Gigantic Airbus A-380 takes to the sky..

[solinvictus]

http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=Business&cat=Aviation_and_Aerospace

"BLAGNAC, France - The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, completed its maiden flight Wednesday, a milestone for aviation and for the European aircraft-maker's battle with American rival Boeing Co."

Remember when WE used to have the leading edge on the aerospace industry?

[RobertSeattle]

1. I'll take the 787 over that behemoth

I like point to point flights - not through hubs which what the thing is trying to make happen. I think it will be a flop.

[MercutioATC]

9. Both the A380 and B787 have a range of about 8,000nm.

I don't see either of them having more of a stake in hub operations.

[RobertSeattle]

11. I think the Arlines disagree

The A380 requires tremendous improvements to existing facilities
Consumers like point to point travel
The airlines seem to be finally realizing this
Orders for the B787 are kicking Airbus butt this year.

[MercutioATC]

12. Yes, the A380 does have greater runway requirements than the B787, but

it's not going to be used as a medium-range hauler as much as the B787 is.


They're different tools for different jobs.

[Dirk_H]

15. Boeings reasoning, that

there will only be little demand for 'superjumbos' in the future, because people (and airlines) would prefer smaller planes, more suitable for point to point flights, is mere wishful thinking and concealment of their own incompetence to build an adequate successor for their outdated 747. Future growth of aviation business will predominantly happen in Asia and (East-)Europe, not in the US, and the A380 is perfectly suited for these markets. Fast growing asian economies like China will need enormous capacities of cost-efficient aircrafts, not only for billions of potential passengers, but also for cargo. Densly populated Europe, with its vast tourism industry and its major share of world trade has to cope with its already overcroweded airspace, which will be additionally strained by the integration of the east European countries and their fast growing trade and travelling.
Most important airports (at least those outside the US) are already preparing for the A380 and especially in Europe there is such a tough competition between the international airports, that no one could risk to fall behind. Most asian hubs are in a constant process of modernisation and expansion anyway due to fast frowing demands, thus they will have no problems to cope with the A380.
The A380 is not only the worlds biggest passenger aircraft but also its most advanced and cost-efficient. Even in its standard configuration with 550 seats it consumes less then 3 litres of fuel per passenger and 100km, which is significantly better than any other passenger jet. With rising energy costs and growing demand of people in not so rich countries to take part in international aviation, this will be a decisive advantage.

[SKKY]

16. Crowded Airspace will be fixed when...

...airplanes are equipped with the latest GPS tracking that will allow for narrower than 8 mile channels for planes to fly in. As far as the efficiency of the A380, well it's a wash really because the A380 is only 15% more efficient than the best that available NOW, and the 787 isn't even due for a couple more years I think. Boeing already has 240 orders for the 787, with Air India and Air Canada opting out of the A380 altogether. Also taking into account that the major carriers like British, Virgin, etc. have already stated they'll be purchasing BOTH aircraft, sounds to me like Boeing will come out on top.

[AngryAmish]

2. That is one big airplane

[Coventina]

3. Depending on seating arrangments...can hold almost 1000 people

including crew.

Somehow, I just don't think it's right to have a plane that will take 1000 souls if it malfunctions. 200 or so is bad enough.

Just my .02

[ewagner]

5. In the Air Force

we used to refer to C-141's and C-5s as "Gang Killers"....

This surpasses both of those by a wide margin....

[rfkrfk]

6. capacity varies with the different airlines

Air France, Luftansa : 500 people
Cheech and Chong Airlines : 4000 people

[quiet.american]

7. Sobering thought. n/t

[jeff30997]

4. And some peoples say that...

France is part of OLD Europe.

[Gregorian]

8. It's a TEN BILLION dollar gamble.

Good luck Airbus.

[Rick Myers]

10. Did they 'test' the company name, Airbus???

They might as well have named the company, Flying Greyhound!!!

[MercutioATC]

13. On a continenent where "public transportation" isn't a dirty phrase

it makes sense.

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. This one's a wee bit bigger

Russian cargo transport. World's largest aircraft.

Antonov An-225