To create the A380 cabin, the most spacious and comfortable yet, Airbus went to huge lengths to find out what passengers wanted.
Article continues below
The first Airbus A380 was delivered to Singapore Airlines on 15th October 2007, with five more delivered to the airline in 2008. Qantas received three A380s in 2008, and Emirates four - the most recent of which was delivered on the 30th December 2008 from the Airbus delivery centre in Hamburg, Germany.
The in-service A380 fleet has flown more than 21,000 revenue flight hours in more than 2200 commercial flights carrying more than 890,000 passengers. The world's first full double-deck aircraft is now connecting four continents and flying on seven major international routes. A380s in service link Singapore with Sydney, London and Tokyo, Dubai with New York and London, and Sydney and Melbourne with Los Angeles.
Being greener, cleaner, quieter and smarter, the A380 is setting new standards for air transport and the environment. In addition to the quiet and spacious double-deck cabin, the A380 is also setting new industry-standards for the environment. The in-service experience has shown that the A380 consumes 20 percent less fuel per seat than the previous largest aircraft, representing the lowest fuel burn of any large aircraft ever.
The A380 not only complies with today's noise limits, it is also significantly quieter than any other large aircraft flying today. With a range of 8 200 nm / 15 200 km, and seating 525 passengers in a standard three-class layout while being much more eco-efficient, the A380 is the ideal aircraft to alleviate traffic congestion at busy airports, while coping with growth.
The A380's double-deck passenger cabins are wider than the largest airliner in service today, offering the possibility for wider seats and aisles on the A380, along with more open spaces and access to optional passenger amenities such as business centres and social areas. Its built-in cabin arrangement flexibility will allow airlines to differentiate their products and develop solutions for all potential market mixes.
Some operators might, for example, choose to seat their First and Business class passengers on the upper deck –providing a corporate jet-like environment for these clients – while configuring the A380’s main deck for an all-Economy layout.
To create the A380 cabin, the most spacious and comfortable yet designed for a large commercial aircraft, Airbus went to huge lengths to find out what passengers themselves wanted. Vast cabin mock-ups were taken to eight major cities on three continents and the views of 1,200 frequent travellers – male and female and from a range of cultures and nationalities – were listened to. ■