, but at the end of the day it's still an aluminum tube getting you from A to B.
25 EA772LR: I think the A380 will become the new 747 for my generation (25 years old or so). I think guys my age beginning to travel will look at the A380 in a s
26 Stitch: Something better then what UA is putting in their planes? Seriously, we have been told by Airbus and Airbus supporters how only the A380 can offer ne
27 Art: I don't think anyone but an aviation lover would describe the A380 as "beautiful". It's a function dictates form product and the resulting form is no
28 Singapore_Air: What is ridiculous? The prices or that they are a lot of people prepared to pay those prices without finding it ridiculous? Singapore Airlines doesn'
29 YULWinterSkies: Therefore, following your logic, a US-based A380 will also have its cultural feeling. Hopefully we will indeed see US A380s someday... Anyway, with t
30 Astuteman: I think my point was that many of the comments above are suggesting that the A380 experience will "be like the 747" - i.e. luxury will give way to ut
31 EA772LR: Not that anyone here is claiming it, but whether or not the A380 becomes as 'iconic' as the 747, the A380 is a magnificent aircraft and will probably
32 Pylon101: It just occured to me that the main reason why B747 looks so great (iconic) is the cockpit on the upper level. But within decades it was stated for ma
33 Stitch: FWIW, I only paid $500 more for R on an A388 SIN-SYD then F on a 744. The R/T was about $4000 more and the return was $2000 (so I flew the 744). I su
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