Congrats to DEL to see that beauty in India. Unfortunately it arrives and departs in the dark, so I doubt many pictures of it arriving and departing there.
BLR will be next...
wilco737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8542 posts, RR: 78 Reply 3, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 15249 times:
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Quoting LH422 (Reply 2): I missed that one. So the order will be, as originally planned, IAD, DEL, BLR, ORD, LAX?
[ Edit Post ]
Almost: IAD, DEL, BLR, LAX, ORD. D-ABYD is about to join the fleet end of August and start flying in September. So the rumours say.
Will there be some sort of ceremony in DEL? Has there been something special in FRA or was it a normal flight?
I am not in FRA at the moment, so no clue what happened.
blrsea From India, joined May 2005, 1228 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 14861 times:
Is there really that high of a demand for C/F on DEL/BLR flights to justify the 748? I know LH has done its homework, but I am still a bit skeptical about it.
Obviously it is for DEL, and to certain extent BLR as well. Besides 748 isn't adding that many extra seats either unlike the A380. If LH wants to fly in A380s to DEL so badly (in vain), then of course they'll send in the next best metal.
If it wasn't for AI and those money mongers sitting in the parliament, 9W would have been as big as SQ...:(
mogandoCI From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 14657 times:
I really hope LH has done their homework with the 747-8, because it's one of the most overly J-heavy configurations (relative to floor space) of any wide-body currently in service ... other than the obvious SQ A345s.
Too bad their winter IAD-FRA schedule is x23 ... and I *need* to fly on a Weds to connect to a TG flight ... sigh
jumpjets From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2012, 490 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 14657 times:
Quoting blrsea (Reply 5): Is there really that high of a demand for C/F on DEL/BLR flights to justify the 748?
I think both LH and BA have been operating 747-400 to BLR in the winter. I came back from BLR by BA in February and there wasnt a seat in the house on their 744 - so maybe there is a seasonal demand which would merit and even larger plane.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26968 posts, RR: 83 Reply 9, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 14639 times:
Quoting mogandoCI (Reply 7): I really hope LH has done their homework with the 747-8, because it's one of the most overly J-heavy configurations (relative to floor space) of any wide-body currently in service...
I believe LH have stated that they intend to send the 747-8 to cities where premium cabin demand is high, but (profitable) Economy traffic is not. Where demand for all cabins is high, the A380-800 will be deployed since it has a far larger Economy cabin.
comorin From United States of America, joined May 2005, 4724 posts, RR: 17 Reply 11, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 14532 times:
Good move, LH!
I flew on a LH 744 to BLR a few months ago, on a really old bird with the two seats per F passenger thingy. Hopefully that will now become a thing of the past.
wilco737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8542 posts, RR: 78 Reply 12, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 14237 times:
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Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 4): The 2nd ever commercial 748 flight seems to go rather unnoticed, compared to the grand welcoming of the IAD flight.
That's a shame. But I guess it is only a new version of the 747, not a brandnew airplane like an A380 or so.
Quoting blrsea (Reply 5): I know LH has done its homework, but I am still a bit skeptical about it.
I hope as well that the people making such decisions did their homework. But I trust these guys and I am positive they know what they do
Quoting Stitch (Reply 9): I believe LH have stated that they intend to send the 747-8 to cities where premium cabin demand is high, but (profitable) Economy traffic is not. Where demand for all cabins is high, the A380-800 will be deployed since it has a far larger Economy cabin.
That is true. Even Boeing was surprised to see such a high number of seats in the C class section. But it fits in perfectly.
jcwr56 From United States of America, joined Jul 2012, 234 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 14195 times:
Quoting wilco737 (Reply 3): Almost: IAD, DEL, BLR, LAX, ORD. D-ABYD is about to join the fleet end of August and start flying in September. So the rumours say
I'd say this is correct due to the issues in ORD. I would say late 2nd, early 3rd quarter of 2013 for ORD assuming the FAA grants the waiver.
wilco737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8542 posts, RR: 78 Reply 14, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 14182 times:
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Quoting jcwr56 (Reply 13): I'd say this is correct due to the issues in ORD. I would say late 2nd, early 3rd quarter of 2013 for ORD assuming the FAA grants the waiver.
And another reason is that the we need the 5th airplane to fly to all the destinations and it is not 100% certain if D-ABYE will be delivered in 2012. Doesn't look like.
blrsea From India, joined May 2005, 1228 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 12961 times:
Quoting JOYA380B747 (Reply 6): Obviously it is for DEL, and to certain extent BLR as well. Besides 748 isn't adding that many extra seats either unlike the A380. If LH wants to fly in A380s to DEL so badly (in vain), then of course they'll send in the next best metal.
748 has more number of C/F seats , while there is slight increase in Y. A380 has more Y seats compared to B748 , so it is not a direct comparision.
