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First time on an airbus380

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did it look like that? That's pretty huge.
 
Makes that small cargo plane I was just on seem even smaller and less comfortable than it was. Are those seats? Niiiice...
 
I lied. It's my second time but first time on upper deck.

Air France 2/2/2 business class config. I love my 777-er's but this airbus has got soooo much more room it's not even funny.

As a kid I loved the 747 but it's clearly showing it's age compared to these newer planes.
 
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Flew to Australia in one of those. I couldnt see a 15 hour flight in a smaller plane going over so well. It was nice to have lobbies to just go and talk in. Having your own TV was a plus too.
 
Enjoy it while you can, the A-380 will most likely be the last passenger aircraft with four engines, due to economics and advances in reliability.

For example, a typical engine on an A-380 has around 70K of thrust. A 777-300ER can push upwards of 110-115K of thrust. For comparison, an engine on a 737-800 has between 24.5 and 27K of thrust!! These numbers will vary slightly depending on manufacture of engine and its "firmware" so to speak, which dictates max thrust without needing to change more expensive mechanical components.

Back in the day people would be afraid to fly long over water routes on two engine aircraft, but that era is long gone. The 767 was the first twin engine that regularly flew trans Atlantic routes on two, and now the 777 routinely flies trans pacific routes on two engines. ETOP (Extended Twin Engine Operations) rules are adjusted as reliability increases.

For example, an aircraft with an ETOP rating of 180 means it must be able to reach a suitable airport on ONE engine within 180 minutes. This is why some trans-pac routes don't follow a perfect great circle line. For awhile, some airline (I think PanAm may they R.I.P.) maintained a small island airstrip in the Pacific to shorten their flights and for refueling if needed.

There is also a school of thought that two engines are actually safer since there are half as many engines to go wrong. Last I saw statistics bore this out, or was close enough to be negligible.

I have had the pleasure of standing about 100 yards of a GE90-115B spool up to full thrust. The sound it makes and the feeling of sheer power is indescribable.

Also, the 777-300ER is actually slightly LONGER than an A380 at 242.2 feet, vs. the A-380 at 239. And the 747 will ALWAYS be the Queen of the Skies. :Colbert:
 
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Sixguns said:
Flew to Australia in one of those. I couldnt see a 15 hour flight in a smaller plane going over so well. It was nice to have lobbies to just go and talk in. Having your own TV was a plus too.
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I can guarantee a flight from say LAX-SYD in a Gulfstream G-650 or Bombardier Global Express will be immensely more comfortable than an A-380 on the same route. It's all about seat pitch and the comfort of the seat.
 
Sixguns said:
Flew to Australia in one of those. I couldnt see a 15 hour flight in a smaller plane going over so well. It was nice to have lobbies to just go and talk in. Having your own TV was a plus too.
Click to expand...

Most planes give you your own TV these days...? For longer flights that is.
 
the Qantas a380s are nice. I flew on one a few months ago, bottom deck. I still have not had the good luck for an upgrade to business, our company fly's on the cheap.
 
davmat787 said:
Enjoy it while you can, the A-380 will most likely be the last passenger aircraft with four engines, due to economics and advances in reliability.

For example, a typical engine on an A-380 has around 70K of thrust. A 777-300ER can push upwards of 110-115K of thrust. For comparison, an engine on a 737-800 has between 24.5 and 27K of thrust!! These numbers will vary slightly depending on manufacture of engine and its "firmware" so to speak, which dictates max thrust without needing to change more expensive mechanical components.

Back in the day people would be afraid to fly long over water routes on two engine aircraft, but that era is long gone. The 767 was the first twin engine that regularly flew trans Atlantic routes on two, and now the 777 routinely flies trans pacific routes on two engines. ETOP (Extended Twin Engine Operations) rules are adjusted as reliability increases.

For example, an aircraft with an ETOP rating of 180 means it must be able to reach a suitable airport on ONE engine within 180 minutes. This is why some trans-pac routes don't follow a perfect great circle line. For awhile, some airline (I think PanAm may they R.I.P.) maintained a small island airstrip in the Pacific to shorten their flights and for refueling if needed.

There is also a school of thought that two engines are actually safer since there are half as many engines to go wrong. Last I saw statistics bore this out, or was close enough to be negligible.

I have had the pleasure of standing about 100 yards of a GE90-115B spool up to full thrust. The sound it makes and the feeling of sheer power is indescribable.

Also, the 777-300ER is actually slightly LONGER than an A380 at 242.2 feet, vs. the A-380 at 239. And the 747 will ALWAYS be the Queen of the Skies. :Colbert:
Click to expand...

I don't think they would have made it then if it didn't make sense. I'm sure they knew all this before they started.
 
T9D said:
I don't think they would have made it then if it didn't make sense. I'm sure they knew all this before they started.
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Agreed, but that is not what I was saying. I was simply saying the advances in engine technology has changed quite a bit even since the A-380 started development. Also the regulatory agencies views on twin vs. quad has changed as well. A twin engine aircraft will have better economics too, and considering the razor thin margins airlines operating on it is only a matter of time. My comment was nothing negative in regards to the A-380, I can't wait to fly on one myself.

Personally I am sad that three holers are relegated to cargo status now days, the L-1011 was always might favorite and I just appreciated that aircraft and the DC-10 from an aesthetic point of view. Fortunately I was able to fly one of the last on an LAX-PPT (Papeete Tahiti) flight right before 9/11.
 
Agreed that the A380 hasn't really sold well. In fact, it's bit of a dog. If Emirates didn't buy them like hot-cakes, it would have been a bomb. The used market for them will be abysmal.

In regards to the flying experience, I have heard it's great from a passenger experience. It's got space. It's quiet, etc. But those same people have said that the boarding process is a nightmare (both getting on, getting off, luggage, etc.).

I personally haven't flown it.

Of the AC I have flown TATL, the LH 747-8 offers the nicest experience I've had.
 
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