Probable A380 Program Termination This Week - No last minute BA Order
Feb 14, 2019, 6:59 am
#106
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At the critical point (single engine failure at V1), the 380 would still have 240,000 pounds of thrust available from the remaining three engines. This is delivered by 3 engines each producing 80,000 pounds.
If the 380 were a twin, it would have to be equipped with two engines each delivering 240,000 pounds, so that the aircraft would still have 240,000 pounds available after a single engine failure at V1.
However, the largest engines currently available are about 115,000 pounds. This gives you an idea of the huge leap that would be necessary in engine technology for a 380-sized aircraft to be a twin.
Feb 14, 2019, 7:23 am
#107
Join Date: Feb 2011
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In terms of passenger count, the A380 is not far off a 77W, so I still think, upscaling a 77W in size might allow running an A380 sized aircraft on two engines. The 777-X to be released in 2020-'21 comes rather cose. Particularly when using even more composite wing and fuselage materials like the 787 and 350 have (which makes them more efficient than a 380).
For comparison: a bus carrying say, 40 passengers still has one engine and not more, it is just larger than an automobile engine carrying 5 passengers.
For comparison: a bus carrying say, 40 passengers still has one engine and not more, it is just larger than an automobile engine carrying 5 passengers.
The 77W passenger limit is 550 and the 779 is 475. The A380's limit is 868, there is nothing comparable to it.
Feb 14, 2019, 8:02 am
#108
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Although it is likely to lead either to a flat no or an unacceptable price I would still expect Willie Walsh to have a final chat with Airbus regarding some more A380. 12 frames is a sub optimal number for BA.
Feb 14, 2019, 2:28 pm
#109
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I am intrigued as to why you think 12 frames is sub-optimal. The modern thinking is to tailor your fleet for maximum flexibility rather than type commonality. This is why BA is replacing the large fleet of 747-400s with a mix of aircraft types. The A380 is unfortunately not a flexible aircraft due to it being on one extreme of the aircraft size range. It is telling that EK, the largest operator of the A380s wants a more diverse fleet going gorward.
Feb 14, 2019, 3:02 pm
#110
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One disadvantage that comes to mind is that which is readily apparent: a lack of spare aircraft to cover for the inevitable tech issues. BA's 380s have a reputation for always going sick and therefore for being technically dodgy. AIUI, the actual hard numbers for despatch reliability don't support that view, but the consequences of the inevitable problems are more visible both because of the time of day of some of the flights but also because the small fleet means that there can't be a spare sitting around to be subbed in at short notice.
Feb 14, 2019, 3:29 pm
#111
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One disadvantage that comes to mind is that which is readily apparent: a lack of spare aircraft to cover for the inevitable tech issues. BA's 380s have a reputation for always going sick and therefore for being technically dodgy. AIUI, the actual hard numbers for despatch reliability don't support that view, but the consequences of the inevitable problems are more visible both because of the time of day of some of the flights but also because the small fleet means that there can't be a spare sitting around to be subbed in at short notice.
Feb 14, 2019, 10:50 pm
#112
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One disadvantage that comes to mind is that which is readily apparent: a lack of spare aircraft to cover for the inevitable tech issues. BA's 380s have a reputation for always going sick and therefore for being technically dodgy. AIUI, the actual hard numbers for despatch reliability don't support that view, but the consequences of the inevitable problems are more visible both because of the time of day of some of the flights but also because the small fleet means that there can't be a spare sitting around to be subbed in at short notice.
Unless new A380s can be bought or leased cheaply, even with 10 more A380s they probably wouldn't keep spares around. Under-utilization makes sense for older aircraft (such as 747s) where fixed costs are low and operating costs are higher.
Feb 15, 2019, 3:13 am
#113
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Irrespective of LH aircraft type, going tech away from LHR is a big headache.
Last edited by FlyerTalker39574; Feb 15, 2019 at 3:22 am
Feb 15, 2019, 3:56 am
#114
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BA would never have a spare A380. Their A380 back up plan makes use of longish turnaround times and the aircraft flies on routes where if one does need to be cancelled then there are plenty of re-booking options on other BA services and on partners. BAs long haul back-up is normally a mixture of Mid J 747 or 773. On many days however there are No standby aircraft and things just get jiggled with the remaining aircraft.
Feb 15, 2019, 4:07 am
#115
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Qatar have indicated they're going to start removing their A380s from the fleet from 2024 and also stated that:
Seems that they're going to use the 777-8 and -9 to replace the A380s, potentially alongside the A350-1000 providing Airbus is able to increase the MTOW.
Aside from Emirates, it could be that the A380 has an accelerated exit from most airlines due to it's size, relatively limited cargo capacity and perceived "inefficiency" compared to the newer "big twins".
“We don’t see any secondary market opportunity. There are ex-Singapore Airlines A380 jets that nobody wants, and this year, there will be aircraft available to the second-hand market from Emirates”
Aside from Emirates, it could be that the A380 has an accelerated exit from most airlines due to it's size, relatively limited cargo capacity and perceived "inefficiency" compared to the newer "big twins".
what if, no.... never, surely.... (yes I know 777-10X is really the future)
Feb 15, 2019, 12:35 pm
#117
Join Date: Jun 2018
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The NY Times had an article today about the end of production. Nothing I could not have learned from reading this thread but a bit interesting.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/b...rbus-a380.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/b...rbus-a380.html
Feb 15, 2019, 1:38 pm
#118
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Why doesn't BA serve JFK with an A380, as other airlines do ? Does it not make sense as such a popular route ? Or does BA prefer frequency over many passengers in fewer flights. It's clearly not a distance thing, what with BOS being such a relatively short flight time.
Feb 15, 2019, 1:43 pm
#119
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Why doesn't BA serve JFK with an A380, as other airlines do ? Does it not make sense as such a popular route ? Or does BA prefer frequency over many passengers in fewer flights. It's clearly not a distance thing, what with BOS being such a relatively short flight time.
As you mentioned, BA prefers frequency on this route. Also not sure if JFK T7 ( and T8 where BA wil move to ) could handle a A380 in terms of jetbridges to the upper deck etc
Regards
TBS