First A380 Delivery

[cdnvic]

AIRBUS WILL DELIVER FIRST A380 TO SINGAPORE AIRLINES ON 15th OCTOBER

In line with the announced plan of delivering the first A380 to Singapore Airlines in October 2007, Airbus today confirms that the formal hand-over will take place on Monday 15th of that month.

After a dedicated delivery ceremony in Toulouse, the flagship of the 21st century will take-off for Singapore’s Changi International Airport within a couple of days. The new double-decker-aircraft will commence the world’s first A380 commercial airline-service between Singapore and Sydney on 25 October.

Watch it live online:

http://www.a380delivery.com/

[think_too_mut]

Watch it live online:

This was the major thing, my daughter (who barely had teeth then) has many photos where she was and what she was doing while history was being made.

[tartempion]

In line with the announced plan of delivering the first A380 to Singapore Airlines in October 2007,

Somewhat overdue: should have been October 2005, same people who built this cold unhuman metal airport?

[Aussietraveller]

Airbus has officially handed over the first A380 to Singapore Airlines in a ceremony held at its Delivery Centre Toulouse, France in the presence of over 500 guests. The aircraft was officially handed over to Chew Choon Seng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Singapore Airlines by Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders in presence of Chief Executive Officer Rolls-Royce Sir John Rose.

The A380 will take-off for Singapore on 16th October, arriving at Singapore’s Changi International Airport the following day.

The A380 has an unmatched fuel efficiency of less than three litres per passenger per 100 kilometres.

The aircraft's efficiency and advanced technologies results in higher operational flexibility and outstanding economics - with a range of more than 8,000 nm/15,000 km and seat-mile costs 20 percent lower than the former largest aircraft.

Full Story

Report from Airbus.com

[peter991]

Singapore Airlines gets World’s first A380

Singapore Airlines entered the record books last night when the world’s first A380 super jet was handed over at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse.

The formal handover ceremony, attended by over 500 people, was officiated by Airbus Chief Executive Officers Tom Enders, Rolls-Royce’s Sir John Rose and Singapore Airlines’ Chew Choon Seng.

The world’s first delivery of the A380 marks the completion of a major feat in this history of the aerospace industry. It is the largest passenger plane ever built and is the first completely new design of a passenger aircraft in decades.

The plane was built in stages around the globe before being assembled in key Airbus facilities in Europe, with the final stage completed in Toulouse, France. The livery and installation of the aircraft cabin were both completed in Hamburg, Germany.

Singapore Airlines will also be the first to fly the plane into Australia later this month, after having waited seven years from its initial order of 10 jets with options on 15 more. The firm order was increased to 19 in July last year, with the total commitment estimated around US$5.7 billion.

The first 10 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, with the remaining nine engines yet to be decided.

The airline has had the arduous task of ensuring all aspects of entry into service of the super-jumbo have been completed. From engineering, catering, cargo, baggage loading and unloading, passenger embarkation and disembarkation, flying operations and customer service, every aspect has been redesigned to accommodate the increase in passenger capacity while maintaining an efficient operation.

New cabin products have been developed after research from frequent flyers and will be rolled out on all new aircraft across the Singapore Airlines fleet. However additional specific new innovations have been released only for the A380 jets.

Singapore Airlines A380 is configured with 471 seats in three classes: Economy, Business and the new Singapore Airlines Suites; a class beyond first.

The first commercial service will take place on Thursday 25 October 2007 with a special return flight between Singapore and Sydney. Proceeds from this flight are being split amongst charities in Singapore, Sydney and a global humanitarian organisation, after being auctioned on eBay.

From Sunday 28 October 2007 the A380 will commence regular scheduled services between Singapore and Sydney with one aircraft dedicated to one of three daily flights in each direction. Singapore Airlines plans to also introduce the A380 on one of three daily flights between the country and London from early 2008.

The airline has had to work closely with other A380 customers to ensure the world’s major airports are equipped to support the aircraft. Singapore’s Changi Airport was the first to be prepared and when a new Terminal 3 opens next year, 19 gates across the three terminals will be fully A380 equipped.

The A380 boasts a lower fuel burn on a seat-mile basis compared with today’s other large aircraft, allowing for better operating efficiency benefits and also lowering the environmental impact of flying.

