[Fabb]

Highly recommended (http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=327448)

Another picture that's somewhat intriguing :

http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/reuters_molt/1273194938.jpg

^Notice the military aircraft ... puzzling. What's it doing here ?

[Rachmaninov]

Wahhhh that picture link rocks!!

[MSPtoMKE]

^Notice the military aircraft ... puzzling. What's it doing here ?

I am sure it is photographing the flight.

[John F]

One thing that I wonder if someone could explain to me --

Why is it that in every picture of the A380 in flight, the landing gear is down?

[Rachmaninov]

^Not really... Look at the previous photos

[Daquan13]

Usually on takeoff about 60 feet in the air, you'd see the gear just before it retracts. And on landing just before touchdown, you'd definitely see it.

But there are instances when the landing gear is even lowered in flight, possibly just to see if it comes down or to increase drag for testing. But during landing proceedures, the gear comes out way before the plane ever reaches the runway.

The 767, when in flight testing, did the same thing. Something minor was wrong with the gear, so the pilots just left it down. Something had caused it to not be able to retract. The
plane performed very well & effortlessly with no loss in overall performances.

[Fabb]

It hasn't even come into commercial use yet, but the Airbus A380 is generating unequalled buzz in the air travel industry. This new passenger jet could carry over 800 passengers. Clear the runway, this mammoth jetliner is gearing up for its arrival.

The sheer size of this aircraft will mean reconfiguring runways, and adjusting airports to fit this huge airliner.

In mid 2006, Singapore Airlines is set to debut the A380 in its fleet. Lufthansa will start flying the A380 in 2007, and Emirates has so far been the biggest customer for this new aircraft. Qantas will receive its first A380 in October 2006, this will serve as the first A380 to hit North American shores as it plans to fly from Australia to Los Angeles. These are a few of the airlines investing in this huge aircraft. Getting airports on-board however, is not as easy.

Because of the size and the need for a longer landing strip, the A380 means that most airports would have to upgrade their runways to accommodate - a costly measure. In fact, few airport authorities are willing to commit the time and disruption that upgrading would cost. In Europe, larger airports such as London's Heathrow, and Frankfurt will invest in the changes. And in North America, as yet only Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York's JFK and Miami have agreed to make the necessary changes for the A380.

The A380's maiden voyage is ushering in the predicted age of mass transport on airliners. Airbus has documented the voyage so that all can see what was considered a flight of fancy, is now very real.

[Rachmaninov]

Does anybody know where are these A380s flying between for Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines?

[Fabb]

Singapore Airlines plans to use the A380 between London and Australia.
Air France will fly the A380 on the Paris-Tokyo, Paris-New York and Paris-Montreal routes.

[Rachmaninov]

Thanks! What about Lufthansa? And where did you get that piece of information?

[Fabb]

... from several sites in French.

Here's an old info about Lufthansa :

Lufthansa will use the A380 on routes to New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Delhi from Frankfurt. The airline has not made a decision on the power plants to power the aircraft, a spokesman said.

I don't know if it's still accurate.

[Rachmaninov]

O crap I was hoping it would fly Hong Kong...

[Fabb]

You know what, I was hoping the same. If only Cathay would buy a dozen of them. But so far, Cathay has never bought a single Airbus aircraft.

I'm pretty confident that Air France will end up using the A380 instead of the B777 on its Paris-HK route.

[Rachmaninov]

^They have A330 I think...

[Fabb]

^They have A330 I think...

Until last year, AF used the 777.
I was in it myself several times.

[Daquan13]

O crap I was hoping it would fly Hong Kong...



Their runways might not be able to support it.

Some airports aren't exactly polling out the welcome carpet fot this plane, while other are willing to make some changes to accommodate it.

For one thing, runways have to be widened, I herad. Gates have to be far enough where the plane's wings won't touch anything.



-Daquan13.

[Rachmaninov]

As far as I remember, HKIA was designed to accommodate a 'new generation large airplane'. I think they were referring to the A380.

[anyiliang]

If only Cathay would buy a dozen of them. But so far, Cathay has never bought a single Airbus aircraft.

I don't know if you have flown Cathay before, but to let you know, Cathay has bought many Airbus aircrafts.

Cathay flys Airbus 340-600, 340-300, 330-300


http://www.cathaypacific.com/intl/inflight/fleet/0,,,00.html

[Fabb]

Thanks for the link.
I've been a victim of the inaccuracies of the press. Again.

[mczamalek]

JKF will be ready for the 380- that's for sure.

The lifeblood of this airport is all about high volume major center to major center- Europe/Asia.

Bring it on Singapore!!!!!!!

[Fabb]

SQ A380 delivery further delayed

Delivery of Singapore Airlines’ first Airbus A380 aircraft has been further delayed by several months.

It is now expected the airline will introduce the aircraft in October next year. Exact timing of delivery is still uncertain following a number of delays.

The carrier had originally hoped to enter the aircraft into service during the second quarter of 2006. This was later revised to the middle of next year after delivery was pushed back to June.

SQ ordered 10 A380s in 2000, with options for another 15.

The airline intends to use a three-class configuration comprising 480 seats. The first A380 commercial flight in the world is expected to be on SQ’s Singapore-Sydney route.

It is unclear how the delay will affect Qantas and Emirates, which were the two airlines after SQ originally scheduled to receive the new aircraft in October 2006.

3 May 2005

[mczamalek]

No matter- 747/767/777 will do until airbus gets the show going.

I hope this will be an airbus I enjoy riding, so far that has been rare.

[Daquan13]

The 777 will do until Airbus gets going?

The 777 has sold over 500 planes in all versions of it. IT'S STILL GOING STRONG.

And now, the 777-200LR Worldliner will dethrone & unseat every
jetliner that came along as the longest range airliner.

Let's see if the A-380 can reach the 500-mark. As big and powerful as it is, it can't go the distance that the 777-200 Worldliner can. Time will tell.

[Horizon in air]

No matter- 747/767/777 will do until airbus gets the show going.

I hope this will be an airbus I enjoy riding, so far that has been rare.
well I enjoyed all the airbuses except for the A300/310 :P

[Fabb]

By B S Arun DH News Service, New Delhi:

According to sources in the company, an Indian airline has asked for a plane with an all-economy configuration, which means a carrying capacity of 850.

Airbus Industries may have lost to its American rival Boeing in the race to sell its aircraft to Air-India, but the European company is seriously pursuing private airlines in India, pitching the biggest passenger aircraft ever built, the A380.

Senior officials in Airbus Industrie told Deccan Herald that the company is in serious talks with at least one such carrier which may buy the super-jumbo sometime next year.

Refusing to disclose the name of the airline, Mr Nigel Harwood, Airbus Vice-President, Sales (India and South Asia), said: “There are several requests for the A380 worldwide and in India one domestic carrier has expressed interest in purchasing it. It will have an all-economy configuration, which means the aircraft will have 850 seats. It will fly in the domestic sector. We are also working with the Airports Authority of India to prepare Indian airports to receive A380s.”

Mr Harwood’s statement points to the likelihood that the new Indian buyer would be a budget airline, a carrier other than Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Sahara. The budget airlines, apart from Air Deccan, which are likely to take off in the next year include Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet, Magic Air, Go Air, Air One and Yamuna Airlines. As of now, Deccan and Kingfisher, which have asked for Airbus aircraft, have not included A380 on their shopping list. SpiceJet has favoured an all-Boeing fleet.

