AIRBUS | A380 News & Discussion

[Oasis-Bangkok]

Thai Airways opting for simpler A380 design

(Bangkok Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- SGPJF | charts | news | PowerRating -- There won't be any luxurious private suites with real beds and huge flat-screen televisions or bench-sized business-class seats on Thai Airways International's future Airbus A380 megajetUnlike its archrival Singapore Airlines (SIA), which has extravagantly fitted its first gigantic double-decker aircraft and upgraded inflight offerings, THAI is adopting a more tame approach for its fleet of six A380s.
"We have a different positioning from SIA. Ours is based on an operating philosophy that largely maximises on the bottom line economics; the plane's ability to generate revenue,"said Pandit Chanapai, who assumed the post of executive vice-president in charge of commercial affairs at THAI on Oct 1.

While SIA is capitalising on the novelty of the superjumbo as a premium product to herald "a new chapter in the history of aviation," the Thai national carrier will merely use its mammoth jets to replace its retiring Boeing 747 jumbos.

THAI's decision to buy the world's largest civil aircraft reflects a strategy based on passenger profiles, revenue earnings and a realistic view of the market, says the company.

"The bulk of our passengers are tourists (who do not travel on first and business class)," Mr Pandit said in an interview. Economy-class passengers contribute about 80 percent of THAI's revenues, which are expected to reach 168 billion baht for the year ending on Sept 30, he said.

"Space and weight taken up by the suites and business-class seats in an aircraft could well be utilised for the money-spinning economy class in our case," he told the Bangkok Post.

At a price tag of about US$300 million for each A380, THAI needs to be extremely cautious on how to utilise these aircraft to ensure that they provide a good return on investment, he added.

THAI's A380s are scheduled to be delivered to the airline in two batches of three aircraft in October 2010 and June 2011, 18 months behind schedule due to production problems at the European plane maker, Airbus.

THAI is adopting a more standard configuration, a three-class layout with first, business and economy sections in common with those in THAI's existing aircraft. Inflight amenities will be on par with those offered by most airlines at the launch dates.

Tentatively, each of THAI's A380s would be designed to carry 500 passengers, compared to 471 on SIA's first A380, which made its maiden flight from Singapore to Sydney last Thursday.

An A380 could accommodate up to 853 passengers in an all-economy configuration. The upper deck of THAI's A380 caters to premium passengers, with 14 first-class seats in the front section and up to 68 business-class seats behind. The 418 economy-class seats would occupy the entire lower deck.

"Our A380 concept is zeroing in on our hallmark -- passenger comfort and services with the touch of Thai-ness, without being too lavish," Mr Pandit said.

The first- and business-class seats on THAI's A380s can be turned into flat beds. By comparison, each of SIA's suites on its A380, enclosed by sliding doors, is fitted with a leather-upholstered seat, a table, a 23" flat-screen TV, laptop connections and a range of office software.

A separate bed folds up into the wall. Two of the suites can be joined to provide double beds with sheets by the French designer Givenchy.

On the upper deck of SIA's A380, the business-class seats can be turned into wide flat beds. There is also a bar area for business-class passengers. The economy class area on both decks boasts more leg and knee room.

While the basic principles on the configuration and interior fitting have largely been agreed on, THAI would have to decide on the details over the next three to six months, said Mr Pandit.

What is definite is that all the airline's A380s would be flying on lucrative long-haul intercontinental routes, from Bangkok to London, Frankfurt and Paris. These routes are currently served by Boeing 737-400s.

"We still have time to fine-tune our A380 strategy," Mr Pandit said.

Ticket prices on THAI's A380s could be higher than on other aircraft that fly the same routes as part of the company's production differentiation plan. An economy class seat on the A380 could cost 5-8 percent more than the standard rate, he said.

[Oasis-Bangkok]

[Oasis-Bangkok]

Big size

[RafflesCity]

Wallpapers - http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_U.../downloads.jsp

[AdamChobits]

Amazing European bird.

[redbaron_012]

Don't think the USA would use the A380 as Airforce One.......they would stick with Boeing!

[chornedsnorkack]

Originally Posted by WonderlandPark

The last one will NEVER happen, but Airbus is free to dream.

Actually, vice versa!

US AF asked to buy 3 VIP A380 planes, and Airbus refused to sell.

[icracked]

Originally Posted by Tri-ring

To be fair both JAL and ANA owns Airbus planes, consisting of 11 percent of JAL's fleet of it's 166 planes owned.(Boeing comprises of 61%)
Was not able to find break down of ANA's fleet.

I also like to note that alot of Airbus conponents are from Japan as well.

