The Airbus A380 - Love it or hate it, it's one truly amazing feat of engineering.
Conceived into an industry full of doubts, this aircraft has proven itself time and time again on the high density routes around the world. Even with the current trend of fuel efficient twin engined aircraft in full swing, this aircraft is proving to be the right choice, and flagship aircraft for several airlines around the world.
In total there are 317 firm orders for the passenger aircraft across 18 customers - To June 2015, 173 of these have been delivered. Originally, an A380 freighter was on the cards and 27 orders were placed but when the programme was cancelled, 20 orders were scraped and 7 were converted to the passenger type.
Emirates airlines lead the way with the A380, and as at January 2015 they had 44.8% of the total available A380 seating capacity. Singapore Airlines coming in2nd with 11.9% and Qantas 3rd with 6.6%.
In total there are 317 firm orders for the passenger aircraft across 18 customers - To June 2015, 173 of these have been delivered. Originally, an A380 freighter was on the cards and 27 orders were placed but when the programme was cancelled, 20 orders were scraped and 7 were converted to the passenger type.
Emirates airlines lead the way with the A380, and as at January 2015 they had 44.8% of the total available A380 seating capacity. Singapore Airlines coming in2nd with 11.9% and Qantas 3rd with 6.6%.
2015 has been a very fortunate year for A380 enthusiasts in Sydney. With 3 airlines adding YSSY to the occasional, and long term roster for these enormous beasts, bringing to the total to 6 different airlines flying their Supers into YSSY. (Qantas - Singapore Airlines - Emirates - Malaysian Airlines - Korean Airlines - Etihad)
Emirates
In 2015, Emirates Airlines received 15 A380's, and they are on track to receive another 21 in 2016. In total, the airline has a staggering 72 currently with an average age of 3.4 years, and many more due for delivery in the coming years. Emirates are quite unique in their approach with the utilisation of this aircraft, outstripping the nearest rivals in terms of quantity and drive to enhance and stretch the A380 into the 900 series. (not yet - if ever in production)
Emirates send their A380's across the globe, with a complex selection of long and short haul routes that's ever expanding. They have already announced 3 new routes for 2016, with Taipei, Prague and Birmingham being added to the list.
Emirates have multiple seating configurations across their A380 fleet.
Emirates send their A380's across the globe, with a complex selection of long and short haul routes that's ever expanding. They have already announced 3 new routes for 2016, with Taipei, Prague and Birmingham being added to the list.
Emirates have multiple seating configurations across their A380 fleet.
Photo: EK413 arriving from Auckland - December 26th, 2015
Eithad
Etihad are relatively new to the A380, receiving their first on 15th of December 2014. They currently have a fleet of 5, with 3 more on order. A6-APE seen below was delivered most recently, in October 2015. Etihad currently fly the A380 to London (twice Daily), New York and Sydney. In 2016, Mumbai and Melbourne will be added to the list as they receive more aircraft. This aircraft is bar-none my favourite Livery on any aircraft - a stunner.
Etihad use the A380 in a 4 class configuration, with:
Economy - 417
Business - 70
First Class - 9
The Residence - 2 (A 5 star experience with your own living room, bedroom and bathroom to help sooth those long hours in the air - my kind of paradise!)
Photo: EY454 arriving at sunset - December 26th, 2015
Malaysia Airlines
MH received its first A380 in May 2012, and the love for these aircraft lasted only 3 years, with the airlines openly putting its entire fleet of A380's up for immediate Sale or Lease in early 2015 along with several other aircraft. This is part of a drastic course of action to turn around the airlines flagging financial performance. Several low performing routes around the globe were also cut (most notably the KUL - BNE route for Aussie spotters).
The remaining MH A380's are solely used on the KUL-LHR route after the KUL-CDG route was dropped in August. Fortunately for Sydney spotters (like myself), this has seen MH swap the A380 out for the usual A330 route to Sydney a few times so far in 2015, most recently on December 19.
The airlines uses the A380 in a 3 class configuration:
420 Economy
66 Business
8 First Class
Korean Airlines
KE started commercial service with the A380 in June 2011, with routes to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo (all aircraft proving routes). Now the airline uses the A380 on routes to Atlanta, LAX, New York, Paris and currently to Sydney during the peak season.
In total, the airline has 10 A380's on the books and they have gone with the lowest density seating of any A380 carrier and the first to dedicate the entire upper deck to Business class.
A mere 407 seats in a 3 class configuration:
301 Economy
94 Business
12 First class
Photo: KE121 arriving at sunrise - December 24th, 2015
Qantas
Qantas went ahead with its A380 orders amidst financial turmoil and hardship, with the belief from the CEO Alan Joyce that this aircraft would be the flagship Qantas needed to turn around years of tough times. After a few more years of stagnant growth and more than a few publicity nightmares with this aircraft type, and a bit of well thought out tinkering with the schedules, the A380 has proven Joyce correct with the company now in a strong position. In November 2015, the airlines International wing, grew by 9% over the previous month with higher aircraft utilisation, especially to the Asian markets who are flocking to Australia for the summer season. The A380 is integral for Qantas to continue growth through the coming years.
QF has 12 A380's in the fleet using Sydney as the main hub for its destinations which include Hong Kong, LAX, Dallas and London via Dubai.
The airline uses the A380 in the following 4 class seating configuration:
Economy 371
Premium Economy 35
Business 64
First Class 14
QF has 12 A380's in the fleet using Sydney as the main hub for its destinations which include Hong Kong, LAX, Dallas and London via Dubai.
The airline uses the A380 in the following 4 class seating configuration:
Economy 371
Premium Economy 35
Business 64
First Class 14
Singapore Airlines
SQ was the launch customer for the A380, receiving it's first in October 2007. They currently have 19 aircraft of this type, with another 5 on order with Airbus. SQ use the A380 on plenty of long haul and short haul routes around the globe, with the second most expansive network to Emirates. Such destinations include: Sydney, Auckland, Frankfurt, London, Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo.
SQ use the A380 in the following seating configuration:
Economy 399
Business 60
First Class 12
Photo: SQ221 arriving in Sydney with the SG50 livery - December 24th, 2015
Lush
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