The double-decker A380, which last week successfully completed its initial test flight at Toulouse, its manufacturing base in France, will start commercial flights from 2006 when Singapore Airlines receives the first of the $285-million aircraft. Airbus has 154 orders for the 560 ton plane from leading airlines like Lufthansa, Virgin and Air France; Emirates Air tops the list with an order for 43 aircraft.

Airports gear up

While airports around the world, including Heathrow in London, JFK in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Frankfurt, are upgrading to welcome the A380, Indian airports will have to gear up too.

Singapore Airlines is expected to fly A380 to either Mumbai or Delhi late next year, making it mandatory for AAI to upgrade these airports.

AAI Chairman K Ramalingam said in Chennai on Sunday that his organisation would take up work at the four international airports in the metropolitan cities to handle A380 jets.

The A380s need exclusive parking bays, strengthening of taxiing tracks and adequate space for the mighty 79.9 metre wing span. “AAI has received written requests from various foreign carriers, especially those having a large presence at Indian airports, such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Lufthansa,” Mr Ramalingam said.

Also, AAI must take care of what happens inside the terminal: check-in space, baggage handling and security to service up to 850 passengers. For international terminals it will also have to provide space and increase manpower at the customs and immigration counters.

[Fabb]

Web posted at: 5/5/2005 6:44:26


TOULOUSE, France: The superjumbo Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial airliner, took off yesterday into cloudy skies over southwestern France for its second test flight.

The European aircraft maker, based in the French city of Toulouse, said the second flight-which came exactly a week after the A380's highly anticipated maiden voyage-would last about four hours.

As opposed to the international media hype that surrounded last week's flight, with hundreds of journalists on site to capture the historic moment, Airbus chose to conduct yesterday's test more discreetly.

"This second test flight is part of a programme of tests that will intensify from here on out, and we're not gonig to make statements on each phase of the programme," Airbus said.

A third flight is planned for later this week, probably on Saturday, followed by three flights next week, a company source said.

According to the source, yesterday's flight may be at an altitude slightly higher than the some 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) achieved in the first flight, and could climb up to 13,000 feet.

The double-decker airliner, capable of carrying up to 800 passengers, is a key factor in Airbus's battle with US aircraft maker Boeing for market dominance.

Delivery delay

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said yesterday it had been notified by European aircraft maker Airbus of a delay in the delivery of the A380 super-jumbo jetliner.

"We have been notified by Airbus of a delay and are working with them to minimise it. We are still working toward an entry into commercial service in the second half of 2006," the spokesman said.

An airline spokesman would not give the reason for the delay or any other details.

SIA, one of the world's most profitable airlines, is set to be the first carrier worldwide to fly the double-decker A380, billed as the biggest airliner ever built.

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said last year the airline hoped to start flying the plane in April 2006.

Chew has also said that while the A380 can accommodate more than 550 passengers, SIA will configure it to seat less than 500 people to provide for space and other luxuries on board. SIA has ordered 10 A380 aircraft, with an option to buy an additional 15. The aircraft has a price tag of about $275m.

The A380 completed a momentous maiden flight on April 27 in France.

[Daquan13]

Will there be additional aircraft that are scheduled to join THIS ONE for the flight testing of the vast various components on the craft?

Usually, that's what co's. do to test all aspects of the plane, gearing up for eventual airworthiness certification & the plane's license to fly.

[The Chemist]

Will there be additional aircraft that are scheduled to join THIS ONE for the flight testing of the vast various components on the craft?

Usually, that's what co's. do to test all aspects of the plane, gearing upi for eventual airworthiness certification & the plane's license to fly.

I believe there are 2 more A380s under construction for use as test flight planes.

[vincent]

4 prototypes are being built to do test flight (including the current one)

[Fabb]

May 11, 2005

Singapore Airlines, scheduled to be the first carrier to fly the Airbus A380 superjumbo, said on Wednesday it may only receive the new plane in the final quarter of 2006 due to a production delay.

"It looks more likely to go into the final quarter of 2006. But this is still subject to confirmation by Airbus," Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Chew Choon Seng told a news conference.

He said the delay was the result of a prolonged testing and certification program.

The airline said earlier this month it expected to begin flying the double-decker plane in the second half of 2006 after European manufacturer Airbus had notified it of a delay.

The world's largest airliner, which is costing EUR12 billion (USD$15.4 billion) to develop, took its first flight last month and faces at least a year of further tests before certification and the start of deliveries.

The plane, which has a list price of USD$285 million, can seat more than 800 passengers, though most airlines which have ordered it say they plan to seat 500 to 650.

The plane has dominated development at Airbus as it looks set to displace the 747 jumbo built by US rival Boeing as the largest airliner flying.

(Reuters)

[Daquan13]

Boeing now says & feels that smaller IS better, as in the case of the 777 & 787 Dreamliner. These two twin-aisle twinjet airliners together will dominate that sector as cheaper fuel-efficient cost- saving operations for carriers buying them.

Even though the 777 is only slightly smaller than the 747 (with its fuselage only a foot narrower than the 747), it can still serve on just as many route markets as the 747. In fact, the 777-200 has slightly more range than the 747. And it is showing no signs of letting up as the most prefered airliner next to the 747 in terms of passenger comfort, range & nautical miles.

Their (Boeing) theory is that the 747 has done its duty as the largest commercial jetliner in the world for over 35 years. Some 1,300 or more planes were made & sold to some of the biggest airlines all around the world. It's still in production though.

The 747 has enjoyed a very healthy sales record nonstop for at least 30 years or so.

[Stratosphere]

Just curious. Which city pairs will be served by Singapore Airlines' A380s?

[Daquan13]

One of them is probably Singapore to London.

The other may be Singapore to Nwew York.

Still another may be Singapore to Washington or Chicago.

[banned]

the A380 does not have the range for SIN to NY. Currently the A340-500 flies SIN-JFK, but even that route is farther than the standard range of the A340-500. That is why SIN does not have the max # of passengers on the plane.

The 777-200LR which is in flight testing right now also has the range for that city pair.

[Daquan13]

I forgot that the A380 probably weighs twice as much as the A340-500, so it won't go that far.

It's more of a mass transit vehicle than an ultra-long-range craft.

Yes, the 777-200LR Worldliner will do the trick.

[Fabb]

May 15, 2005

Airbus expands flight's role

By Tom Haines
The Boston Globe

When it took off from the tarmac in Toulouse, France, on April 27, the double-decker Airbus A380 became the longest, widest, most cost-effective jumbo jet to reach the skies. With roughly 50 percent more floor space than Boeing's 747, talk quickly turned to onboard bars, shops and even casinos for travelers shuttling from Singapore to Los Angeles, or Dubai to London.

Really? Even for those coach passengers tucked into, say, seat 21G, or 37D?

"I wouldn't bring along a bag of $1 coins for gambling in casinos anytime soon,'' said Richard Aboulafia, an airline industry analyst with the Teal Group Corp. "Everyone in coach is going to get their 2-foot-by2-foot area, and if you can afford more, you can enjoy those finer amenities.''

