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Nobody Wants the A380 and That’s Breeding Creativity
There isn’t anything quite like the A380. The airplane is enormous, and frankly, it is a true delight to fly (as a passenger, at least). The cabin design feels spacious, you can barely hear any engine noise, and it handles turbulence well. From an airline perspective, however, it’s the economics that matter most. And in most cases, the A380 just doesn’t work. (crankyflier.com) さらに...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
i would assume some will go to China where there are a few now for higher density routes?
China Southern is the only Chinese airline to buy them and the original plan did not work out, that being Beijing to Hong Kong. They are trying to use them to LA Sydney and seasonally to AMS. Having seen the struggles of CZ, it is doubtful any more will put their toe in the water.
Besides the A380 creating such great successes for Boeing's 777 and 787 in the wide-body market, it also caused one of their biggest disasters the 747-8. I love the 747 and there will probably never be such an elegant aircraft ever built again. However, Boeing should have spent their time, money, and resources on a real replacement for the 757, or at least an updated version of the 757. Instead Boeing didn't believe their own forecast and built the 747-8. The 737 is another great Boeing aircraft but the one thing it will never truly be able to do it replace the 757.
I would think that the death of the 380 would rekindle the 478 a bit...EK wants a reengined 380, but isn't that what the 478 basically is? A few less seats, but more efficient power plants, cheaper, fits into more airports, has a good chunk more range and future. I'd think that there might be some crossover in parts/maintenance with the 77x as well. Throw a shower in that sucker and you have EK's big daddy of the future. Someone may know the answer to this more than I, but doesn't EK configure their ac with a large flight crew 'box' for food, rest, etc..? I'd think with the additional sq footage below in the 478's cargo-hold , that you could utilize that space in order to get some more seats in...getting it closer to the 380 capacity, but less cost per mile. And most importantly...you would be replacing the ugliest airliner of all time with the most beautiful bird ever built!!!!!
Necessity creates opinion. Fly cattle class and they are noisy, uncomfortable (Even compared to an older 777) and unless you are flying Lufthansa which moves you butt ultra fast out that door, it takes forever to get moving. Both competitors Boeing and Airbus have moved on to the big twins while it seems only the Arab airlines are still interested in A380's.
Boeing was right and the long range twin that bypass congested hubs and secondary flights will eventually put the A-380 on the ropes. Conversion to freighters of existing models would have to overcome the poor economics relative to the twin, especially the 777F. Here is a good article explaining why we are unlikely to see passenger to freight conversions:
https://www.quora.com/Why-isnt-there-a-cargo-version-of-the-Airbus-A380
https://www.quora.com/Why-isnt-there-a-cargo-version-of-the-Airbus-A380