Pain

[c9]

As neat as it might be, I don't think I could handle the crowds on a flight on an Airbus A380.



Check out the coach section... 3 seats at each window, and four more in the middle... gah.

Update: For comparison, here's a typical 747 seating layout, with 416 passengers in 3 classes.

Comments

[primary-suspect.livejournal.com]

I don't think the A380 is going to be a huge seller so there is a good chance none of us will ever fly on one unless we go out of our way...

[c9.livejournal.com]

I agree, I think it's going to be a flop. Pearson is able to handle them, but only Pacific-Rim and Chinese airlines are going to use them much, methinks.

What's really scary is the idea that some airlines may actually be able to use them on really high-density routes, and run them as completely coach (no first class), with over 800 seats.

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

I disagree. You won't see them in the US/Canada, but if you fly to Asia you're going to see them for sure.

[c9.livejournal.com]

What I'm curious about is which European airlines will actually go for them. They're heavily invested in Airbus, but there aren't as many routes that really need that density. Maybe they'll each just buy a couple for show.

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

I've heard rumour they want them for two types of routes:

Europe to India
Europe to SE Asia/Australia

I predict Emirates will go back on their word and do some 2-class ones. They could make a killing shuttling workers from Pakistan/India to the middle east with these things.

[jamincan.livejournal.com]

Lufthansa, Virgin and Air France for starters.

So far those airlines that have ordered the A380:
Emirates: 43 (2 cargo)
Korean Air: 5
Qatar Airways: 2
Virgin Atlantic: 6
Lufthansa: 15
Malaysian Airlines: 6
Air France: 10
China Southern: 5
Qantas: 12
Etihad: 4
Thai Airways: 6
---
FedEx: 10
UPS: 10
ILFC (leasing company): 10 (5 cargo)

In addition, many of these airlines have options for several more

[jamincan.livejournal.com]

Oops, add 10 for Singapore Airlines as well.