Take the current market as an indication: Upper class service on Virgin Atlantic can come in cabins with a sit-down bar and a visiting masseuse. A round-trip ticket for that kind of access on an upcoming flight from Boston to London, however, listed at $8,897.83.

Money makes the world go round, after all, and going around the world takes money. So as airlines decide how best to outfit their A380s, which can seat 555 passengers in a standard three-class setup, or more than 800 in coach-only, many are likely to try to fit as many seats, and passenger dollars, in coach as possible.

But the bigger point behind the A380's aviation milestone is that, cruising deeper into the 21st century, the role and influence of long-distance, international air travel continues to accelerate. Airbus, seeking to dominate the next generation of hub-to-hub international air travel, has already taken orders for 154 A380s from 15 customers worldwide.

Industry rival Boeing is betting on a different strategy: Airlines will want to fly more direct routes, carrying passengers from Boston to Madrid, or Baltimore to Mexico City, without transfers and layovers. In the days around the inaugural Airbus A380 flight, Boeing has continued to announce deals for its planned 787 Dreamliner that have brought a total of more than 200 orders for the smaller jet designed to carry fewer than 300 passengers on long-range flights.

The rivals are responding to the simple fact that more people are traveling more places than ever before. In 1950, according to a study by the UN's World Tourism Organization, there were 25 million international arrivals, in which business travelers, tourists and immigrants came to one country from another. Last year, that number topped 760 million.

Airlines from Asia and the Middle East have ordered 79 A380s. Three European carriers have ordered a total of 31, and this for a plane designed and built in Europe and heavily supported by European governments. No American passenger airline has yet ordered an A380.

"The economics are going toward Asia, which means that travel is going toward Asia, which is one reason Airbus is making this bet'' on the A380, said Fariborz Ghadar, director of Penn State University's Center for Global Business Studies.

Much of this air traffic comes from a merging world of migrants: An estimated 175 million people live in a country different from where they were born. Unlike generations past, when moving to a new country meant staying there, many now shuttle between old country and new. Others travel by air to second countries to work as laborers. Larger planes could help move workers on one of the world's largest paths of migration, from India and Bangladesh to Dubai and other parts of the Middle East.

"If the A380 lowers the cost of travel, it may make it easier for organized transport of labor migrants,'' said Kathleen Newland, director of the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.

[Fabb]

Wednesday May 25, 2005

A380, which completed its ninth test flight over the weekend, has exceeded its fuel burn goals, Airbus sources told ATWOnline. While coy on confirming the results, a spokesperson told this website that the aircraft is having a near-perfect flight test program. During the flights, some of which have lasted 8 hr., the A380 has been flown to an altitude of 43,000 ft. and at speeds up to Mach 0.89. Airbus plans to unveil the second A380 sporting a Singapore Airlines livery "shortly." Despite the positive A380 news, Cathay Pacific is still leaning toward the 747ADV and 777-300ER for its fleet growth/replacement order, which is expected in July, sources at the airline said. The fleet replacement plans currently call for its three A340-600s, leased from ILFC, to be replaced by 747ADVs.

by Geoffrey Thomas

[Fabb]

Airbus A380 flies 11 times in first month of test flights

Source ::: AFP

TOULOUSE, France: The Airbus A380, the world's biggest commercial aircraft, has been put through 11 test flights since its first flight a month ago, the European aircraft maker said yesterday.

The plane, expected to go into service late next year, has already flown at its maximum altitude of 43,000 feet and its maximum operating speed of 0.89 mach, or nearly 1,100km an hour.

"The comfort is excellent in flight up to 0.89 mach. The performances are in line with the objectives," Claude Lelaie, senior vice president of Airbus's flight division, said in an interview published Friday by French newspaper La Depeche du Midi.

Lelaie, who was one of the two test pilots, with Jacques Rosay, of the A380's maiden flight on April 27, added: "Our impression is excellent concerning the flight commands-only some minor adjustments remain." The A380 programme director, Charles Champion, told the daily: "We'll know more before the summer. Until now we have had no bad surprise." The prototype plane has no passenger seats, but instead is fitted with some 20 tonnes of electronic equipment that relays flight data to ground monitors.

The aircraft is slated to undergo tests of all its systems and flight capacities. After about a year and some 2,500 hours of test flights with five A380s, the superjumbo plane is expected to obtain European and US flight certification before being put into service by Singapore Airlines in the second half of 2006.

The initial version of the double-decker, four-engine aircraft has a 555-passenger capacity in a standard three-class configuration and can carry up to 840 passengers in charter seating.

[Daquan13]

I lost track of the number of airlines that have ordered this plane.

[Coyett]

Just curious. Which city pairs will be served by Singapore Airlines' A380s?

Future routes that would suit the aircraft might include:

Singapore - London
Singapore - Tokyo
Singapore - Shanghai
Singapore - Seoul
Singapore - Beijing

[Fabb]

Jun 1, 2005 — PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus confirmed on Wednesday that deliveries of its A380 superjumbo would be delayed by up to 6 months.

"It can vary but it is up to 6 months, depending on the serial number (of the plane)," a spokeswoman for the Toulouse-based aircraft manufacturer said.

Australian carrier Qantas Airways said earlier that deliveries of the A380, the world's largest passenger jet which made its maiden test flight in April, would be delayed by six months.

Air France also said it had been told to expect delays.

[Daquan13]

Why all of a sudden this delay?

Also, the gov't is looking into whether Airbus should be forced to pay a hefty muli billion dollar fine.

Something that has to do with them skimming money of the top in their offerings of the A-380 & the planned A-350 aircraft. They stand to lose billions of dollars against rival Boeing.

[Swede]

^that's part of the long-running dispue of subsedies(sp?) between EU/Airbus and US/Boeing. Airbus gets cheap goverment loans, Boeing gets huge goverment contracts in the defence sector.

[Daquan13]

Airbus Industrie has absolutely NO BUSINESS trying to lock horns with Boeing. Oh, just because they finally after so many eons, made a plane that's bigger than the 747, they think their butts don't stink!!

And BTW, yes, Boeing has been making huge deals & contracts in the defense sector. Airbus Industrie just can't say that because all they've made since they've been in business were commercial
airliners.

Also, the aircraft mechanics at United have said that Airbus's planes are nothing but junk! United has the A-320 & A-319 aircraft. They break down very often. Far more often than Boeing's planes!

They've badmouthed Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas & Boeing for years because they THINK they know more than these companies when they were around much longer beofre Airbus Industrie even came into existence.

[John F]

Cut the Boeing vs. Airbus bullshit Daq.

I guess you would like a monopoly huh? One shitty aerospace company with US ties - dominating the world over. No need for competition, just blind support for one type of product and absolutely no idea what coudl be offered in comparison.

Finally there is competition and you go into a pissy fit over it. Let me guess, you're going to start posting 787 stuff in here again just to show you're a Boeing fan and anti-Airbus?

[Daquan13]

Let's face it,

I've always been a longtime, long-standing supporter of Boeing, McDonnell Douglas & Lockheed Martin and I don't like what Airbus has tried to do to Boeing in the past nor do I like them for what they are doing now.

One last time - I NEVER ONCE said that I hated Airbus! Even though they've made some pretty decent looking planes, I just don't like their method of getting things done when it comes to their sales.