Actually Boeing consist of about 75-76% of JAL's and ANA fleet and in the future it looks like that number will only increased. Like I said before, Japanese/Indonesian airliners tend to favor buying Boeing. Garuda Indonesia for exampled ordered 70 Boeing planes but only ordered 3 airbuses while Indonesia's Lion Air ordered over 178 Boeing planes and 0 Airbuses.

[cubanito92]

does any one know if Marsans are finally buying the airplane?? they said they was going to buy 4, two for aerolineas argentinas, and two for air comet, any information about that?

[ddes]

Originally Posted by icracked

Actually Boeing consist of about 75-76% of JAL's and ANA fleet and in the future it looks like that number will only increased. Like I said before, Japanese/Indonesian airliners tend to favor buying Boeing. Garuda Indonesia for exampled ordered 70 Boeing planes but only ordered 3 airbuses while Indonesia's Lion Air ordered over 178 Boeing planes and 0 Airbuses.

Yes, both countries tend to favor Boeing aircraft but their reasons couldn't be more different.

Japan's heavy industries are heavily involved in the design, and for some, the manufacturing of Boeing aircraft like the 777 and 787 so it's only natural Japan favors Boeing aircraft. But like any decision-making in aircraft purchasing, Japanese airlines also do look at both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Japan Airlines has before mentioned that it believes the A350 is a better replacement for its B777s. ANA was rumored to have almost purchased A380s.

But for Indonesia, it's more political. The EU has largely banned Indonesian carriers flying into Europe for much of the early 21st Century and I don't expect Indonesians would likely take that easily by buying EU-made planes.

[Oasis-Bangkok]

[Oasis-Bangkok]

Friday May 15, 2009

SIA sticks to Airbus A380 deliveries despite crisis

SINGAPORE (AFP) – Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed it will take delivery of five Airbus A380 super jumbos this year despite a 92 percent fall in fourth quarter net profit blamed on the global downturn.

"We want the planes to come in and to continue with our policy of fleet renewal," said company chief executive Chew Choon Seng.

"We are a long-term player here. Our strategies are long-term so the policy of operating a young, modern fleet is an ongoing one. It isn't one that you turn on or off according to the whims and fancies of the business cycle."

SIA said Thursday that its fourth quarter net profit dived 92 percent year on year to 41.9 million Singapore dollars (28.5 million US) as the global slump hit passenger and cargo demand.

[Oasis-Bangkok]

[Marek.kvackaj]

Originally Posted by chornedsnorkack

Actually, vice versa!

US AF asked to buy 3 VIP A380 planes, and Airbus refused to sell.

this is plain stupid...back with info

for Airbus that will be HUGE advertisment if USA president gonna fly with em

[huahaha]

haha.. i agree..

[dl3000]

The government would always "buy american" if it came to planes like Air Force One. Itll be a 747 still.

[Burberry]

US goverment will never change Boeing for Airbus, like the British Airways 380.

[chornedsnorkack]

Originally Posted by Marek.kvackaj

this is plain stupid...back with info

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...placement.html

[napoleon]

Emirates to launch A380 flights to Bangkok on June 1st

Wednesday 20 May 2009


Emirates hopes that more holidaymakers will be booking flights to Bangkok from Dubai following the Thai government's decision to withdraw tourist visa application fees until June 4th.

The airline will launch its A380 service to the Thai capital on June 1st, with the country's tourism officials hoping for increased numbers of Middle Eastern visitors.

Khalid bel Jaflah, Emirates' vice president of commercial operations, said that Bangkok is a "very popular" destination.

"The city is a magical oriental metropolis containing a splendid heritage of culture, art, and architecture that thrive amongst the new high-rise shopping and entertainment centres," he commented.

Passengers travelling on Emirates' new route will benefit from a lounge area featuring a bar with a wide selection of drinks.

The A380 aircraft consists of 399 economy class seats, 76 business class seats and 14 first class seats, with the upper deck designated for premium class passengers.

Emirates recently announced that it planned to introduce an additional 12 flights a week to key Middle Eastern destinations such as Kuwait, Amman, Damascus, Sanaa and Doha.

[napoleon]

Emirates offer special fairs for A380

By The Nation May 20, 2009


Emirates is offering promotions for its Dubai-Bangkok route to mark the world's first Airbus A380 operation to Bangkok.


Until June 20, economy-class fare to Dubai is Bt11,155 while the business class fare at Bt27,645. For those travelling onward to the USA (New York, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles), the fares start from Bt36,830. The promotion is valid for travel by June 30. The special fares are available only to online booking at www.emirates.com/th.


Khalid Bardan, Emirates' Area Manager Thailand and Indochina, said "Dubai is a very popular destination for Thai business and leisure travellers. What better way to travel to this popular hotspot than on Emirates' new A380 which has received glowing reviews from global media and trade circles. I am confident our A380 celebratory offers will be enthusiastically welcomed by Thai travellers."