Aug 4, 2013, 10:08 am
Last edit by: BotB
This wikipost was created to provide an easy way to find the various trip reports in this thread without having to go through each page looking for them.
It is only meant to be a quick reference tool, you may find useful info or comments / questions mentioned in the rest of the thread.
Please do update this wikipost if you add a TR to this thread so that others can easily find it or check for updates. Thanks. ^
All TR's are listed in alphabetical order of the poster's name!
Video TR's:
continentalclub's Video TR is here
fellfromatree's Video TR is here
NTA's Video TR's are here:
BA A380 World Traveller & World Traveller Plus
BA A380 Brown Club World
BA A380 First
Schwann's Video TR's are here and here (cabin overview video but without First)
Traditional Word/Picture TR's here:
andrewrtw's TR is here
Berbound's comments on the F cabin are here
BotB's TR is here
eejp1007's TR here
flashware's TR is here
LondonAndy's TR starts here
Love Flying's TR is here
manymany's TR is here
marbe166's TR is here
nh1980's TR is here
PaulN's TR is here
It is only meant to be a quick reference tool, you may find useful info or comments / questions mentioned in the rest of the thread.
Please do update this wikipost if you add a TR to this thread so that others can easily find it or check for updates. Thanks. ^
All TR's are listed in alphabetical order of the poster's name!
Video TR's:
continentalclub's Video TR is here
fellfromatree's Video TR is here
NTA's Video TR's are here:
BA A380 World Traveller & World Traveller Plus
BA A380 Brown Club World
BA A380 First
Schwann's Video TR's are here and here (cabin overview video but without First)
Traditional Word/Picture TR's here:
andrewrtw's TR is here
Berbound's comments on the F cabin are here
BotB's TR is here
eejp1007's TR here
flashware's TR is here
LondonAndy's TR starts here
Love Flying's TR is here
manymany's TR is here
marbe166's TR is here
nh1980's TR is here
PaulN's TR is here
Trip Reports : BA A380 'training' flights between LHR and FRA, inaugural flight 2 Aug
Aug 2, 2013, 1:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
Trip Reports : BA A380 'training' flights between LHR and FRA, inaugural flight 2 Aug
Rather than have a dozen separate threads, I thought we could post all of our photos (or links to trip reports) in one thread - remember only to post photos taken in publicly accessible areas!
Aug 2, 2013, 1:57 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
A380 Training Flights - photos and trip reports
Determined to get a seat on the first A380, I'd been following the thread started by BotB for some time, and thanks to rumours and speculation had booked one or two tickets, just in case 
:
Luckily it looked like 2 August was the day, but that it would be the 06.45 flight. eejp1007 and I set off at 04.30 to get to T5 in time (well, in time for him to have his first Flounge breakfast!).
Gate C63 was announced and there she was:
Somewhat disappointingly there was no fanfare, except a letter saying that you'd be on an A380 today. However, they were trying the three entrances (although you were only allowed through one!)
Having been greeted on board....
.... I settled down in 10A (first row of Club on the lower deck). It was a bit disappointing that they weren't using F, or the upper deck at all.
Standard Club World seat, I had a look to see how to get off in case of need
and raised the screen due to the person sitting next to me (sorry BotB!)
Whilst taxiing we saw a few close relatives lined up
... and some of the distant family (one recently deceased, the other an Airbus A321)
... and then we were off!
VERY quiet inside the cabin, and almost with no sense of movement/banking. The wings do flex up and down rather alarmingly (upto 3 metres I'm told!).
In terms of cabins, First was shut off so as to be a surprise for those travelling to LAX.
Club World didn't seem to have m/any seats with loads of extra leg-room, but the middle seat upstairs may appeal if you are travelling by yourself.
The window seats upstairs have the same nice storage as the upper deck of a 747
World Traveller Plus looks quite good, with the new style seats
To be continued....
:Luckily it looked like 2 August was the day, but that it would be the 06.45 flight. eejp1007 and I set off at 04.30 to get to T5 in time (well, in time for him to have his first Flounge breakfast!).
Gate C63 was announced and there she was:
Somewhat disappointingly there was no fanfare, except a letter saying that you'd be on an A380 today. However, they were trying the three entrances (although you were only allowed through one!)
Having been greeted on board....
.... I settled down in 10A (first row of Club on the lower deck). It was a bit disappointing that they weren't using F, or the upper deck at all.
Standard Club World seat, I had a look to see how to get off in case of need
and raised the screen due to the person sitting next to me (sorry BotB!)
