EK Receives First Two-class A380

KarelXWB · Thu Nov 05, 2015 9:53 am

Emirates yesterday received its first of 15 two-class A380, equipped with 615 seats (58 J, 557 Y).

Quote:
The aircraft, A6-EOP, was handed-over to Emirates at the Airbus Finkenwerder production facility in Hamburg on November 4, 2015 and ferried across to the airline’s Dubai International Airport base. It will join a 67 strong fleet of the type and although identical from the outside will offer up to 20 per cent more seats on the inside.

Source
http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/...irst-higher-density-615-seat-a380/

Three additional two-class A380s are due before the end of the year.

First routes will be CPH and BKK, followed by LGW and KUL early next year.

zkojq · Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:05 am

The CASM must be microscopic! Wow!

Congratulations to both parties.

Quoting KarelXWB (Thread starter):

BKK and KUL are no surprise, but I'm a little curious about CPH. I thought it would have been one of the higher yielding destinations for Emirates. I assume that these ones won't be used for ULH routes, due to a lack of a crew rest area.

[Edited 2015-11-05 03:00:36]

B8887 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:42 am

Will this be the highest seat count on a commercial aircraft ever? In regular service?

Regards.

B8887

BlueSky1976 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:34 am

Quoting B8887 (Reply 2):
Will this be the highest seat count on a commercial aircraft ever? In regular service?

So far - yes.

WearyDrover · Thu Nov 05, 2015 11:44 am

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 1):
I'm a little curious about CPH

If I'm not mistaken EK has not previously offered First on flights to CPH. So it would be a logical follow on to increase capacity where the is lower demand for premium cabins.

EPA001 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 12:06 pm

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 1):
The CASM must be microscopic!

If enough tickets per flight are sold it will be like that indeed.

David_itl · Thu Nov 05, 2015 12:32 pm

MAN is getting it, not LGW.

mfranjic · Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:12 pm

That new, two-class [C58 Y557], cabin configuration with the 615 seats is actually one of the Emirates´ five different cabin´s configurations on their 68 Airbus A380-861 aircrafts...

Nice regards

Mario

vfw614 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:25 pm

Just out of curiosity - why do they have two versions that differ only by 2 economy seats?

And what is the point of having four different versions with exactly the same number of premium seats but with a difference of 30 economy seats? Usually different seat count results from a change of the ratio between premium and cattle class seats, but is hardly the result of putting a different number of seats in one cabin class.

pasu129 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:30 pm

Quoting BlueSky1976 (Reply 3):

Quoting B8887 (Reply 2):
Will this be the highest seat count on a commercial aircraft ever? In regular service?

So far - yes.

Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives...

No thank you!

zkojq · Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:47 pm

Quoting vfw614 (Reply 8):
And what is the point of having four different versions with exactly the same number of premium seats but with a difference of 30 economy seats?

The thirty seat difference is due to the Ultra Long-Haul subfleet having a crew rest area in the lower rear economy cabin.

pasu129 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:55 pm

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 10):
The thirty seat difference is due to the Ultra Long-Haul subfleet having a crew rest area in the lower rear economy cabin.

And one would wonder, why didn't EK adopt crew rest like AF, BA, and EY to be at cargo level? It would only make sense to not take up revenue generating space on main floor.

Amiga500 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 3:57 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives... No thank you!

Indeed, because most major international airports only have one or two flights arriving every couple of hours.

[/404LogicNotFound]

na · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:03 pm

Quoting vfw614 (Reply 8):
Just out of curiosity - why do they have two versions that differ only by 2 economy seats?

Thats indeed very odd. Whats in the place of the tow seats less in these configurations?

qf002 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:07 pm

Quoting vfw614 (Reply 8):
Just out of curiosity - why do they have two versions that differ only by 2 economy seats?

They managed to fit an extra two seats in row 80 from A6-EUU onward -- most A380s don't have seats 80A/K due to the size/shape of the exit but somehow EK has managed to get around that on more recent deliveries.

It's not enough of a difference to make retrofitting the rest of the fleet worthwhile.

jacobin777 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:11 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives... No thank you!

If customs can handle 519 pax then 615 really wouldn't be too much of a problem.

B8887 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:11 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives...

Mmmh, I wonder if they will introduce new boarding procedures. 100 seats more than the next close configuration, that's a "normal" fully loaded A319 or so. Maybe they will start boarding 90 or 80 minutes before departure.

Regards.

B8887

pasu129 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:13 pm

Quoting B8887 (Reply 16):

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives...

