Thread: A380 saved from extinction

Great news. I've just stepped off a brand spanking new A380 this morning, and the development in these has been fantastic. My favourite aircraft by a long shot and the new one has taken a big step forward over what was already an excellent aeroplane.

I'm not very impressed.

The first passenger jet service began in 1953 with the DeHavilland Comet (to my best knowledge)

Aeroplane speeds, comfort levels and departure to destination times are unchanged since then.

You cannot hold a normal conversation in an A380 after 65yrs of development and if you ease your chair back in economy class your knees still touch the seat in front.

500plus people using 8-10 toilets for 14hours eating and drinking is really bad and the toilets reflect that after a few hours in the air.

My last flight in an A380 everyone froze and the stewards ran out of blankets to give everyone.

Nothing much has really changed in 65 years.

I hate flying in those cattle crates.

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Great news. I've just stepped off a brand spanking new A380 this morning, and the development in these has been fantastic. My favourite aircraft by a long shot and the new one has taken a big step forward over what was already an excellent aeroplane.

Looks like you had a great trip Slunnie.

I had my first trip in an A380 SYD-DFW and return in November. Travelling with two young children, I was favourably impressed by the aircraft, compared to my last long distance trip in a 747.

Admittedly the seat spacing is not really good enough, but you have to consider that in light of the fare paid. Noise level was quite satisfactory, and no real complaints about the flights. The only complaints about the flights related to passenger handling on the ground, including barely making a connection in DFW, and missing one in Sydney, and luggage missed transferring - ground facilities, especially baggage handling, are not up to that number of passengers.

In comparing 1953 and 2018, you need to take into account that in 1953 the only fares were first class - and even then were much more expensive than today when inflation adjusted. The large "cattle crates" are what has made flying practical for most travellers - in fact, what has made travel practical for most travellers. The speed of thee is limited by the physical properties of the atmosphere - travel any closer to, or over Mach 1 imposes what the market has judged to be unacceptable financial and environmental costs.

On the other hand, in 1953, air travel required that you turn up for an international flight perhaps half an hour before take-off - today, you need at least three hours. On the ground is where things have gone backwards!

Rambling boy, depends who you fly with as to service and general comfort levels. Some operators of 380’s have more generous seat spacing than “Our” Australian mob. Also I’ve found levels of service and general politeness to be better with foreign airlines, whenever I’ve flown red tail the cabin crew seem over worked and stressed.