They've been trying to keep Boeing down for years, & now it looks like Boeing might soon be back on top. Yes, & speaking of the 787, since YOU'RE the one who mentioned it first, this plane WILL kick the crap out of Airbus! I'm just telling it like it is.

DEAL WITH IT.:hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious

[LoverOfDubai]

Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has bought 43 A380 airplanes. If you think this is alot, you should see the skyscrapers they have and are building.

[Rachmaninov]

Well there are quite a few airlines waiting for Boeing's 747 Advanced tho. Personally I'm a boeing fan, and I prefer 747s, 777s and 787s to any other airbus stuff. But A380 is quite an achievement I have to admit, ignoring the costs and safety stuff.

[The Chemist]

Airbus Industrie has absolutely NO BUSINESS trying to lock horns with Boeing. Oh, just because they finally after so many eons, made a plane that's bigger than the 747, they think their butts don't stink!!

Huh? Why shouldn't Airbus be able to lock horns with Boeing? They're a successful commercial airline manufacturer, just as Boeing is, so why shouldn't Airbus be able to compete with them? It sounds here like you think that Boeing should have a monopoly on the commercial airplane sector, and that nobody should be allowed to compete with the hallowed and godly Boeing. :rolleyes:

And BTW, yes, Boeing has been making huge deals & contracts in the defense sector. Airbus Industrie just can't say that because all they've made since they've been in business were commercial
airliners.

Also, the aircraft mechanics at United have said that Airbus's plane are nothing but junk! United has the A-320 & A-319. They break down very often. Far more often than Boeing's planes!

They've badmouthed Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas & Boeing for years because they THINK they know more than these companies when they were around much longer.

Let's face it,

I've always been a longtime, long-standing supporter of Boeing, and I don't like what Airbus has tried to do to Boeing in the past nor do I like them for what they are doing now.

One last time - I NEVER ONCE said that I hated like Airbus! Even though they've made some pretty decent looking planes, I just don't like their method of getting things done when it comes to their sales.

They've been trying to keep Boeing down for years, & now it looks like Boeing might soon be back on top. Yes, & speaking of the 787, since YOU'RE the one who mentioned it, this plane will kick the crap out of Airbus! I'm just telling it like it is.

DEAL WITH IT

:sly :rolleyes:

Somebody has some serious issues and needs some :help: What did Airbus do to you in the past that you have such serious dislike, and, dare I say it, based on your respones above, hatred for the company? They don't have any worse business practices than Boeing, IMO - they just happen to get their subsidies for commercial rather than military products, but you're deluding yourself if you think Boeing doesn't get at least as many subsidies from the US Government as Airbus gets from the EU.

[Daquan13]

What part don't you understand?

Once again, where is it written that I said I HATE the company?
I DO NOT hate them. I'll just let the chips fall where they may.

[lakegz]

why are you using bold letters in a thread about a new airplane? why such passion daquan?

[Daquan13]

Some of the forumers are putting words in my mouth, probably because they want to contradict what I'm saying.

[Arunava]

^Corporate brainwashing at it's best...or is it worst.

[Rachmaninov]

Let's drag the topic back to A380?
Does anybody here know why is Airbus delaying the delivery of A380?

[igzaklee]

Rach, you ask and you shall receive: :)

A380 delay linked to a German parts plant

By Don Phillips International Herald Tribune
FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2005

PARIS The delay that Airbus has announced in delivery dates of its A380 jumbo jet is linked to production problems at one of its main parts plants in Germany, and not to safety or quality issues, people with knowledge of the project said Thursday.

The Airbus plant in Hamburg failed to properly assemble some components, these people said, which will mean a delay of as much as six months in the assembly of the aircraft at the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France.

The Hamburg production problems were not the only reason for the delay, announced Wednesday, but they aggravated the normal snags that often affect aircraft projects. As with other new aircraft, delays for the A380 have ranged from unforeseen testing issues to modifications of the plane's interior requested by customers.

Some of the A380's main customers - including Singapore Airlines, Qantas of Australia and Dubai-based Emirates - have signaled that they may seek compensation from Airbus for the delay.

A spokeswoman for Airbus, Debra Batson, declined to confirm or deny the reports of problems in Hamburg. "We are just reviewing our production schedule based on assessments from the factories and suppliers," she said.

The problems had more to do with production misunderstandings or failures than with any safety or quality-related issues, the sources said, and the problems are not related to suppliers. "It's our very own factory in Germany," said one of the sources, an Airbus executive who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the project.

One of the production problems involved large parts that arrived in Toulouse from Hamburg without the assembled wiring. The wiring harnesses are supposed to be fully assembled, connected and tested before the parts are shipped, but a number arrived with no harnesses in place.

That meant that workers in Toulouse had to stop production and assemble and test the wiring, a process that could take hours or days. The Airbus sources also said that the delay was not related to problems with the aircraft's weight or performance. "The weight is on target, and performance is very much on target," the Airbus executive said, adding that test crews were pleased with the "beautiful" handling characteristics of the plane.

Batson, the spokeswoman, also strongly denied persistent rumors that the A380 is too heavy. "I confirm that the weight is definitely not the problem," she said.

Batson also said that some measure of delay should come as no surprise. Delays are common in major projects, she said, including with Boeing products, such as the new version of its jumbo jet, the 747-400. Also, she said, Airbus made public statements at the time of the A380's first flight on April 27 that delivery would be in the second half of 2006, not the first half as originally planned.

Airbus executives in Toulouse who discussed the delay in April gave no reason other than normal testing delays.

Richard Aboulafia, vice president of the Teal Group, a consulting firm in Fairfax, Virginia, said any problem with the Hamburg plant should be short-lived. "Hamburg has a lot of experience," he said. "I can't imagine the problem won't be resolvable." He also said he had no concerns about production delays, agreeing that they are common to every aircraft project. His firm already is predicting a nine-month delay in production of Boeing's new plane, the 787.

But he said he remained suspicious that the A380 has a weight problem, no matter what Airbus says.

The A380 delays could not come at a worse time for the aircraft maker. Airbus is entangled in a high-stakes fight with Boeing over subsidies, and company officials have acknowledged that Boeing may sell more planes than Airbus this year for the first time since 2000.

On Wednesday in Frankfurt, Hans Peter Ring, chief financial officer of European Aeronautic Defense & Space, the parent of Airbus, told Reuters that Boeing may get more orders than Airbus this year.

"We can live with a situation where we would have been less than 50 percent in '05," Ring said, referring to the split of orders between Airbus and Boeing.

The company and EADS are also embroiled in a French-German tussle over the company's management structure. A plan to promote Gustav Humbert, a German, to Airbus chief executive was delayed Wednesday, indicating that neither country had decided the issue. The current president, Noël Forgeard, scheduled for promotion to EADS joint chief executive, is leading a French effort to block Humbert.

[CitySkyline]

Just found this thread (heck, just noticed this forum! :D ) and read most of it (skipped some of the middle pages). Here's my take on it: I don't see the point of making this an "us" vs. "them" issue (Boeing vs. Airbus). Rather, I see this almost like the world's tallest building issue: for many years, the Empire St. Bldg reigned supreme. Now, all the tallest are overseas. So rather than be upset about it, I embrace the overseas buildings for what they are (wow, huge buildings!) and realize what they're not (old classics).