Mmmh, I wonder if they will introduce new boarding procedures. 100 seats more than the next close configuration, that's a "normal" fully loaded A319 or so. Maybe they will start boarding 90 or 80 minutes before departure.

Or adopt AMS front and back jettys at DXB!

TheSonntag · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:20 pm

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 1):
BKK and KUL are no surprise, but I'm a little curious about CPH. I thought it would have been one of the higher yielding destinations for Emirates

Many tourists in Thailand are from Denmark and Sweden, including many young people. So this is a typical leisure destination.

AABB777 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:26 pm

Quoting na (Reply 13):

Quoting vfw614 (Reply 8):
Just out of curiosity - why do they have two versions that differ only by 2 economy seats?

Thats indeed very odd. Whats in the place of the tow seats less in these configurations?

My guess is the two seat difference is to accommodate an emergency escape hatch for the lower crew rest.

dc10bhx · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:46 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 11):
And one would wonder, why didn't EK adopt crew rest like AF, BA, and EY to be at cargo level? It would only make sense to not take up revenue generating space on main floor.

The A380 takes a hit on cargo space anyway (let alone the requirement for baggage space).

By doing the crew rest where they have it reduces the impact on the available cargo space.

OA412 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 4:51 pm

Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 1):
BKK and KUL are no surprise, but I'm a little curious about CPH. I thought it would have been one of the higher yielding destinations for Emirates.

Danes are pretty cheap and thus aren't as apt as some others to purchase seats in premium classes.

PW100 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:44 pm

Quoting EPA001 (Reply 5):
If enough tickets per flight are sold it will be like that indeed.

# of tickets sold has no effect. Hint, find the meaning of A in CASM . . .

EPA001 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:47 pm

Quoting PW100 (Reply 22):
# of tickets sold has no effect. Hint, find the meaning of A in CASM . . .

Of course you are correct, but if for a flight only 50 tickets have been sold, the theoretical CASM will not help to make that flight profitable.

kaitak · Thu Nov 05, 2015 5:56 pm

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives... No thank you!

Or, worse still, at baggage reclaim!

Will EK be carrying more cabin crew on this acft. I think they carry 22-24 at present, but they will probably be looking at 25-27 for this one. Add flight crew and a few kids and laps, and you could easily be talking about 650 on board.

Quoting B8887 (Reply 2):
Will this be the highest seat count on a commercial aircraft ever? In regular service?

Yes, the record is currently held by the Corsair 747-400s, used on flights from ORY to French Caribbean "departments outre-mers". Currently they seat 533, but it has been higher!

I think AF and QR vie with EK for the highest capacity A380s.

parapente · Thu Nov 05, 2015 6:01 pm

615 eh phew that's a lot.With the load factors Emirates get either everyone else will need smaller planes or are they - like the short haul LCC's simply expanding the (long haul) market .Perhaps it's a combination of the 2?

AirPacific747 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 6:54 pm

Quoting OA412 (Reply 21):
Danes are pretty cheap and thus aren't as apt as some others to purchase seats in premium classes.

That's what a high level of wealth distribution in society does to F class sales.

Gazdon121 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 7:36 pm

let me find my bag in the other 600+ bags on one baggage reclaim, oh my the baggage handlers have there work cut out

pasu129 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 7:39 pm

Quoting Gazdon121 (Reply 27):
let me find my bag in the other 600+ bags on one baggage reclaim, oh my the baggage handlers have there work cut out

It'd be fun to see EK introduce bag fee like the US3

Armodeen · Thu Nov 05, 2015 7:52 pm

Quoting david_itl (Reply 6):

MAN is getting it, not LGW

I thought they changed their mind on that, meaning MAN gets it only for a few weeks before reverting to 3 class?

David_itl · Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:16 pm

It's meant to be permanent now. 4th flight may be coming along as well.

JAAlbert · Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:46 pm

According to the seat map on seatguru, the business class on this configuration is situated at the rear of the upper deck and retains the famous on board lounge area the the rear. It will be interesting to see how they disembark the business class at the end of a flight.

The economy section in this aircraft is a beast! I wonder if they will charge a premium for the 2 side seats on the upper level. It looks a bit cozier upstairs if you have a travel companion.

Gazdon121 · Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:07 pm

Quoting david_itl (Reply 30):

do u have a source please

boysteve · Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:13 pm

Quoting Amiga500 (Reply 12):

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives... No thank you!

Indeed, because most major international airports only have one or two flights arriving every couple of hours.

