A380 Photos

BBC News has some photos of the A380 pre-production model:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3893885.stm

Very nice!

I wonder what Virgin is going to do for configuration of the new Airbus. I mean that you know Virgin is going to do something unique, something special, I wonder what it is going to be? A gym, a shower room, a gaming room, a hotel-style cabins for Upper? We will just have to wait and see...

If anyone has any ideas or updates...POST!

[HighFlyer]

I wrote to Virgin and mentioned to them about having these 'rooms' on board for First class/Upper pax. I mentioned that you could have the small cabins with doors, which SRB has mentioned being keen on before. Virgin replied saying that they were considering it. I guess time will tell butits really a case of profit isnt it?

Do you mean similar to Emirates new 1st class cabin?

It would be intersting to see VS' take on the theme!

[HighFlyer]

yep, exactly or better!

I read that SRB wanted to put double beds on aircraft so i wrote to VS and said that with the A380 he could do something amazing like that. I queried about designing cabins that were either like Emirates new ones, or going one better and having small rooms for one or two people, you could charge the sky for those. I envisaged a small cabin with a door, a large seat that turns into a double bed, with a nice large TV with Vport built in somewhere. Not sure how they would spilt the fares for one or two pax, maybe X for one person and XX minus a small amount for two.

I like the idea of complete privacy, the FAs can be notified if you want to be left alone which would be good for a nights sleep.

I highlighted the fact that UCS wasnt too good for couples travelling and these 'rooms' would be fantastic as you could market them at couples or the business individual.

Virgin were interested in my idea and passed it on to marketing but in all honesty i am sure that the profit monster will get there first.

quote:which would be good for a nights sleep.

Shouldn't that be "sleep"...

OK mind out of the gutter now.

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
I envisaged a small cabin with a door, a large seat that turns into a double bed, with a nice large TV with Vport built in somewhere.

Oh my - anyone for the LAS Debauchery Express?

Cheers

Michael

quote:Originally posted by TJ
BBC News has some photos of the A380 pre-production model:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/3893885.stm

If you go to A380 Navigator you can follow the build of the aircraft and there on build no2 the first to fly

[Bazz]

Interesting site pegitt, thanks for the link.

Nice pic of the A380 in VAA colours too!

When do you think that the first Airbus will go into service...as in what month?

Thanks for the input...

Svenska

ISTR that the first A380 isn't due in the air in 2006, and VS' first one isn't due til 2008. Far too early to tell which month I think

Cheers

Michael

The first test flight isnt due till early 2005 and testing will last for a year there will be around 4 test aircraft the first will not fly and be distroid by the end of the year to test max loads the first aircraft to enter service will be early part of 2006.

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
yep, exactly or better!

I like the idea of complete privacy, the FAs can be notified if you want to be left alone which would be good for a nights sleep.

I wonder if that would pose a security issue? FA's can see all passengers right now but with privacy cabins that would not be the case.

just a quote fron the airbus site

quote: Virgin is due to become the first European operator of the A380 in July 2006 when the first of six aircraft ordered is delivered. It will also be the first airline to operate the A380 on the North Atlantic route from London to New York. It will follow this by flying the A380 on its routes from London to Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with Tokyo, Johannesburg and Washington DC also among destinations being considered.

it is dated nov 25 so dont hold me to it

Its a real shame VS pushed back its A380's till 2008, when we were getting them in '06 it didn't seem that long to wait to try them, now 2008 seems a life time.

I suppose what ever VS are planning it must be worth the 2 yr wait i can't wait to find out what we are going to get. When will the info leak???

quote:When will the info leak???

Just as soon as we manage to get declansmith drunk!

quote:Originally posted by pegitt
it is dated nov 25 so dont hold me to it

Yeah, the news of the delays broke in May this year:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3721511.stm
http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1201
http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1215

Though there's nothing official on the VS or Airbus sites

Cheers

Michael

[mitchja]

I guess I can see why VS have delayed their launch of the A380 - dont think they want the new world's biggest state-of-the-art A/C if they cannot do anything with it or the infrastructure is not in place to handle it by 2006 [?]

Regards