V-Flyer

Full story here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5366350.stm

I wonder what this will do to Virgin's A380 plans?

Darryl

Oh dear this is a shame![n]looks worse for Emirates though, they orderd 43!

According to the FlightSafety email I received, Virgin Atlantic stated after the annoucement that it might effect their A380 plans.

That will be a shock to Geoff Dixon, he thinks they've only ordered 12!!!!!!

Won't have much effect on VS, they didn't have an A380 due to be delivered for 3 to 4 years, IF they ever do!!!!

Can anyone see Virgin ever pulling out of their commitment to the A380?

I expect there are economies to be gained by having a single "family" of aircraft on your books, but at what point do the delays begin to affect Virgin's choice of new metal, if ever?

Darryl

More to the point, can anyone ever see VS actually getting an A380???

Originally posted by G-VROY
Oh dear this is a shame![n]looks worse for qantas though, they orderd 45!

I think you mean Emirates mate;) Although Qantas aren't happy about the situation either.

Originally posted by VS075

Originally posted by G-VROY
Oh dear this is a shame![n]looks worse for qantas though, they orderd 45!

I think you mean Emirates mate;) Although Qantas aren't happy about the situation either.

yh i did sorry [n][:#]just edited

Originally posted by G-VROYyh i did sorry [n][:#]just edited

Don't worry [8D]

You could edit again to spell Emirates correctly!!!!

Another 10 days passes and more delays to the a380 are announced!

EK and VS have now gone on record to say that they have been informed of a further 10 month delay. This means EK wont be flying the a/c until Aug 2007 and VS until late 2009!!!! Airbus are expected to confirm sometime tomorrow.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2521227

Rumours are now flying of both VS and EK canceling some orders if not canning all orders. (I would think EK will cut the number of ordered down but I see VS sticking with the 6 they have on order)

SQ apparently arent too bothered as they just want the a/c to provide extra capacity on current routes.

What is going with Airbus?? They are making this a real joke! [B)]

Emirates are "reviewing" their orders.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5402922.stm

this is getting beond a joke[B)]

I don't think that this is much of a surprise as it's a pretty big advance and there are bound to be problems.
Boeing comes out looking really good here, but I'll bet they end up with a few problems with the 787;)

VS.

I'll put money on EK sticking with the A380, getting a load of A346 for next to nothing will smooth the deal!!!

Originally posted by VS045
I don't think that this is much of a surprise as it's a pretty big advance and there are bound to be problems.
Boeing comes out looking really good here, but I'll bet they end up with a few problems with the 787;)

VS.

Ahh yes but didnt airbus go on record to say at the start of the summer there would be no more delays to the 380!!!

It does make me sad to see a European built a/c getting such bad press- I cant think of any other new aircraft in recent history that has had such problems after the madien flight and before it was delivered. Or maybe it is because of its high profile we are seeing all this coverage?!?

A shame to see this happening being European I always feel a bit of loyality to airbus.

I too am an airbus-fan. The A346 had plenty of teething problems, but it wasn't so newsworthy.

AFAIK, most new aircraft, particularly completely new models, have their fair share of troubles.

VS.

Originally posted by fozzyo
Emirates are "reviewing" their orders.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5402922.stm

With VS doing the same!

Shame that nowadays we live in a world where nothing stays silent for long.

To be honest I would not be surprised if any of these airlines cancelled any of their orders, especially VS. I wonder if those reports for cancelling the A380s in favour of a load of A330s will come back.

Time will tell.

The BBC article makes an interesting point, with all the compensation and penalty clause payments that may need to be made these planes could (eventually) represent excellent value for money.

Out of interest does anyone know the early history of the 747? Was that delivered on time?

Answered my own question - they did it in four years ontime!

Originally posted by fozzyo
Answered my own question - they did it in four years ontime!

pretty impressive!

Up till a couple of week's ago the Lockheed L1011 took the longest time to get from first flight to entering service! but the A380 has now beaten that[n] but talking about the 747 the other variants had huge delays before entering service, so i guess even having a proven airframe thing's can still go wrong[n]

Originally posted by fozzyo
Answered my own question - they did it in four years ontime!

Depends how you measure 'on time'. There were big problems with the -100, especially with the JT9D engines and the weight. It was nearly 20% overweight at flight test IIRC. Technically, the A380 could be considered to be on time, as there are models that could be handed over for commercial service. But no airline is going to start a new model in service without enough of the type to justify a full service. SQ would need at least three to do this, and although three could be rustled up, it is in no-one's best interest to do so.

I don't think what's happening with the A380 is anything unusual, it's just that it's a pretty high profile project.

VS.