The beauty of this plane is its size so the economics are economy of scale, ok thee will be a need to process a lot of people but how many 747's are coming and going at any one time? Lots so not a huge change. There was a huge investment when the 747 came along but it was amortized over a long period so would not be reflected in ticket prices[msncool]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I read that, as the plane is a double decker, it is intended passengers will embark/disembark on 2 levels.
There is some dispute on who will pay to build this expensive facility at the airports. This, at least initially, will restrict the airports it can operate from; this applies in particular to America. Would it have been different if the plane had been manufactured by Boeing I ask myself.
[/quote]
On news this morning that Heathrow is having to spend £450 million for facilities to accomodate this plane.
How many other airports will spend that sort of money? and for a European plane at that!
[/quote]
Thtas why they are building Terminal 5!
even though it's bigger than a jumbo it's more economical to run as it will be carrying more passengers, so that should keep the price down. ( I worked at Airbus a couple of years ago so had to hear a lot of hype)
also it is capable of carrying a 1000 people in theory but according to Virgin they are going to stick to about 600,a lot of that'll be taken up by premier class but it does sound like there will be more room for all[msnsmile2]
benfilo
See this report -
As reported by News From Abroad, the huge jet is being promoted as the future of air travel, with an Airbus spokesman describing the plane as “the largest, newest, best and most important aircraft in our history”.
According to The Independent newspaper, Airbus claims the plane “will fly more people over a greater distance in greater comfort, causing less pollution and at a lower cost than any aircraft on the planet”.
The plane’s standard configuration, the newspaper reports, will allow 555 seats in three classes, as well as “private cabins, showers, boutique shops, and even gyms, fountains and casinos”.
The newspaper points out, however, that despite the huge ceremony planned for tomorrow, the plane has not even had its first test flight yet – that will come in March - and that airports around the world will have to make alterations costing millions of pounds in order to accommodate the jet.
Critics point out other potential weaknesses; Gordon Bethune, chief executive of Continental Airlines, is quoted as saying: “What’s in it for me to sit on an airplane with 500 other people, wait for my bags with 500 other people, check in with 500 other people?”
The guy has a point, can you imagine what it would be like at immigration and baggage[msneek]
I cant see the problem with it if its config is for 500 seats, the latest 747 has 490 in a 3 class config, but if they use it to its full capacity of 800-900 then I can see the potential probelms with bags and imigration etc
As the avaition expert on ITV news said all these extras like bars gyms casinos etc are unlikely to be on all aircraft, they may have one or two extra spaces but I honestly feel that in a few years most of them will be full to the brim as most airlines will not be able to resist the potential revenue that filling it will provide![msnscared]
Well it all sounds wonderful doesn't it but Sky News is saying that its possible that all these wonderful extras ie gym, casinos, cinemas etc. may only be available to first class passengers only!! So how many of us does that effect then? Can't be fair if that's the case. There's not that many first class seats on an airline so how could they justify in only letting them use the facilities
Ann-Marie
Think of it as two planes in one. Top deck has dedicated facilities and bottom deck has dedicated facilities & I hope the baggage is flowed too. Be a bit of a problem if half the family were on the top deck and all the passports were with mum on the lower deck.
Possible passenger capacity.........
PASSENGERS:
(A380-700) 481 in three classes, 608 in one class
(A380-800) 555 in three classes, 840 in one class
(A380-900) 656 in three classes, 840 in one class
[msnscared]
Having seen the new 'plane today on the TV I have to say that one of the things I might ask Richard Branson to consider is a way to keep the toilets clean - all the Virgin planes have been quite grubby, with a variety of detritus under seats, in seat pockets, inside the tray holders on the arms, and as for looking under the tray which you eat your food off, well just don't go there!
On our last flight on December 31st from Miami the toilets were stinking soon after take off, and in the corner of one was what looked decidedly like vomit. In fact, both my son and my husband were taken ill with a really nasty tummy bug afterwards, makes you wonder.
Can you imagine the loos on a 'plane this size??
In fact, the cleanest loos we have encountered were on a charter flight, one of those airbuses with the loos downstairs, with a little seating area, there was always a member of staff on duty and they cleaned the loos regularly.
And as someone had already said, I bet the cattle class will not be allowed to get up and sample the delights of the saunas, showers, bars and shops. Bet it will still be 'chicken or beef' and a tiny plastic (is it just me or are they getting smaller each time?) glass full of ice and not much else!
But don't get me on the subject of the beautiful looking showers shown on the TV - may not be so nice after 100 passengers or more have used them during the flight, can't imagine the Virgin girls getting down on their hands and knees to scrub them after each customer!
[msnwink]
ellie
I also used to criticise the condition of most plane loos - mind you still do. But I once spoke to a man on the Qantas staff and he told me that most airlines try to do their best as far as cleanliness and sanitation go, with particular reference to the toilets. They are aware that other than a poor safety record, nothing can hurt a carrier's reputation like dirty planes. But he said that the condition of loos and similar passenger areas is almost always reflected by the type of passengers they carry, some sectors being better than others. There is a lot of truth in this; most aircraft toilets are sparkling clean before a long haul flight, but filthy on arrival. I don't think everyone follows the motto of "leave the toilet in the same condition as you would like to find it".
Nostromo
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