EU-DIGEST

First executive A380 has palace potential - by Kirny J. Harrison

For the better part of a year, Airbus has been referring to the executive version of its A380 as the Flying Palace, so it seemed appropriate that the first customer should be royalty–Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud.He might have the first executive A380, but it won’t be parked in front of the palace tomorrow, or next year. In fact, said an Airbus source, his airplane will not be delivered to the completion center until 2010. And taking into consideration the scope of the interior completion project, delivery of the finished airplane is unlikely before 2012. But when it does arrive, there will be nothing like it on or above the face of the earth. With a price tag in the neighborhood of $310 million (for the green airplane) and completion estimated to be at least another $150 million, the Flying Palace will be the most expensive business jet ever, nudging half a billion dollars. Amid the shaking of heads at the price tag, more than a few observers at the contract-signing ceremony in Dubai wondered what one individual–even one worth an estimated $20 billion–could want with a private airplane that size.

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, EU, Saudi Arabia

Could the Airbus A380 Get Even Bigger? - by Deidre Woollard

The Airbus 380 is barely into its official reign as the ruler of the skies and Airbus is already planning a bigger model. Airbus says that the A380-900 would be able to carry as many as 900 passengers in a single-class configuration. The current configuration seats 500 to 800 depending on the configuration. Development on the supersized version of the already supersized jet would start in 2010, after the A380 reaches full production. Of course, Emirates is already getting their deep pockets ready to buy this plane too. Their plan is to likely outfit the plane with around 750 seats so that it would have both premium and first-class accommodations for higher-paying passengers. There is also the possibility that other carriers could go in the opposite direction, putting as many as 1,000 seats on the plane. The new plane will likely be ready in 2015.

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, EU

Singapore Airlines: 'A rocking party at 40,000 feet': Airbus' A380 first commercial flight lands

James Wallace, a veteran aerospace reporter with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, was seated beside Singapore’s chief executive Chew Choon Seng during the flight, who apparently called the take off of the massive craft "so quiet it was eerie.'' Flight International is also running a challenge for the “sexiest” picture of the A380’s first commercial flight, inviting those with pics of the massive jet to upload them on their site. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the inside, the Times Online has a good video of what Singapore has done to deck out its new double-decker jet.

Singapore Airlines, arguably the best airline in the world in customer service, apparently pulled no punches on the flight, greeting passengers at the airport lounge in Singapore at 8 a.m. local time with a string quartet before serving up a delicious in-flight brunch. According to the International Herald Tribune, “a festive atmosphere prevailed” on the flight, fueled in part by the Dom Perignon that was flowing through the aisles with the passengers who were touring the plane. Singapore also had a piano bar on the upper deck of the double-decker plane.

Labels: Airbus, Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, Airline Industry, EU, Singapore Airlines

Airbus A380: In Business at Last - check out the video clip on the new Singapore Airlines A380 at the bottom of this report - by Carol Mattack

It has private suites furnished with Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries and Givenchy linens and tableware. Even in economy class, there are USB ports at every seat and a choice of 100 movies to watch. Is the Airbus A380, as its manufacturer insists, "a whole new way of flying"? Some Singapore Airlines (SIAL.L) passengers are about to find out.Singapore is known for pampering travelers, and there's plenty of luxury on board this jet. The most distinctive feature: a first-class cabin comprising 12 suites concealed behind folding doors. Inside, the suites have either single or double beds—with Givenchy cushions and duvets—and a separate seat and table. "Customers can look forward to a flight with an unprecedented level of personal space, in their very own private cabin in the sky," says Yap Kim Wah, Singapore Airlines' senior vice-president for product and services.

Click here to watch a video on the Singapore Airlines new A380

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, EU, Singapore Airlines

Inside the Airbus mega-plane: a first-person perspective - Chris Daniels

Singapore Airlines is only letting the world's media on board its new A380 in groups of ten. In the A380's 60 business class seats, Singapore Airlines has opted for big, wide and handsome seats, quite unlike anything Ive seen in other aircraft. There's a shiny panel in front of the passenger, with pop out shelves arrayed alongside the video screen. It's the best part of the plane by far - and I think if I was saving up to fly somewhere special, I'd go for the business class rather than the rose petals and champagne "sleeper cabin" experience.