Whilst taxiing we saw a few close relatives lined up
... and some of the distant family (one recently deceased, the other an Airbus A321)
... and then we were off!
VERY quiet inside the cabin, and almost with no sense of movement/banking. The wings do flex up and down rather alarmingly (upto 3 metres I'm told!).
In terms of cabins, First was shut off so as to be a surprise for those travelling to LAX.
Club World didn't seem to have m/any seats with loads of extra leg-room, but the middle seat upstairs may appeal if you are travelling by yourself.
The window seats upstairs have the same nice storage as the upper deck of a 747
World Traveller Plus looks quite good, with the new style seats
To be continued....
Last edited by LondonAndy; Aug 8, 2013 at 12:12 am
Aug 2, 2013, 1:58 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA CCR/GGL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,483
A380 Training Flights - photos and trip reports
.... continued
World Traveller - the cabin at the back on the upper deck is definitely the one to go for - only 4/5 rows, and loads of legroom in row 80! This isn't a picture of that WT cabin, but gives you an idea...
The toilets have a couple of nice touches - motion sensitive taps with temperature control (no more getting scalded!)
They also, like current long haul fleet, have "changing seats", but a bit more prominent.
The upstairs toilet at the front is huge! Apparently where Emirates have their shower
The galleys all look shiny and new (and I heard cabin crew saying that it is no longer a case of on or off, but low heat, high heat, steam etc.) which should help serve up some pretty good food
Spiral stairs at the back
Straight stairs at the front
The journey back was more of the same (although delayed by about 45 minutes) - at least in Frankfurt they made some acknowledgement of it being the first flight
As well as the FT crowd, there was an internal comms person from BA interviewing some of us for their magazine, and a couple who had flown from Perth (Australia, not Scotland) as they are flying on all of the first commercial flights for A380s!
.... and safely back on the ground at LHR
The seat map for the A380 is on the BA website in case you are tempted to book your seat now!
Special thanks to BotB for being rumour control centre, and to WhaleJet for hints and tips at just the right time
If you have any questions/comments/thoughts, please post them in the Trip Report thread, and leave this thread clear for others to post their photos.
World Traveller - the cabin at the back on the upper deck is definitely the one to go for - only 4/5 rows, and loads of legroom in row 80! This isn't a picture of that WT cabin, but gives you an idea...
The toilets have a couple of nice touches - motion sensitive taps with temperature control (no more getting scalded!)
They also, like current long haul fleet, have "changing seats", but a bit more prominent.
The upstairs toilet at the front is huge! Apparently where Emirates have their shower
The galleys all look shiny and new (and I heard cabin crew saying that it is no longer a case of on or off, but low heat, high heat, steam etc.) which should help serve up some pretty good food
Spiral stairs at the back
Straight stairs at the front
The journey back was more of the same (although delayed by about 45 minutes) - at least in Frankfurt they made some acknowledgement of it being the first flight
As well as the FT crowd, there was an internal comms person from BA interviewing some of us for their magazine, and a couple who had flown from Perth (Australia, not Scotland) as they are flying on all of the first commercial flights for A380s!
.... and safely back on the ground at LHR
The seat map for the A380 is on the BA website in case you are tempted to book your seat now!
Special thanks to BotB for being rumour control centre, and to WhaleJet for hints and tips at just the right time
If you have any questions/comments/thoughts, please post them in the Trip Report thread, and leave this thread clear for others to post their photos.
Last edited by LondonAndy; Aug 4, 2013 at 11:15 am
Aug 2, 2013, 2:23 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
Here is mine - arriving into Frankfurt gate D4
Aug 2, 2013, 2:27 am
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phuket Thailand
Programs: HH Diamond, BA Gold, IHG Gold, Oman Gold
Posts: 1,038
Aug 2, 2013, 2:55 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Dorset
Programs: BAEC Blue, VS Red, IHG Platinum
Posts: 597
Who could say!!??!! If we did, we wouldn't brag about it would we?
My perspective from down the back in row 20.
There were 3 boarding bridges attached at T5C, two on the lower deck and one on the upper deck. We all boarded through the door between Club and First on the lower deck and walked through to the back.
This was my first time on an A380 and it was so quiet, there was so little take off noise they should play a tape recording of a rattly B747 take off to remind pax that they are on their way.
Very comfy seats in Y, look good and kind on the bottom. I think that the mini-cabins in Y upstairs are deffo the ones to go for as you have less people and the bins at the side but if you are downstairs then 20 has loads of leg room at the exits at the sides but not that much at the bassinet positions in the middle.