Hmmm landing at MAN within 20 minutes of EK19 is a nightmare and can be a time when flights from many destinations can arrive (HAM, DUS, DUB, ZRH etc) at T1.

TheRedBaron · Fri Nov 06, 2015 3:02 am

Its fantastic that someone is using the A388 in a higher density config, and probably will lower some fares a few percent and get great loads and make some destinations more affordable to PAX.

I really don't get the bad rap everyone gives a 600 hundred pax disembarking or luggage, if you have the means Fly F or J, great, but for most of the world they prefer a great vacation in a cheap flight, confort be damned, and in case of the A388 its the best sardine can available.

TRB

Viscount724 · Fri Nov 06, 2015 3:11 am

Quoting OA412 (Reply 21):
Quoting ZKOJQ (Reply 1):
BKK and KUL are no surprise, but I'm a little curious about CPH. I thought it would have been one of the higher yielding destinations for Emirates.

Danes are pretty cheap and thus aren't as apt as some others to purchase seats in premium classes.

Another indication is that SAS was one of the first few major carriers to eliminate first class service.

rbavfan · Fri Nov 06, 2015 3:28 am

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 11):
And one would wonder, why didn't EK adopt crew rest like AF, BA, and EY to be at cargo level? It would only make sense to not take up revenue generating space on main floor.

Very little space for revenue cargo. With their prices they need the cargo upload to meet cost.

cal764 · Fri Nov 06, 2015 9:58 am

I'd hate to be at a baggage claim with 614 other people..waiting...for..my.....bag

N14AZ · Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:09 am

Quoting pasu129 (Reply 9):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after this Emirates 600+ passengers flight arrives... No thank you!

Imagine you're lining up at the customs after a EK B777 and a CA A330 arrive at the same time.... No thank you!

Happens on a daily basis in Frankfurt.... and I guess on all major airports...

B8887 · Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:21 am

Quoting parapente (Reply 25):
615 eh phew that's a lot.

Also deboarding will probably take more time. Now on certain flights it sometimes takes more than 20 minutes from the moment the doors open until the last passenger leaves. This will probably increase to 25 to 30 minutes or so.

Regards.

B8887

AVFCdownunder · Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:31 am

Quoting cal764 (Reply 37):
I'd hate to be at a baggage claim with 614 other people..waiting...for..my.....bag

What about when some fool manages to not arrive at the gate for their flight and his/her checked baggage has to be located and offloaded.

LondonCity · Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:51 am

Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 26):
That's what a high level of wealth distribution in society does to F class sales.

Yes. Scandinavia is egalitarian. Back in 1988, SAS was one of (if not the first) the first European airlines to scrap first class. Within the Scandinavian area, foreign airlines find very little demand for first class.

RedChili · Fri Nov 06, 2015 11:53 am

Quoting TheRedBaron (Reply 34):
if you have the means Fly F or J, great, but for most of the world they prefer a great vacation in a cheap flight, confort be damned, and in case of the A388 its the best sardine can available.

Exactly. These 557 Y-class passengers will get 18 inch wide seats, with 32 inch pitch. That's faaar better than sitting in some sardine can 787 "Dreamliner" with 17 inch wide seats and 31 inch pitch.

Quoting N14AZ (Reply 38):
Imagine you're lining up at the customs after a EK B777 and a CA A330 arrive at the same time.... No thank you!

In places such as CPH and BKK, most people don't line up at customs at all. Most of them just go through the green channel, so it's not an issue.

Gazdon121 · Mon Nov 09, 2015 3:17 pm

What about if one flight was delayed and they both left around the small time on the same day then they would arrive at the same time, customs would be a nightmare and also baggage claim would be horrendous

LondonCity · Mon Nov 09, 2015 3:20 pm

Quoting Gazdon121 (Reply 43):
What about if one flight was delayed and they both left around the small time on the same day then they would arrive at the same time, customs would be a nightmare and also baggage claim would be horrendous

One can predict endless scenarios like this. Remember there can be a similar problem with Eurostar when it's disrupted as each train accommodates 750 pax and the new Siemens trains will seat 900 !

dubaiamman243 · Mon Nov 09, 2015 5:39 pm

Today at the DAS15 most of the people were asking, Where is the first class?

zkncj · Mon Nov 09, 2015 6:02 pm

Quoting Amiga500 (Reply 12):
Indeed, because most major international airports only have one or two flights arriving every couple of hours.

AKL has 3 EK A380s all arriving pretty much within an hour, and some days all 3 within 15 minutes. EK406 @ 1345, EK412 @ 1400, EK434 @ 1430.

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