In the case of the A380, that thing is BIG! So, I do look forward to seeing it in person and riding in it (since I like tall and big things :D ). But, for that classic beautiful look, it can't beat the 747 (maybe nothing ever will). The hump, the nose, the placement of the cockpit, etc. to me makes the 747 a much more elegant airplane. In the same way that the ESB is no longer the tallest in the world but is still loved as a great looking building, I believe the 747 will always be seen as a thing of beauty.

But for sheer size and that WOW factor, I admire the A380 and I look forward to seeing it in person. Besides, there's room enough in this world for both planes (especially considering that many airports won't want to spend the $ to accomodate the A380).

(btw, I am also looking forward to riding in the 7E7 (787?) since it appears it will be quite comfortable, especially with the larger windows... I like looking out when I fly! :D )

[Fabb]

But for sheer size and that WOW factor, I admire the A380 and I look forward to seeing it in person. Besides, there's room enough in this world for both planes

I agree.
That's totally correct.

News about the delay :

Airbus in Germany denies blame for A380 delay
Fri Jun 3, 2005 4:41 PM BST

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Delay in the Airbus A380 double-decker is not the fault of its Hamburg plant, company officials said on Friday, rejecting media reports sourced to Airbus insiders who blamed the German arm of the France-based plane maker.

"It's not the case," said Airbus Germany spokesman Arndt Hellmann. He added that time delays on large aircraft projects were common and that they were always subject to changes. "It's a huge project."

Franco-German friction is at the heart of a management feud that has gripped parent firm EADS and stalled appointments of a new Airbus chief executive, new EADS co-CEOs and a boss for its defence business.

One industry insider in Germany told Reuters he was not aware of specific problems at Airbus's Hamburg plant, describing the criticism as a "kick in the shin", part of a wider squabble that some industry analysts have called unprofessional.

The company, which is run jointly at chairman and chief executive level by French and German executives sharing the same position, has already postponed the expected naming of the first German head of Airbus, Gustav Humbert.

But French shareholders have signalled they are prepared to delay an agreement on a new management structure, including Humbert's appointment, until after this month's Paris air show, in a stand-off with German shareholder DaimlerChrysler, a source close to the matter told Reuters.

The naming of Airbus number two Humbert as successor to Noel Forgeard, who is being promoted to the post of EADS co-CEO, is being tied by the French to a wider deal on management of the parent company.

One of the new Airbus CEO's main challenges will be keeping on track an aircraft programme that EADS said this week would be delayed two to six months.

A senior official with one of the buyers of the A380, which is due to go into service next year, blamed bottlenecks in the supply of equipment for cabin interiors to Airbus for the delays.

The International Herald Tribune quoted people with knowledge of the A380 project as saying the Hamburg plant failed to properly assemble some components, causing delays in the assembly of the planes at Airbus's factory in Toulouse, France.

Suppliers were not at fault, the paper said. "It's our very own factory in Germany," the paper quoted an Airbus executive as saying, adding that the person requested anonymity.

[Daquan13]

June 06, 2005

BUSINESS BRIEFS

(New York Post)

Emirates, the #1 customer for Airbus' SAS A-380, said that it's seeking damages from the European plane maker because of a six-month delivery delay in its $7 billion order, joining Quantas Airways in the action.

[Fabb]

http://img-actu.x-echo.com/Images/mmd--francais--journal_internet--une/SGE.CIT15.120605080453.photo00.photo.default-384x255.jpg

The A380, before landing at Le Bourget airport for the Paris air show.

[mczamalek]

^fantasy slips further into reality!

can't wait to ride one of those fat boys. ;)

[Daquan13]

It's going to cost you an arm & a leg to do so.

[MistyMountainHop]

In North America, as yet only Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York's JFK and Miami have agreed to make the necessary changes for the A380.

Actually, Vancouver international Airport (YVR) is upgrading their international terminal for the A380. they have already upgraded their runways.

[vincent]

what about toronto?

[Fabb]

New Airbus super-jumbo makes first landing in Paris

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/AFP/SGE_CKZ62_120605152031_00_quicklook_163x245.jpg



PARIS : The new super-jumbo Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner, flew into Paris for its public debut at the world's biggest air show, the new weapon in its European makers' battle with US rival Boeing.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/genImage.aspx?uri=2005-06-12T234209Z_01_MCC285014_RTRUKOP_2_PICTURE0.jpg&resize=full


The giant double-decker craft, which holds 555 to 840 passengers, arrived under sunny skies, nose to the wind, setting its majestic frame down like a star at Le Bourget airport, where the 46th Paris Air Show starts Monday.

It will be the clash of the aerospace titans at this site just north of the French capital, after a recent turn in fortunes that left Boeing poised to retake the lead in passenger airplane orders it lost five years ago.

The Airbus A380, which made a high-profile maiden flight on April 27, flew in "without a hitch" from the southwestern French city of Toulouse where the craft are assembled, said French pilot Jacques Rosay.

He is one of its two test pilots along with German Wolfgang Absmeier, who actually set the craft down at Le Bourget.

They were to take the craft up on a "rehearsal" later Sunday before its official demonstration Monday when President Jacques Chirac inaugurates this week-long show, a bazaar of 2,000 exhibitors from 41 countries for professionals and, for the last three days, the public.

Several demonstration flights are planned at Le Bourget, and Rosay, who will man the controls during the week, said it was "possible" the super-jumbo would be taken up every day.

"The aim, in coming here, is to show off this magnificent airplane to the whole world," he said after they flew in to wild applause by a few dozen Airbus employees and a 20-member gendarme "escort" waiting for the plane.

Le Bourget officials said they specially extended a runway to accommodate the A380, which an Airbus spokesman said will hit its 100th hour flying time at Le Bourget and is due to enter commercial service in 2006.

Global commercial aviation has seen its recession fade for the most part, except for some US airlines, since the last Paris Air Show in 2003, when the sector was still reeling from the September 11 terror attacks in the United States and the SARS epidemic in Asia.

As elsewhere in the global economy, Asia is powering demand for new commercial planes, seen by Boeing as more than doubling the world's commercial fleet by 2024.

And this year the Americans are back in force at the event, after military top brass snubbed the 2003 show over France's opposition to the US-led war in Iraq.

Though the A380 is tipped as star of the Paris Show, a recent announcement by Airbus that production problems would force a six-month delay in deliveries cast a shadow on its shine. Its first commercial flight, with Singapore Airlines, is now set for late 2006.

When questioned Sunday, pilot Rosay said the test-flight program was in no way at fault. It "has gone as planned. This has nothing to do with that," he said. The flight to Le Bourget was the Airbus A380's 22nd test flight.

The delay could entail financial penalties for Airbus, owned 80 percent by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company and 20 percent by BAE Systems of Britain.

Boeing's retort in the escalating war of superlatives landed Friday at the Le Bourget airport, completing its first intercontinental flight: the 777-200LR Worldliner.

The world's longest-range commercial airplane -- at 9,420 nautical miles (17,445 kilometers) -- can connect almost any two cities in the world non-stop.

On Monday, the rivals' fight lands at the World Trade Organisation for a hearing on their competing lawsuits over public aid.