Bit of a shock coming into land as it had been so quiet that the noise of the gear dropping and the wind was (comparatively) REALLY loud!
Great flight, great crew, some on their first A380 flight also and a good evolution of the BA product.
I forgot to put my phone on flight mode before boarding so no pics from me I'm afraid. I will await Schwann and the video diaroma!
Everyone else is now on the plane home, I have had a lovely shower in the very quiet CX lounge and will see some of you on the 911 tonight!
Ed
My perspective from down the back in row 20.
There were 3 boarding bridges attached at T5C, two on the lower deck and one on the upper deck. We all boarded through the door between Club and First on the lower deck and walked through to the back.
This was my first time on an A380 and it was so quiet, there was so little take off noise they should play a tape recording of a rattly B747 take off to remind pax that they are on their way.
Very comfy seats in Y, look good and kind on the bottom. I think that the mini-cabins in Y upstairs are deffo the ones to go for as you have less people and the bins at the side but if you are downstairs then 20 has loads of leg room at the exits at the sides but not that much at the bassinet positions in the middle.
Bit of a shock coming into land as it had been so quiet that the noise of the gear dropping and the wind was (comparatively) REALLY loud!
Great flight, great crew, some on their first A380 flight also and a good evolution of the BA product.
I forgot to put my phone on flight mode before boarding so no pics from me I'm afraid. I will await Schwann and the video diaroma!
Everyone else is now on the plane home, I have had a lovely shower in the very quiet CX lounge and will see some of you on the 911 tonight!
Ed
Aug 2, 2013, 3:02 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lewes
Programs: HiltonH. Gold Starwood Gold BA BLUES! Mucci.
Posts: 4,833
Agree with your post about noise levels. Stepping off an old BA 747 on to a Qantas A380 you really notice the difference.
I know there are and will be the Upper deck 747 die-hards but once you have actually flown the A380 there really is no going back.
I know there are and will be the Upper deck 747 die-hards but once you have actually flown the A380 there really is no going back.
Aug 2, 2013, 6:40 am
#10
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,821
First impressions: very good, very quiet, very cool on a hot day. Easy on the eye, comfortable as a bed.
However you do want to be upper deck, there are a range of interesting features - bigger toilets, a relatively exclusive rear WT section. The middle seats in CW are interesting, and have some merits, especially the bulkhead ones - extra storage space and two exits. First has a Wow! factor: bit difficult to describe, but it's such a solid set-up that I am sure passengers will be impressed.
Special thanks to the crew (and one in particular!) for all their help accomodating the aircraft geeks, they were superb. A couple of non geeks tagged along, one passenger who was not familiar with First was particularly impressed by it all.
Und im Deutschen:
My onward connection is also delayed, so I didn't have much of an irrop. I felt sorry for the group of 8 Germans going on to Rio, presumably in a 777-200!
However you do want to be upper deck, there are a range of interesting features - bigger toilets, a relatively exclusive rear WT section. The middle seats in CW are interesting, and have some merits, especially the bulkhead ones - extra storage space and two exits. First has a Wow! factor: bit difficult to describe, but it's such a solid set-up that I am sure passengers will be impressed.
Special thanks to the crew (and one in particular!) for all their help accomodating the aircraft geeks, they were superb. A couple of non geeks tagged along, one passenger who was not familiar with First was particularly impressed by it all.
Und im Deutschen:
My onward connection is also delayed, so I didn't have much of an irrop. I felt sorry for the group of 8 Germans going on to Rio, presumably in a 777-200!
Aug 2, 2013, 7:33 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
Saw it coming out of the clouds above White City on my way to lunch. Well jealous of those who trusted the rumours more than me!
Now that is some hardcore abuse of the German language. Never mind the "Boing", who the hell comes up with "Onboardprodukte"???
Now that is some hardcore abuse of the German language. Never mind the "Boing", who the hell comes up with "Onboardprodukte"???
Aug 2, 2013, 7:40 am
#12
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
Programs: SPG LT Plat, BA G, BD*LG, MG Blue+ ...
Posts: 16,032
Just a reminder, folks, that this thread is intended as a place for Trip Reports from, and direct discussion of, todays (and subsequent) BA A380 flights to and from FRA.
More general discussion is welcome here.
This is one thread that would benefit from being free from unneccesary diversions.
/mod
More general discussion is welcome here.
This is one thread that would benefit from being free from unneccesary diversions.
/mod
Aug 2, 2013, 11:02 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 893
In terms of cabins, First was shut off so as to be a surprise for those travelling to LAX.