Airline News: Airbus A380 - Promises Delivered?

Two days ago, British Airways released their A380 seat plan, in anticipation of their first whalejet flight.

Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG, BA's parent company revealed the following details:

Main Deck

• 14 First
• 22 Club World Business Class in a 2/4/2 configuration
• 119 World Traveler Economy Class in a 3/4/5 configuration

Upper Deck

• 53 Club World Business Class in a 2/3/2 layout
• 55 World Traveler Plus Premium Economy Class in a 2/3/2 layout
• 104 World Traveler Economy Class in a 2/4/2 layout

BA has bought 12 of the superjumbos and are taking delivery of their first in July of 2013.  No announcements of routes yet.

I don't profess to be an aviation expert, but I do have an opinion. Frankly, I don't see the big hype about the A380, or even the Dreamliner for that matter.  The makers of these aircrafts have all the best intentions in the world in developing new technologies that can, in theory, lead to a more comfortable ride for passengers.  And let's face it, that is a good thing considering the golden days of Pan Am are long gone and not returning.  So with the hassles on the ground, what goes on in the air does matter.

When Airbus starting hocking their plane around, the industry and the public got to view such wondrous possibilities.  Oh, the plane is way quieter than any predecessor.  Oh, there is so much space now even in cattle class.  Oh, we have great mood lighting and larger overhead bins.

And check out the grand staircase!

Airbus did a great job at selling the dream in their marketing mock ups, especially for premium classes, offering even options between salons and suites.

It's been what, over 5 years now since the first Singapore Airlines A380 flight.  Many other carriers have since flown theirs.  Has there been any difference?

Some swear that the plane is indeed quieter upon take off and landing. Personally, I didn't think that it was that much quieter compared to say the 77W.  Crew members I spoke to from different carriers concurred.  Fine, it is all anecdotal and some may say subjective.

So let's take a look at the seat numbers of the different carriers flying the A380.

© Business Traveler

Airbus's A380 capacity was designated to be 555 seats in a three class configuration.  That number was to gain maximum yields without the bells and whistles they sold in their marketing campaigns.

At 469 seats in total BA doesn't come in too bad.  At 516 seats, the greatest offender is Air France that tries to squeeze out every little bit of space in their A380, while Korean Air comes in at 407 seats.

So does the passenger benefit from the added space?  It depends.  If you are in the back of the bus, the experience will be no different from any other plane, primarily because the seat pitch of Y in almost all the carriers straddles between 31-32 inches.  If you are in business class, unless you are flying with Qantas, whose pitch is about 80 inches, you will still find the industry average of 55-60 inches to be the norm on the superjumbos of other carriers.  And if you are flying in first, well, if you aren't happy with the space in the front of the bus, then get a private jet!

So the truth is, space wise, it isn't any different from any other plane. Airlines have tried to sell their A380s as an improvement in products and services.  Indeed, SQ launched their new 1/2/1 'widest business class seat in the sky' during the inauguration of their A380.

Most airline customers though have not succumbed to the immense possibilities of the aircraft.  There are exceptions such as Emirates, which installed bars in their premium cabins and of course the now legendary showers in First Class.  Lufthansa decked out their First Class with a glorious toilet and changing room, in addition to noise insulating carpeting among others.  Korean Air has their shop in the sky and lounge areas in premium classes.  Singapore Airlines has their matrimonial double beds in Suites, although their official stand on what could happen on those beds is just hilarious.

If you think that just because passengers who fly premium classes get treated oh so special, well thing of this.  You know how an Y passenger is not allowed in the upper deck unless there is a Y cabin up there?  And you know how the wonderful grand staircase is off limits to Y passengers?  Well, because First Class in the A380 is always in the front of the plane, even J passengers are usually barred from using the grand staircase.

So the Grand Staircase on the A380 is a little like the one that was on the Titanic.  Luxurious but only for a very select few.  It is literally a staircase up or down to heaven,  depending on which deck First Class is on!

So after 5 years or so, the discussions and debates will no doubt continue.  Is it safe, is it noisy, is it luxurious etc.  

While the plane bears the distinction of being part of aviation milestone, no carrier will want to want to fly a plane that does not make economic sense (hallo A345).  

And so, at the end of the day, airlines have to strike a balance between coming up with the next big thing in aviation products, and yield management, something that has no formula or manual. 

For the passenger, it will still be a squeeze, the food will still taste mediocre and looking out of the window will have the same sensation regardless of the deck you are flying in.

Down the line, flying the A380 may lose its 'new tech' appeal, leaving behind  no real difference or unique value in the flying experience.