However, pre-show buzz around the aero rivals concerned two long-haul, medium-capacity airliners yet to be built.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, due to enter service in 2008, has already won 266 orders and options. Airbus's defensive response, the A350, has attracted only 10 orders and the announcement of its launch date, originally expected at the show, was pushed back last week to September.

Gulf-based airlines could spring surprise orders again as they did at the last Paris show. Qatar Airways is expected to disclose a lucrative order for some 60 new planes and was in advanced negotiations with Airbus and Boeing on the 787 or the A350, an aviation industry source said.

The Doha-based airline surprised the last biennial show with an order for 32 Airbus aircraft.

Some 60 aircraft were expected to present aerial demonstrations.

However, organisers have grounded drones, or unmanned aircraft, due to security concerns.

- AFP /ls

[Fabb]

A380 flight demonstration in Paris to provide sales push
Posted on : Mon, 13 Jun 2005 12:32:00 GMT | Author : Thomas Blythe

http://www.earthtimes.org/newsimage/airbus_a380_0265.jpg

PARIS: The Paris air show witnesses a flying demonstration of the much-hyped marvel of passenger aircraft, the A380 of Airbus Industries. The largest ever airliner to be built so far, A380 can ferry 555 people in total comfort in long-haul intercontinental flights.

The show will also feature Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. However, Dreamliner is not ready for a roll-out and as such, will be only on display at Boeing's stand.

While the A380 is built on the premise that tomorrow's aircraft would need higher seating capacity, the 787 Dreamliner harps on fuel efficiency and comfort.

Airbus claims although A380 can seat 555 most comfortably, it can accommodate as many as 800. Its USP includes fuel efficiency and noiseless flying. Built with two decks, it will have a spacious lower deck, more spacious than existing wide-bodied jets, and a narrower upper deck. With an environment that compares with a starred hotel, it has lounges and spaces for passengers to stretch their legs, move about and talk to each other. Other features include wheelchair-accessible toilets, bathrooms with showers and overhead luggage racks that lower automatically to heights where passengers can comfortably put or remove their baggage.

Boeing says the Dreamliner is a moderate-sized wide-bodied aircraft, soundless and fuel-efficient and meant for non-stop long-haul routes. The emphasis is more on design changes, visual appeal and wider windows. There are automated light controllers to change the cabin light to suit travelers. The light can be a tinge of blue when the sun rises or peach at meal times. The interiors are made to give a feeling of spaciousness.

But, where it scores over Airbus is in technology. The aircraft will use composite material -- carbon fiberglass, including in its fuselage, titanium and aluminum. This is known to provide passenger comfort -- higher air pressure and humidity in cabins -- and to offer better maintenance facilities. But, the most important gain is fuel economy.

Boeing has maintained that it is not for a direct competition in the 555-seat category. It feels the market for the 555-seat plane does not justify the investment required to build the jet.

Airbus has a version on its design tables that can take on the 787 directly -- the A 350. However, industry observers feel the company may not make any announcements on this airliner mainly because there is a suit pending in WTO charging trade pact violations. The U.S. government has represented before the WTO that Airbus is receiving state patronage, which is against existing agreements governing competition.

There are other issues confronting the Airbus A380. There is a possible delay in deliveries and known friction between France and Germany, two main shareholders of the company's parent, EADS, over appointing a CEO.

Boeing, meanwhile, announced that it may start delivery of an advanced version of its 747 in 2008.

Boeing's head of commercial aircraft, Alan Mulally, said at Paris, "We're getting very good interest in the Advanced (7)47. We would probably deliver around 2008. It's really paced by the engine on the (7)87."

The redesigned 747 will use the more economical engine under development for the Dreamliner. Mulally said the plane would carry about 50 more passengers and 15 tons of cargo than the current largest 747.

Boeing expects to bag 400 to 500 orders for this version over a 20-year period.

[vincent]

Boeing CEO visited the A380 with Airbus CEO and test pilots in the last day of Paris show.

[vincent]

Paris air show. You can see A380 and A340 on the left upper corner. And two 747 in the parking area.
http://www.digitalglobe.com/images/qb/le_bourget_airshow_june12_2005_dg.jpg

[MSPtoMKE]

^Very cool!

[Daquan13]

Yes!

In the middle near the round thing appears to be a 777-200LR
Worldliner and a 767.

Over to the right is a 747-400 paired with a 767.

[vincent]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/228818_airbustour16ww.html

[The Chemist]

Man, that picture is great. It really shows the enormous size of the wings on the A380 (significantly larger than those of the 747) and the great length of the A340-600 (the longest passenger aircraft in the world, IIRC).

[Stratosphere]

In North America, as yet only Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York's JFK and Miami have agreed to make the necessary changes for the A380.
It doesn't suprise me. These are some of the US airports that serve the most international flights.

[vincent]

i remember reading news that Dallas or Detroit will upgrade their airport for a380 too. Forgot which one, i believe the airport code start with "DW"

[Fabb]

Photos by Fredo :



http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00112.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00113.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00114.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00122.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00123.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00124.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00119.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00120.JPG
http://lehavrephoto.canalblog.com/images/DSC00132.JPG

[kool maudit]

In North America, as yet only Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York's JFK and Miami have agreed to make the necessary changes for the A380.

Actually, Vancouver international Airport (YVR) is upgrading their international terminal for the A380. they have already upgraded their runways.


montreal-trudeau will be the first canadian airport to receive the a380. air france is flying them on the montreal-paris route starting 2006 i think.

if i'm not mistaken, the airport is already a380-prepared.

[Daquan13]

In the bottom pic, is that also an A-380 in the foreground where part of the left wing, engine & tail are shown?

Looks like it is.

[The Chemist]

In the bottom pic, is that also an A-380 in the foreground where part of the left wing, engine & tail are shown?

Looks like it is.

I don't think so. As far as I know, there's only one A380 at the Paris show. The plane in the foreground is probably an A340-600.

[vincent]

the second A380 prototype is not even out of the production line yet. There is only one A380 exists so far.

[Daquan13]

I think I read somewhere that the second craft has come off the production line and has joined the first one in the flight testing.

I could be wrong, but I thought that's what I read. It's been said that a total of five or so are needed to engage in and complete the flight testing.

Also, the plane has to be able to prove to the gov't that it can safely get a total of 800 or so passengers off the craft in an emergency before it can receive its licence to fly with passengers
on it.

Does anyone know yet if this was done!

[vincent]

380 formation
http://familymiller.myadsl.nl/a380/

[Fabb]

Lufthansa submits building application for A380 maintenance hall
06.21.2005, 01:05 PM

FRANKFURT (AFX) - Deutsche Lufthansa AG said it submitted today a building application to the Frankfurt authorities for the construction of a maintenance hall for its Airbus A380 superjumbos.

The German flag carrier said it expects the application to be approved in autumn this year.

It also said that the hall -- which will be built on the Frankfurt airport site -- is expected to be completed by autumn 2007 in time for delivery of the first of its 15 A380 planes ordered.

[vincent]

an aritcle about the aerodynamic development of A380
http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/06/14/Navigation/180/199071/Creating+A+Titan.html

[Fabb]

June 28, 2005

Lufthansa received the go-ahead to build a maintenance hangar to handle the Airbus A380 superjumbo at Frankfurt Airport on Tuesday.