Then we're down further into economy, that part of the plane that most of us will be traveling in when we first fly on the A380. And it's not too bad at all. The bulkheads and colour schemes break up the plane into manageable sections, so you never really get the feel of being in a massive plane. Once the plane is filled with people, I can't imagine it'll seem much different flying in economy than it does now in a Boeing 747.

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry

Lufthansa studying first-ever economy sleeper cabin for their Airbus 380

There is good news for the thrifty traveler. German carrier Lufthansa AG is considering introducing an economy sleeper cabin on its long-haul flights, which would for the first time offer economy-class passengers a bed rather than a seat for a far more comfortable ride.

Labels: Airbus380, Europe, Lufthansa

For the complete report from the European Design Engineer click on this linkUse of composites in aircrafts set to grow

State-of-the-art fighter aircraft already make extensive use of composites. On the Eurofighter Typhoon, for example, over 70percent of the aircraft shell is comprised of carbon-fibre composite (CFC), namely the outer fuselage, wings (including in-board flaperons) and rudder. In addition, a significant proportion of the structural members are also constructed from CFC. The Typhoon’s radome has a complex layered glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) structure that is manufactured using high-accuracy automated processes.

Few people would predict that commercial airliners will make such extensive use of composites, though some believe that composites could well account for up to 50percent of the weight of future aircraft. Meanwhile, the AirbusA380 is said to be approximately 25percent composite by weight.

Labels: Airbus380, composites, EuroFighter

British Airways may opt for Airbus superjumbo - by David R.Jones

AIRBUS is in the running to grab an important order for its A380 superjumbo jet from under the noses of American rival aircraft manufacturer Boeing. British Airways is looking to buy about three dozen new aircraft over the next 10 years to replace its long-haul fleet of aging Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 767 planes.

There are signs the airline is warming towards the A380 and BA chief executive Willie Walsh now says he can imagine ordering 10 to 15 of the Airbus jets. A decision by the airline to opt for the A380 – the wings for which are made at Broughton in north east Wales – to meet all or some of its requirement for new aircraft would be a major boost to the superjumbo programme.The A380 is due to enter service this autumn with Singapore Airlines, and other major customers include Emirates, Qantas and Lufthansa.

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, British Airways

A380: Taking the Largest Passenger Jet for a Test Drive - by Barbara Peterson

ABOARD LUFTHANSA FLIGHT 8942, March 21 — It took a mere 16 seconds for the largest airplane in the world to lift off runway 4L at JFK International Airport. The short takeoff, which we could watch on our individual TV screens thanks to cameras positioned on the plane's exterior, confirmed that the world’s largest jetliner could use less runway than many smaller jets. It also was testimony to the force of the aircraft’s four Rolls Royce engines—which each provide about 70,000 lbs. of thrust.

“Wow—that was fast,” I heard someone mutter from a couple of rows back. And that is another feature that Airbus loves to talk about: Tthe fact you can eavesdrop on conversations is possible because the plane cabin noise level is lower than on the competition. Airbus has claimed that the cabin noise is 50-percent less than what you would experience on a 747. The plane is pressurized at about 5000 ft., around 3000 ft. lower than most commercial airliners. In theory, the lower cabin altitude will help to moderate almost every ill-effect of long-haul flying, from dehydration to jet lag.

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, Comfort, Europe, Technology, Tourism

Airbus Superjumbo 380 Takes a Lap Around America - by Leslie Wayne

The largest passenger plane in the world begins its United States tour this week. It arrived at Kennedy International Airport today, touching down gently before a pilot opened a cockpit window to wave an American flag to a crowd of reporters and photographers, including those aboard three helicopters hovering nearby. On Wednesday, the plane will take a celebratory “flight to nowhere” and circle over Manhattan. It will also stop at Dulles in Washington and O’Hare in Chicago, while another A380 flew into Los Angeles International Airport this morning.

“When you see it fly, even hardened airplane hands stop and look,” said Edmund S. Greenslet, publisher of the Airline Monitor, a trade publication. “It will be noticed. It is dramatic. To see it is to be impressed at its sheer magnitude.”

Labels: Airbus380, Aircraft Industry, Airline Industry, European Cruise Business, Innovation