New Airbus A380
Why create an aircraft such as the A380?
With air travel expected to continue growing, the A380's ability to carry more passengers and freight will help ease airport congestion by transporting more people and freight without additional aircraft movement.
What will the A380 change for me as a passenger?
The A380 will provide more comfort in every class. This is possible because the A380 offers 50 per cent more floor space but will typically carry only 35 per cent more passengers. Some of the benefits will come as wider seats even for Economy class, some as more spacious aisles and galleys areas to stretch your legs. Regardless of how airlines plan their seats and services, the design of the A380 cabin ensures low noise level throughout and up to 15 per cent more stowage space for your carry-on luggage.In addition, the cabin will benefit from advanced lighting systems and new standards of in flight entertainment, which will greatly enhance your overall travel experience.These advances in cabin comfort are particularly important for the long haul routes such as London-Singapore and Los Angeles-Sydney.
How many passengers will I be flying with?
The A380 is designed to carry 555 passengers in a typical seating configuration, including an Economy, a Business and a First class. However most airlines have actually indicated that they may have fewer seats than this. In any case, you will not feel crowded thanks to the width of the two separate widebody decks as each will provide more space for everyone.
Will the economy class also benefit from more space or will it be only for the business and first classes?
The main deck of the A380 is wider than that of any commercial jetliner in operation today. Its extra floor space will benefit everyone aboard and will give airlines new opportunities to create innovative cabin arrangement for the greater comfort of all passengers. Regardless of how airlines arrange their seats and services, even the economy class will be wider. High capacity overhead bins and the latest generation of in flight entertainment will also significantly enhance passenger comfort.
Will it take me longer to board and to retrieve my luggage?
The innovative cabin of the A380 includes a wide dual-lane staircase, which will allow you to board the aircraft in the same time as any other large aircraft, using two standard bridges. Many airports are planning direct passenger access to the upper deck of the aircraft.The use of longer or linked baggage belts carrousels will ensure that your baggage is delivered in times comparable to today's.Passenger convenience for boarding and de-boarding has been carefully considered early on in our consultation with both the airports, which will accommodate the aircraft and the airlines, which will operate it.
The A380 is designed for long-haul travel and can fly up to 15,000km /8,000 nm non-stop. It will mostly fly on those routes which see the heaviest concentration of large aircraft flights today. Currently 60 major airports around the world are ready for the A380 or preparing to receive it.
Are the ticket fares going to be more expensive on an A380?
The A380's efficiency and advanced technology will result in a 15-20 per cent lower seat mile costs for the airlines. Therefore, for the same level of comfort and service, on the same route and with the same airline, the ticket fares should be equivalent or possibly less expensive than on any other aircraft.
What impact will a bigger aircraft have on the environment?
The A380 will be an environmentally friendly aircraft, which will produce half as much noise on take-off as its competitor and consume less than 3 litres of fuel per passenger over 100 km, a rate comparable to that of an economical family car. With its greater capacity and unprecedented environmental friendliness, the A380 provides the most economical and socially responsible solution to growing air traffic on key trunk routes.
I want to be one of the first to fly the A380. When will it be operated for the first time and by which airline?
Singapore Airlines will be the first airline in the world to introduce the A380 into commercial service in 2006. The carrier has already launched a 'first to fly A380' logo, which - for maximum effect - has been placed between the aircraft's twin row of windows, one of the new aircraft's most recognisable features.To be the first to know about Singapore Airlines' A380,
To date, Airbus has received 154 orders and commitments from 15 customers. These are (in alphabetical order): Air France, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Federal Express, International Lease Finance Corporation, Korean Air Lines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, UPS and Virgin Atlantic Airways.
Is the A380 the most technologically advanced aircraft to date?
The A380 combines the very latest technologies for materials, systems and industrial processes. It meets the most stringent international certification requirements. The A380 is not only the most spacious civil jetliner ever built, it is also the most advanced - representing a unique technology platform from which all future commercial Airbus aircraft will evolve.Each new technology developed, tested and adopted for the A380 has been carefully studied to determine its effects over the lifetime of the aircraft, and has been selected for its proven reliability and long-term benefits.
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