Originally Posted by
jimrpa
I don't get the huge staircase at the front of the aircraft, especially for SQ. As I understand it, SQ is very strict about keeping the classes seperate (i.e., business class pax stay in business, coach pax stay in coach). The "Grand Staircase" leads from main deck F to upper Deck C, so who would use it, and why? I can't imagine a horde of F pax wanting to rush up to C, and I didn't think C pax would be allowed down to F. Couldn't they replace it with a much smaller, space-efficient staircase (like on the 747) and use the wasted space for something else (bar in F?, seats in C?)
1) There are 148 upper class passengers - 60 in J and 88 in Y. Compare with 24 J on 747. When there is no upper deck jetbridge (and no plane other than 380 has it, even 747 cannot have it), those 148 must embark and disembark by stairs and lifts. You may require the rear Y passengers to embark and disembark through the smaller curved staircase in the rear and the aisles of main deck Y, but still there are 60 Y passengers
2) There are lounge and couches next to grand staircase (in standard layout). Is it only for C?
3) While upper deck escape slides do exist, and did work for the 315 seat evacuation test, the 747 upper deck is evacuated by stairs if possible. What about 380?
4) The certification conditions of the large A380 upper deck positively required no fewer than 2 stairs in total and at least one stair of sufficient size to evacuate people somewhat incapacitated. How big at a minimum? Is there any wiggleroom to shrink the stairs?