What are your opinions about The A380

Hi, I just want to say, how do you feel about flying the A380? Do you think that it is too big, or fine. Will you be rushing to fly on a VS A380 flight, or rather stick with VS' 747s or A340s? Will you be on the first flight that goes, or wil you wait until the first few flights have gone and you know everything is ok! Personally, I'm looking forward, although I think I would wait until the aircraft has had many flights, then I'll be confident. On airliners.net forum, some people were saying how high up the escape chutes will be onn the Upper Deck, and people will get broken ankles! In a few years (when I'm old enough!) I'll want to be cabin crew (especially for Virgin), but after that, I'm worried (although I'm not letting that get in the way!). Also, if theres any VS onboard staff (cabin crew/flight deck crew) how do you feel about it?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

[Nottingham Nick]

In a similar way to the remarks made in the recent 'fear of flying' thread. By the time the A380 is introduced I will trust the powers that be that they have done sufficient testing and I will be hoping to try it as soon as it is active service.

The A380 is perfect for Virgin on routes where we need PAX capacity. NYC is the PERFECT example... High PAX demand and low cargo requirements... Its complete bull**** about broken ankles on the slides... Just look at the 747 do you think that anyone would use the slides if people got broken ankles using the slides from the upper deck. The 747 slides, buckle in the middle therefore slowing people down before hitting the ground...

If you belive everything you read on the internet you will not last long in life. Especially if you listen to those "I think I know everything" experts on A.Net...

I suppose that Airbus has made all the sufficient testing into it. I heard that when the 747 was launched first, many people were scared about that, but now, it goes right to the back of most peoples heads. I can't wait, but I still will want to be 100% confident everything is ok. But, Airbus should have everything tested before the first flight, so I shouldn't be scared of flying on the A380s first flight.

BTW, does anyone know who is the first customer for the A380

Kaddyuk, I suppose you're right, an airline, or manufacturer would not want people to be injured from an evacuation. I suppose people are just getting too stupid about it. Some people just lie or say things that are stupid.

Thanks anyway,

I think Singapore Airlines are the first passenger customer and Fedex are the first freighter customer.

WIth regards to fear issues, I have no problem with flying this plane - the only complaint I do have is that it looks damn ugly!

[Pete]

quote:Originally posted by kaddyuk
If you belive everything you read on the internet you will not last long in life. Especially if you listen to those "I think I know everything" experts on A.Net...

*stands and applauds*

Pix.

I was suprised when I saw the aircraft in a photo, it doesn't look too great. It will (hopefully) be better in real life, but I think that the comfort is a major factor. I wonder what they will put in the aircraft?

[mitchja]

I cannot wait to fly on the A380, especially in VS colours. Where do I sign

Regards

I think the A380 looks much better in VS' colours!

The A380 looks pretty damn scary to me, it HUGE! I think i'd rather stick to the 747 to be honest, all those people in an emergency situation???? I know all the worst possible scenarios will have been played out before it comes into service but it'd still be scary.

Also, in the back of my mind the word titanic keeps popping up but nevermind me, i'm a bit of a disaster freak!!

I thought it was scary, but I think it will have plenty of exits and space to get out. ALL aircraft, no matter whether it is as small as a car, to the size of the A380 have to conform to the rule that ALL passengers and crew must be able to easily evacuate an aircraft within 90 seconds, using just half of the emergency exits, so it should be alright, but then again, the size is a little scary, but hopefully it should be fine!

If VS do a similar UC treatment on the A380 as on the A340-600 then I won't be queuing up -- give me a 747-400 every time. I really don't want to feel like I'm on a high capacity plane!

BC

In this time of declining economies I positively welcome this continued technical advancement by the airline industry rather than cowering behind current products.
To be honest the size does not really seem to make that much difference to me, compared to an aircraft like Concorde that exceeded the speed of sound.

And as far as broken ankles are concerned, I'd rather not have to be using the emergency slides in the first place. but if I have to, I think broken ankles will be the least of my worries.

My 2d

I think the slides will be designed to ensure the least amount of injuries anyway, so, why should we worry really?

quote:Originally posted by pixuk

quote:Originally posted by kaddyuk
If you belive everything you read on the internet you will not last long in life. Especially if you listen to those "I think I know everything" experts on A.Net...

*stands and applauds*

Pix.

Thank You

The A380 will be fine... I aint saying its invincible heck I will put a tenner that we will recive it with some DD's but just accept that some powers that be say its safe... We belive them till it crashes thats the way its worked for hundreds of years... thats the way it will always work...

[Decker]

Has there been any research on what effect the safety measures on board actually have on crash results? As in are they only useful in situations where they're not necessary?

In a few years, Airbus' computer-generated images of what the A380 cabin will look like (i.e., sofas, open space galore, big lounge) will be as quaint as the international space station scenes from 2001: A Spacy Odyssey. If any airline comes close to that kind of spaciousness, it will be VS. I'll be amazed, though, if even VS configures its A380 cabin one-third as generously as envisioned by Airbus.

For a VS flight, I think if I was on an Economy ticket, then the prospect of being on an A380 will mean V:Port and slightly nicer seats, with the downside of more people to be dealt with by a limited number of staff - although I'd expect Virgin to up the number of crew members accordingly.

On a non-VS flight, I could see an Economy-class A380 flight being quite unpleasant, where customer service isn't regarded as highly.

PE tickets are bound to be hugely popular on these planes - within budget for many people with a tangible increase in the quality of the seats and essentially your own cabin with your own WC's.

UC passengers. Well, I don't for a minute think we'll see anything like the gumph spouted by Airbus but I'm sure if you turn left on the plane you'll still get treated like a God

I think that they will have about 27-28 cabin crew, that's what I heard on a.net something like that. Compared to about 1/17 on a 747-400, then safety will be very high. Don't forget, airlines have minimum numbers of cabin crew for each flight, which, whilst they can be sometimes like 5 crew down, that only effects the speed of the service, not the saftey! That's in My Opinion anyway!

Oh, you know the airbus 380, may have 55 seats, I heard somewhere that Virgin may have no more than about 520 or 530, so maybe they're not going to configure it so that it is really cramped like others might!

My guess is that, with respect to Upper Class, VS will stick with the suite approach, which requires less space than most first class sleepers. However, they will seek uniqueness in having a large bar (maybe even as big as in the airbus images), the massage area, and one other special thing. What will the last special thing be? Lots of possibilities...

-- a couple of stationary bikes and a stair climber
-- mini library (probably really mini)
-- hot tub (fat chance, but fun to consider)

What do you think the new special thing might be?

Double cabins.

If VS has gym equipment then perhaps they should have showers? I can't see that but would frankly love a couple of cross trainers to rack up some miles at 35,000 ft. It would also make me feel better about drinking the UC bar dry and ordering two meals.

BC

quote:Originally posted by BlackCat
If VS has gym equipment then perhaps they should have showers? I can't see that but would frankly love a couple of cross trainers to rack up some miles at 35,000 ft. It would also make me feel better about drinking the UC bar dry and ordering two meals.

BC

Yes, the showers are definitely not in the cards. Humidity generated by just the humans is already problematic for aircraft upkeep. Maybe a big "wash up" sink with lots of towels and liquid soap, with a posted reminder that there will be showers available at the arrivals lounge. This might really happen -- it wouldn't take up that much space. It also fits VS's marketing to the 30-50 hip professional/executive.