Okay, this is kind of geeky, but I flew on the Singapore Airlines A380 and will do it again on the return trip. I know from Wikipedia that: The first aircraft delivered (MSN003, registered 9V-SKA) was handed over to Singapore Airlines on 15 October 2007.

So, the 3rd A380 built was the first one sold. But if I am on the plane, is there a way for me to find out which MSN (I guess "manufacturer serial number"?) I am flying on?

I am curious for a lot of reasons, but especially because I visited the A380 site in Toulouse back when they were still building the MSN003 and saw it during the tour. Yes, okay, kind of a geek, but in my defense, last week I got a 1.5 hour private tour of the Airbus facilities in Toulouse and started to wonder...

Cheers, Powers

ps. I thought about posting this in the SIN Krisflyer thread, but I think the question could apply to Emirates, Air France, etc. as well, up to the mods I guess.

you'll find what you need here

http://plane.spottingworld.com/A380_production_list

That's good summary of A380 deliveries, but I don't know if it tells me how to see what plane I'm on. I guess if I have a good view before boarding I might see a serial number on the airplane, but once inside I'm not sure.

I often asked cabin crew for registration number when I was unable to see it on the aircraft. and then compare that one to the list.

The problem with the A380 specifically is that the machine is soooo big it is hard to see the registration number. The serial number is also on a plaque inside the aircraft, but I haven't a clue where one would go to find it on the A380 so it's easier to look up by registration number or ask an FA. FA's mostly don't know, but the A380 is new enough to be different.

This isn't a geeky question if we're all so interested in it. of course, we might all be geeks.

Isn't it stamped on the front door like most all other aircraft? I never looked at the door of the A380, but then I'm not an airplane geek.

SQ's a/c have the last 2 letters of the registration on the nose wheel flaps. You can normally see these from the gate &/or airbridge.

Great tip, thanks! Can match that up with the other link (I think...).

Come on, you're an FTE, Stimpy, by definition you're an airplane geek.

Haha, you got caught Stimpy. I have to agree with jbcarioca, you're by definition an airplane geek. Maybe by FT standards you're at the bottom of the geeks for this, but that puts you way above the average person.

On many aircraft, the registration is also displayed in the galley. But generally asking the crew will get the right result.

Yes, the last 2 letters are unique. All SQ A380 have registrations that begin with 9V-SKx, with just the last letter different for each a/c.

Good tips, FT dudes, I just arrived in Singapore. I flew on the SKJ, the 10th Singapore Airlines A380. It was delivered in Feb 2009, and despite being nice and new, it didn't have that new airplane smell! LOL, it was a nice flight.

I took a photo but will have to post it later, but as stated above on the wheel compartment flap under the cockpit there were the letters KJ and then in the back galley, upper deck, they have SKJ stickers (in the galley, pasted on the wall shared with the toilet). So, it is easy in fact to figure it out if you are interested and looking.

Cheers, Powers