The administrative court of Kassel, in Germany, rejected opposition to the project from local authorities and environmental groups, upholding the state of Hesse's approval of the planned building last November.

Construction of the hangar will be able to start as scheduled in the autumn. The court called for an additional report to be prepared on noise, but this was not expected to delay the project.

Lufthansa needs the hangar to be ready for when it takes delivery of the first of 15 A380s, due in the autumn of 2007. The carrier will be among the first customers to start operating the world's largest passenger airliner.

(Reuters)

[dpbaker]

Haven't Japanese airlines like JAL and ANA already placed pre-orders for the 7E7?

[twoNeurons]

I think JAL is waiting to see if the 747ADV goes into production.

ANA pre-ordered some 787s (7E7) i think.

Japan is co-developing concorde v. 2 and is doing more European business recently... so they may turn aside their previous held American bias...

the 787 is a fantastic plane from a passenger-perspetive though.

[tayser]

747 - snore!

Melbourne will be A380 ready very soon.

We're most definitely likely to see these on:

MEL-LHR via Singapore/Dubai - Qantas, Singapore and Emirates

And what I don't understand is Air Canada missing a golden opportunity to steal pax off Qantas on the Pacific routes and flying non-stop to Sydney and Melbourne through Vancouver/Calgary to the West and Interior of the US and Canada, there's only a couple of hours in it, but we need more competition!

[Daquan13]

Air Canada was supposed to be buying 777's & 787's.

However, the deal seems to have gone south, as there was a dispute between the company & its pilots over the deal.

I hope that they can settle this.

[STR]

Japan is co-developing concorde v. 2 and is doing more European business recently... so they may turn aside their previous held American bias...

Europe and Japan are spending a combined $5 million on their new SST project. That's about enough money to make a few cool renderings and a decent mockup. Nothing will come of it.

[Rachmaninov]

Yea JAL and ANA both placed orders for the 787.

[twoNeurons]

Japan is co-developing concorde v. 2 and is doing more European business recently... so they may turn aside their previous held American bias...

Europe and Japan are spending a combined $5 million on their new SST project. That's about enough money to make a few cool renderings and a decent mockup. Nothing will come of it.

That may be true... but Japan is looking for new industries to get itself out of recession and they tend to like make-work projects... so they may very well make a go of it.

[twoNeurons]

747 - snore!

Melbourne will be A380 ready very soon.

We're most definitely likely to see these on:

MEL-LHR via Singapore/Dubai - Qantas, Singapore and Emirates

And what I don't understand is Air Canada missing a golden opportunity to steal pax off Qantas on the Pacific routes and flying non-stop to Sydney and Melbourne through Vancouver/Calgary to the West and Interior of the US and Canada, there's only a couple of hours in it, but we need more competition!

I agree about AC. I really think they're stupid not to get those new planes soon! They got rid of all their jumbos and their 767s are getting OOOLLLDDD...

With 787s in the livery they could rule the Canada-Australia routes.

As for 747... it may be old, but it's still the prettiest passenger plane in the sky. The A380 is very cool, and BIG, but it looks like the flying sausages I used to draw for airplanes when I was 7.

I'm all for NEW technology... not more of the same.

Let's get some Delta wing craft in the air!

[Daquan13]

The 747 is still being made. Just that some of the airlines are waiting to see if the 747-400 Advanced will move forward.

[Fabb]

MELBOURNE - Passenger numbers sky high

21jul05

MELBOURNE Airport has been used by a record number of passengers – more than 20 million people a year.

Passenger numbers increased in the financial year 2004-2005 by more than 1.6 million people, or 4400 a day.

The highest growth was on international routes, which rose 14 per cent to more than 4.2 million passengers, an airport statement said.

For eight years, Melbourne has had the fastest growing international passenger traffic of any airport in Australia.

Domestic passenger numbers had increased 7 per cent to more than 16.2 million.

Airline competition was continuing to reduce ticket costs and drive the growth in passenger numbers, the Melbourne Airport statement said.

The airport's main runway was widened by 15m in May to accommodate the new Airbus A380, and the international terminal was being expanded over three levels.

Work had begun on a second entry road to the airport from the Tullamarine Freeway and an expansion of the car park opened earlier this month.

[tayser]

you can see the A380 works going on just off the International terminal (middle):

http://thehoddlegrid.net/dump/882863.jpg

[tayser]

747 - snore!

Melbourne will be A380 ready very soon.

We're most definitely likely to see these on:

MEL-LHR via Singapore/Dubai - Qantas, Singapore and Emirates

And what I don't understand is Air Canada missing a golden opportunity to steal pax off Qantas on the Pacific routes and flying non-stop to Sydney and Melbourne through Vancouver/Calgary to the West and Interior of the US and Canada, there's only a couple of hours in it, but we need more competition!

I agree about AC. I really think they're stupid not to get those new planes soon! They got rid of all their jumbos and their 767s are getting OOOLLLDDD...

With 787s in the livery they could rule the Canada-Australia routes.

As for 747... it may be old, but it's still the prettiest passenger plane in the sky. The A380 is very cool, and BIG, but it looks like the flying sausages I used to draw for airplanes when I was 7.

I'm all for NEW technology... not more of the same.

Let's get some Delta wing craft in the air!

I'm just looking at my plane ticket next year.

$2024AUD flying Air Canada Melbourne-[Sydney]-[Honalulu]-Vancouver, then Halifax-[St. John's]-London Heathrow.

But a one way Melbourne-Vancouver is $1900

they're only trying to compete on the Aus-europe market and not Aus-North America??

I mean, come the FRAK on Air Canada!

And it's one of their 767s - They don't take their Airbuses down here in our off-season, pity, because I wouldn't have to FRAK around with US customs bullshite in Hawaii that way (I get the AUS-US visa waiver, but for people who can't - it's soooo bollocks and would be prevented if they were serious about competing with Qantas/United/American who only fly to LAX or SFO). And I have to transit through Sydney which is a pain in the arse, it's a Qantas Flight from Melbourne to Sydney - wouldn't need it if AC flew one of their air buses Melbourne-Vancouver and Sydney-Vancouver daily.

all those prices are tax and fuel charges as at a few weeks aog inclusive.

blarp & end of rant.

[STR]

The 747 is still being made. Just that some of the airlines are waiting to see if the 747-400 Advanced will move forward.

Just a detail, but it isn't the 747-400 Advanced, it is just 747 Advanced, the lack of the dash 400 indicating it will recieve a new model number, likely 500.

[Daquan13]

No.

It IS the 747-400 Advanced that Boeing is studying. The present model is just the 747-400.

The -500 is a larger model that Boeing had toyed around with.

[Fabb]

Dallas

DFW International Airport Ready for Airbus A380 as International Terminal D Opens
Sunday July 24, 8:00 am ET
First New Terminal Built to Accommodate Larger Aircraft; Cargo & Passenger Facilities Available; Possible $500 Million in Annual Economic Impact to Region

http://www.aeroweb-fr.net/photos-airbus-a380/vue_avant.jpg

DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Texas, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Given a strong mandate by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth to increase international opportunities for the region, DFW International Airport opened its new International Terminal D on Saturday prepared to land an Airbus A380 aircraft. DFW built its new international terminal and nearby cargo facilities to accommodate new, larger aircraft as part of its expansion strategy conceived more than five years ago. Now, the world's third busiest airport stands ready to handle the super-sized aircraft as soon as a carrier makes it available.

