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A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

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Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#121

Post by selectodude »

bgorman wrote: post #80
bluGill wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unlikely. Those who really want to get to Stockholm will not get on the NYC to London plane if they can get a direct plane. Substitute ALL other cities in Europe for Stockholm and a fair number of people are not on that plane. Those who do want to get from NYC to London have different schedules, some want to take the 5am flight and get to London in the afternoon, some want to get to the airport at a normal time and s…

British Airways recently added London-Chicago on a a380.

They killed their 747 and replaced it with an A380. Always had 2-3 flights per day ORD-LHR.

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#122

Post by FabHK »

anyfoo wrote: post #105
mikeash wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess I’m too busy trying to cope with squeezing into the seats and finding something to stave off boredom to notice humidity. How does increased cabin pressure make for increased comfort? Once your ears equalize, the only difference should be less oxygen available, which I’d think would make you feel better (albeit stupider).

Not really your main point, but I find it interesting that you mention staving of boredom, while for me it's hard to imagine getting bored on a plane. For me, being on a plane is one of the few moments where I essentially have unconditional free time. I use it to listen to music, read, watch videos, even play videogames, or do any of various other things on my laptop. (And that's not counting the moments where I'm in…

Agreed, and even on 12+ hour flights I never manage to even begin all the books, magazines, movies, newspapers I’ve brought (let alone finish them).

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#123

Post by danepowell »

Someone1234 wrote: post #3

I totally understand why big aircraft (A380, 747, etc) are disappearing commercially but I will miss them. Flying in a larger aircraft makes one feel less like cargo, in particularly for airlines that offer places to stretch your legs (e.g. "bar" seating, showers, staircases, etc). I was always kind of secretly hoping large blimps would return. And we'd get to choose between 7 hours in a tiny metal tube with the seat…

I love the A380 as an aerospace enthusiast, but absolutely despise it as a passenger. In my experience (with Lufthansa), the boarding process is chaotic and takes forever, the seat pitch is minimal in economy, and never have I felt more like cattle than when sharing the situation with 700 other passengers.

I'm curious how your experience as a passenger sounds so different from mine.

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#124

Post by joezydeco »

ak217 wrote: post #47
Someone1234 wrote: post #3

I totally understand why big aircraft (A380, 747, etc) are disappearing commercially but I will miss them. Flying in a larger aircraft makes one feel less like cargo, in particularly for airlines that offer places to stretch your legs (e.g. "bar" seating, showers, staircases, etc). I was always kind of secretly hoping large blimps would return. And we'd get to choose between 7 hours in a tiny metal tube with the seat…

I won't miss the A380. I will miss the 747 because of how uniquely majestic it looks. https://www.airliners.net/photo/China-Airlines/Boeing-747-40...

You need to visit the Lufthansa 747-200 that's on display at the Technik Museum in Speyer, Germany:

http://www.rodbearden.com/Av13/Speyer/Boeing%20747-200%20D-A...

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#125

Post by [deleted] »

danepowell wrote: post #123
Someone1234 wrote: post #3

I totally understand why big aircraft (A380, 747, etc) are disappearing commercially but I will miss them. Flying in a larger aircraft makes one feel less like cargo, in particularly for airlines that offer places to stretch your legs (e.g. "bar" seating, showers, staircases, etc). I was always kind of secretly hoping large blimps would return. And we'd get to choose between 7 hours in a tiny metal tube with the seat…

I love the A380 as an aerospace enthusiast, but absolutely despise it as a passenger. In my experience (with Lufthansa), the boarding process is chaotic and takes forever, the seat pitch is minimal in economy, and never have I felt more like cattle than when sharing the situation with 700 other passengers. I'm curious how your experience as a passenger sounds so different from mine.

[deleted]

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#126

Post by ggm »

FabHK wrote: post #96
ak217 wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I won't miss the A380. I will miss the 747 because of how uniquely majestic it looks. https://www.airliners.net/photo/China-Airlines/Boeing-747-40...

The A380 is not quite the beauty from the outside, but I found the pax comfort unparalleled, and that matters more to me than how it looks, frankly.

This. I, and almost every regular longhaul international flyer I see on comments/forums online say its the favourite experience inside the shell.

The 350 and the 777x may rank alongside. The 787 is only good in superior classes.

The 380 is by far the smoothest, quietest experience in the air for >10h flights.

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#127

Post by ggm »

I think Airbus can survive this. The other aircraft are selling well. If they have to write down sunk cost it won't sink the company. Boeing has basically had to walk from the 747 and even the presidential flight will be using otherwise available shells (I believe)

QANTAS didn't survey its passengers to make this decision. Had they asked the recurring business flyer, I suspect the signal would have been different, even if the economic decision was to walk.

I am a frequent QANTAS passenger. I know from all my experiences and peers discussions, we prefer the 380 over almost any shell QANTAS flies.

I flew the original QANTAS 747 longhauls. They were fine for their day. They are significantly behind the ball compared to the 380 experience. The 350 will be a fine plane. the 787 is a compromised experience in the air.

(btw, it is QANTAS not Quantas: Its an Acronym)

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#128

Post by tricolon »

ggm wrote: post #127

I think Airbus can survive this. The other aircraft are selling well. If they have to write down sunk cost it won't sink the company. Boeing has basically had to walk from the 747 and even the presidential flight will be using otherwise available shells (I believe) QANTAS didn't survey its passengers to make this decision. Had they asked the recurring business flyer, I suspect the signal would have been different, ev…

(It doesn't seem like it's an acronym anymore: http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/history/global/en)

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#129

Post by sitepodmatt »

FabHK wrote: post #99
woadwarrior01 wrote: post #14

I got upgraded from business class to first class on an Emirates A380 flight from Dubai to London a couple of years ago. Showering mid-flight was an experience I'd never forget! Especially, the gauge in the shower which goes down while the water's running (Lasted about 8 minutes, IIRC) :)

There is (was?) a A380 flight with Emirates from Dubai via Bangkok to Hong Kong, and back, and you could buy tix for that last segment BKK–HKG for about 200 USD, or 300 USD business, or 400 USD first. Cheapest way to get a shower at 35k feet (without miles wizardry), I’d think! (And who doesn’t want to shower on a 2 hour flight... :-)

It always been (since 2015 anyway) at least 15k thb for business which is closer to $420rtn, I dont recall seeing first being that competitive either, looking at now when first is available it is over $1000usd nowadays. It's possible I've missed a megasale though although I used to check quite regularly. Showers in first are booked on other legs, you're given a choice of times, I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't enabled for such a short leg.

Re: A380 cancellations by Qantas raise new questions about the superjumbo's future

#130

Post by ggm »

tricolon wrote: post #128
ggm wrote: post #127

I think Airbus can survive this. The other aircraft are selling well. If they have to write down sunk cost it won't sink the company. Boeing has basically had to walk from the 747 and even the presidential flight will be using otherwise available shells (I believe) QANTAS didn't survey its passengers to make this decision. Had they asked the recurring business flyer, I suspect the signal would have been different, ev…

(It doesn't seem like it's an acronym anymore: http://www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/history/global/en )

Yea. Looks like you're right. they prefer the Qantas branding, so I'm in the junkheap of history.

I'll try and learn to use Qantas not QANTAS.

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