I know Y goes out full lots of times. In my last flight on LH in Y to BLR, the economy class was full while business class looked around 40-50% full (in may). So just wondering if more C/F was required.
CiC From Germany, joined Jun 2010, 31 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 11685 times:
Oh as far as I remember LH intended to deploy the A380 to India in 2010 already, but the Indian Government denied the approval. The traffic rights are only for 747... so therefore maybe they deploy the 748 to DEL and BLR exactly for this reason?
Roseflyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8791 posts, RR: 51 Reply 17, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 11500 times:
Quoting PM (Reply 10): Quoting blrsea (Reply 5):
Is there really that high of a demand for C/F on DEL/BLR flights to justify the 748?
I flew into BLR on a LH 744 a week ago and C was full.
I doubt BLR has as much demand in economy as other cities in India. Bangalore historically has been a midsized city to the expatriate population from Bangalore is smaller than Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, etc. Secondly, Bangalore isn’t a particularly tourist friendly destination with nothing of interest to capture international tourism.
What BLR has is a large number of companies and a strong tech infrastructure. That fills up Business class. The 747-8 has 92 business class seats, so it is perfect for the market.
I think the 747-8 is being used to DEL as a compromise. The A380 likely would be better but is not allowed.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Nimish From India, joined Feb 2005, 3087 posts, RR: 9 Reply 18, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 5347 times:
Quoting blrsea (Reply 15):
I know Y goes out full lots of times. In my last flight on LH in Y to BLR, the economy class was full while business class looked around 40-50% full (in may). So just wondering if more C/F was required.
I agree - Y is full very often, C and F rarely so. I honestly think that LH will switch to a high-Y layout on future 748s and those will be ideal for BLR.
Quoting Roseflyer (Reply 17): What BLR has is a large number of companies and a strong tech infrastructure. That fills up Business class. The 747-8 has 92 business class seats, so it is perfect for the market.
Anecdotal evidence (flying in Y on this route at least 1-2 times a quarter for the past many years) tells me that J is rarely full - sure it will be full on the Monday/ Friday type flights. Y is full much more often and very high yielding for LH - given they end up hawking Y/ B/ M class often a month in advance of the flight.
I suspect the 748 is an overkill (in terms of premium capacity) for BLR, but hopefully LH has done the due research and thinks otherwise .
NorthstarBoy From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 1716 posts, RR: 1 Reply 19, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 5049 times:
Pardon my ignorance, but what's the issue with ORD and the 748? Is it weight?
I could have elite status if I wanted it, but flying the same airline all the time is boring.
jayeshrulz From India, joined Apr 2007, 1001 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 4980 times:
Being associated with one of the partner companies of LH, the loads LH in BOM/DEL are always above 79%. Fri,Sat, Sun, the flight goes PACKED. Yes, i mean packed. DEL especially has better load factors than BOM, but i have no idea about BLR and MAA routes.
No wonder LH wants to put A380 to DEL, as its a very premium route for them. BLR is more of a "improvisation route", because BLR has not seen anything as big as LH and BA flying downtown. The response has been tremendous. For LH, i mean
JOYA380B747 From India, joined Mar 2005, 434 posts, RR: 1 Reply 22, posted (10 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 4727 times:
Quoting CiC (Reply 16): Oh as far as I remember LH intended to deploy the A380 to India in 2010 already, but the Indian Government denied the approval. The traffic rights are only for 747... so therefore maybe they deploy the 748 to DEL and BLR exactly for this reason?
Exactly my point. The 744s serving DEL were pretty outdated with no PTVs and the like. An upgrade was badly needed to keep up with the competition.
Quoting himmat01 (Reply 21): It received a traditional water canon salute at Delhi airport. There is a picture on Lufthansa India's FB page.
Was Hoping so...
If it wasn't for AI and those money mongers sitting in the parliament, 9W would have been as big as SQ...:(
I am zapped by the 20.5" inch seats in Y class. If that is the case, LH is my first choice from now on.
[Edited 2012-08-07 05:39:04]
I am on Twitter @BLRAviation
25 SASDC8: If this has been asked and answered before I am sorry. Why aren't there a A-ABYB? I almost can't wait to give the new Queen a try soon
26 N14AZ: How long will this ban of the other VLA, which has the same number of engines as the B 748i*), exist? Are there any indications if and when it will b
27 BLRAviation: D-ABYB has been retired. It was a Boeing 747-100 performing flight LH540 and crashed at take-off at NBO enroute to JNB. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
29 wilco737: Both airplanes will alternate between both destination and once D-ABVD will join the fleet all 3 will fly to all 748i destinations. wilco737
31 LH422: For some reason, the first four DEL flights (including tomorrow's) seem to be on D-ABYA, although the timing would be right to be able to swap planes
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