ADVERTISEMENT
"We think it's appropriate that the world's newest international terminal opens its doors prepared to accommodate the world's newest aircraft," says Jim Crites, executive vice president of operations at DFW International Airport. "We will have the first and only terminal in the United States specifically designed and built to land and service this new era of jumbo planes. And as cargo and passenger carriers begin purchasing the aircraft we hope they will give DFW a serious look as a destination. And rest assured we will be prepared to greet them."

DFW's industry-leading design on International Terminal D and the Airport's legacy of size both play a role in accommodating the Airbus A380. When DFW was constructed more than 30-years ago, its runways were built to wider military standards. D/FW has three 200-foot-wide runways -- 17-Right, 18-Left and 13-Left -- that can handle the wider plane. Modifications to the Airport's taxiways would cost approximately $7 million. New cargo facilities under construction are also designed for the A380. And the Airport estimates a daily flight of 555 passengers would bring an annual economic impact of $500 million to North Texas.

"Our region has strived for international destination status for decades and the Mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth and our Airport Board have always considered international reach a vital part of DFW's mission for our communities," said Jan Collmer, a Dallas representative to the DFW International Airport Board who is serving his second term on the board. "It is important that airports of the world adapt rapidly to aircraft developments and DFW is highly adaptive. The A380 can bring this region billions of dollars in new tourism and business and create more jobs for North Texas, so it's good business for us to be ready."

The Airbus A380 was part of International Terminal D's design from the drawing board to opening day. Three sets of gates at the new terminal are sized to handle the super jumbo jet, and upper-level jet bridges can be easily added to allow each airplane to have three jetways for loading and deplaning passengers. Behind the scenes, D/FW fire and emergency crews have already begun practicing double-level evacuations and rescue procedures to become familiar with the procedures.

While DFW awaits the arrival of its first A380 from a current or new air carrier in the years ahead, International Terminal D will begin handling other large, wide-body jets immediately on opening day with facilities aimed at providing quick arrivals and departures for international travelers. Terminal D covers 29 acres and encompasses 2.1 million sq. ft. of interior space. For departing travelers, 99 ticketing positions as well as two check-in areas that can accommodate 37,000 passengers daily. Security lanes spread among three security checkpoints will allow screeners to process up to 1,500 passengers per hour.

For arriving travelers, there will be eight 100-ft.-long baggage carousels, with each unit being two feet deeper and 25-percent longer than average carousels. Each of the carousels can simultaneously handle baggage from two Boeing 777 transports, and the entire baggage claim system enables 4,000 passengers to claim 8,000 bags at once. In addition, the terminal will be capable of processing up to 2,800 people per hour in the Immigration and Naturalization Service's arrivals hall.

"International Terminal D is more than gates and glass -- it is a dramatic improvement in the international travel experience," says Clay Paslay, executive vice president of airport development at DFW. "Nothing is more important to international travelers than having quick, easy and secure entrance and exit to and from the airport. Every inch of Terminal D was designed to handle big planes with large numbers of passengers -- and to make it all as convenient as possible."

The new terminal opens as DFW continues to set new records for international passengers. The Airport will handle more than 5.6 million passengers in 2005 to 38 international destinations -- both new records for DFW. DFW is experiencing a robust 10-percent increase in international travelers from 2004's 5.1 million figure -- which was also a new record. And DFW continues to set records for its international cargo lift -- particularly to Asia.

"All of this bodes well for the A380 and DFW is ready," says Crites.

International Terminal D & the A380

-- The two-deck, 555-seat Airbus A380 passenger plane has a range of up
to 8,000 nautical miles, allowing it to fly nonstop between Europe and
Asia.

-- The three-deck-high, long-range freighter version, the A380F, will
be able to carry up to 152 tons of cargo over distances of up to 5,600
nautical miles.

-- The plane is 239 feet long and has a wingspan of 262 feet.

-- The airliner was unveiled at the Paris Air Show earlier this year.

-- First passenger operations for the Airbus A380 are scheduled to begin
in 2006 with Singapore Airlines.

-- FedEx and UPS have ordered freighter versions.

About DFW International Airport

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest, offering nearly 2,000 flights per day and serving 57 million passengers a year. DFW International Airport provides non-stop service to 130 domestic and 38 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the many services provided at DFW International Airport, log on to http://www.dfwairport.com .


Source: DFW International Airport

[Fabb]

Plane makers offer new cabin amenities, from showers to shops

By Frank Greve

Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - Coming soon to an airport near you: an airliner with a window in the lavatory.

Boeing plans to offer restrooms with views as standard equipment on its new 787 airliners. It's part of a much larger industrywide competition to woo travelers - or at least the carriers that buy planes - with new cabin amenities that sizzle.

"We're making flying fun again," said Boeing spokeswoman Mary Hanson.

The big concept is "to allow you to emotionally leave the highway, parking lot and security experiences behind you" and really enjoy the flight, said R. Klaus Brauer, chief designer of the 787's interior, in a recent Boeing Web site chat.

The showiest dog in this race is Airbus' A380, the huge new double-decker that seats 550 and offers unheard-of amenities. Among the carrier's options are showers, on-board massage stations, stand-up bars, duty-free shops - even a sort of flat-panel waterfall.

Boeing's smaller 787 Dreamliners compete with subtler enticements. A ventilation system that delivers higher cabin humidity, for example, is meant to reduce eye and nose dryness. At the same time, higher cabin pressure will make travelers feel like they're flying at a relatively comfortable 6,000 feet, rather than 8,000 as in current planes.

Windows with variable tint, as in some sunglass lenses, will keep glare outside. Inside, a fancy main cabin lighting system, its hues progressing from sunrise to sunset and beyond, will ease passengers' time-zone transitions. To make the plane seem more spacious, soft ceiling-panel lighting will create skylike bluish vagueness overhead.

Both the Boeing 787, which will carry 220 to 300 passengers, and the Airbus A380 have slightly wider seats and aisles than their predecessors.

Embraer, the Brazilian maker of popular regional jets, offers lots more cabin headroom in its popular new regional jet, thanks to a "double-bubble" design. The plane's fuselage, in cross-section, looks like a figure eight in which the upper circle absorbs most of the lower circle. The happy result is 6 feet 7 inches of aisle headroom versus the paper-towel-tube crawlspace of most regional jets.

Don't look for much more economy-class legroom anywhere, however. Airlines decide how seats are spaced and every inch above the minimum of about 30 costs them money. For that matter, Boeing's Brauer isn't merely an interior designer. According to Boeing's Web site, he also holds patents "governing mathematical processes for optimizing the seat configurations of commercial airplanes."

US Airways and regional carriers for United and Delta already fly 70-seat versions of Embraer's new plane; Air Canada flies a slightly stretched one, and Jet Blue and Air Canada will take delivery on 100-seat models later this year.

Boeing's 787 is due to start flying in 2007. Among U.S. carriers who've ordered 787s are Continental, Northwest and Primaris, a new coast-to-coast airline for business travelers.

Singapore Airlines is set to take the first Airbus A380 delivery in the fourth quarter of 2006. Other buyers include Korean Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, Virgin Atlantic and Quantas.

[tayser]

Quantas :haha: