craigpc01 From United States of America, joined Jun 2009, 31 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 7180 times:
Who is likely to bring the first A380 to SFO for regular flights, Lufthansa, British, Virgin, Singapore, Emirates, Air France, Korean or Qantas? Any ideas or knowledge out there about this??
legacyins From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1832 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 7114 times:
Qantas and Emirates have brought their A380s into SFO. abeit, not a regualr schedule.
goldorak From France, joined Sep 2006, 1672 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 6668 times:
AF does not have plans to serve SFO with A380. SFO is not a "premium" route for them, so not adapted to the current config with about 90 J seats and 9 F seats. The A/C used by AF to SFO (744 in summer, 343 in winter) do not even have 1st class seats.
AirlineEcon From United States of America, joined Feb 2007, 119 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 6487 times:
I don't see SQ bringing the 380 to SFO anytime soon. They don't have that many more scheduled for delivery. 8 or so. Given that they are substituting in another 380 to SYD, it's likely they'll do the same for MEL and LHR and maybe again for SYD. DXB could be a candidate to trim their 11 a week flight into 1 daily. I also wouldn't t doubt seeing them in PEK or PVG both popular routes that could accommodate a 380, as HKG did.
UAEflyer From United Arab Emirates, joined Nov 2006, 903 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 6461 times:
But could the A380 make DXB-SFO year-round with full load ?
airnerd From United States of America, joined Oct 2007, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 6435 times:
I'd say the best chances are from the *A partners LH and SQ. The combination of UA's main west coast hub plus the business and tourism draw of the large and economically dynamic SF region should make it a contender for A380 service.
legacyins From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1832 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6139 times:
Quoting UAEflyer (Reply 4): But could the A380 make DXB-SFO year-round with full load ?
In this dated interview, it mentions EK's plans for the A380 fof the West Coast. I suppose the economy has a lot to do with their decision. Furthermore, with EK ordering the A389, performance issues should be worked out.
Quote: Airbus is incorporating weight savings into later-build A380s and Clark expects these efforts will ultimately create an aircraft which can serve certain US West Coast destinations direct from Dubai. He forecasts that A380s delivered by 2012 will be "a minimum of 2t lighter", which, combined with the airline's own weight reductions, will mean "an aircraft that can fly 15h 45min and can do the West Coast". He is "optimistic" that this will bring San Francisco into range,
I'm also trying to locate an FI article where Clark said the weight reduction, plus a promised 2% SFC improvement from the EA on the GP7200 would allow DXB-SFO with, quote "a virtually full payload" by 2012.
astuteman From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 9136 posts, RR: 96 Reply 8, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 6046 times:
Quoting astuteman (Reply 7): I'm also trying to locate an FI article where Clark said the weight reduction, plus a promised 2% SFC improvement from the EA on the GP7200 would allow DXB-SFO with, quote "a virtually full payload" by 2012.
Quote: Airbus engineers claim they can take up to 2 tonnes out of the A380 in a stepped weight-reduction program to 2012 and EK's initial aircraft, although still overweight, is 1 tonne lighter than anticipated. The carrier is working on achieving a 1.5-2-tonne reduction in weight. "This will give the A380 two hours more endurance from today's 13 to 15 hours," says Clark. "By 2012 the A380 will be able to reach San Francisco from Dubai with maximum passengers [489] and some cargo. LA would be possible with 400 passengers."
SurfandSnow From United States of America, joined Jan 2009, 2588 posts, RR: 31 Reply 9, posted (2 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 5913 times:
Quoting craigpc01 (Thread starter): Lufthansa, British, Virgin, Singapore, Emirates, Air France, Korean or Qantas?
Quite the list you have there! While some of these carriers are extremely likely (SQ, LH, EK) others are quite unlikely to ever send the A380 to SFO (VS, AF, QF)! I'd say the first airline to bring the A380 to SFO will probably be SQ, especially if they decide to codeshare with the new UA/CO. They probably wouldn't want to send the A380 to LAX for fear of undermining the all-J A345 LAX-SIN nonstops, so I think SFO could be a perfect gateway "for the masses" .
Flying in the middle seat of coach is much better than not flying at all!
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