The A380’s new technology also allows for it to be the quietest large passenger jet ever constructed, both onboard and when in the air.

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites – A Class Beyond First

Singapore Airlines will no longer offer a First Class on its A380 jets, instead replacing the signature space into “Suites – a class beyond first”.

Boasting unrivalled exclusivity and privacy, the new cabin class is said to set a new standard in ultimate premium air travel.

Featuring a bold and unique cabin concept, each Suite is proffered as the customer’s private cabin in the sky, and located behind discrete sliding doors; it is truly a spacious and personal area complete with exquisite furnishing and finishes.

“Developed with our most valued and distinguished customers in mind, the concept of the Singapore Airlines Suites is nothing less than ground-breaking in the luxury travel market,” Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product and Services, Yap Kim Wah said.

“Singapore Airlines Suites customers can look forward to a flight with an unprecedented level of personal space, in their very own private cabin in the sky. The exquisite new product offerings, together with the special service from our world-renowned cabin crew, will delight the most discerning of our customers.”

Designed by leading French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, the Suites utilise space in an intelligent design to ensure passengers’ experiences are even more luxurious.

Each of the Suites open to a plus and luxurious leather seat, and is fully adjustable with a simple-to-use electronic control panel to create a variety of sitting and lounging positions.

A full-sized flat bed with plush mattress is built into each Suite, and does not utilize the seat as part of the sleeping surface, allowing customers to rest in bed as they might do at home.

For those customers who intend to work on their flights, the Singapore Airlines Suite can be transformed into a stylish office in the sky complete with chaise lounge for companion seating. The large height-adjustable table can function as either a workstation, meeting table or large dining table.

There is an in-seat power supply for customers travelling with laptops, as well as a thumb-drive USB port.

For those that prefer to enjoy the entertainment offered, KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines entertainment system just got bigger.

Suite passengers can enjoy watching movies on their own sleek 23-inch personal high-resolution widescreen LCD, or listen to music in the equally premium headsets provided.

The new KrisWorld offers 100 movies, more than 180 TV programmes and a choice of 700 different music CDs, as well as games and video-on-demand. The new office application allows passengers to save work by plugging in their USB drive to save and edit files.

The Singapore Airlines Suites also offers an array of gourmet offerings including those designed exclusively by top chefs on the airlines’ International Culinary Panel.

Passengers in the Suites will also be able to enjoy an exclusive Ferragamo amenity kit available only on the A380.

Peter

[Losangels]

Singapore Airlines A380 Suites – A Class Beyond First

Singapore Airlines will no longer offer a First Class on its A380 jets, instead replacing the signature space into “Suites – a class beyond first”.

Boasting unrivalled exclusivity and privacy, the new cabin class is said to set a new standard in ultimate premium air travel.

Featuring a bold and unique cabin concept, each Suite is proffered as the customer’s private cabin in the sky, and located behind discrete sliding doors; it is truly a spacious and personal area complete with exquisite furnishing and finishes.

“Developed with our most valued and distinguished customers in mind, the concept of the Singapore Airlines Suites is nothing less than ground-breaking in the luxury travel market,” Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product and Services, Yap Kim Wah said.

“Singapore Airlines Suites customers can look forward to a flight with an unprecedented level of personal space, in their very own private cabin in the sky. The exquisite new product offerings, together with the special service from our world-renowned cabin crew, will delight the most discerning of our customers.”

Designed by leading French luxury yacht designer Jean-Jacques Coste, the Suites utilise space in an intelligent design to ensure passengers’ experiences are even more luxurious.

Each of the Suites open to a plus and luxurious leather seat, and is fully adjustable with a simple-to-use electronic control panel to create a variety of sitting and lounging positions.

A full-sized flat bed with plush mattress is built into each Suite, and does not utilize the seat as part of the sleeping surface, allowing customers to rest in bed as they might do at home.

For those customers who intend to work on their flights, the Singapore Airlines Suite can be transformed into a stylish office in the sky complete with chaise lounge for companion seating. The large height-adjustable table can function as either a workstation, meeting table or large dining table.

There is an in-seat power supply for customers travelling with laptops, as well as a thumb-drive USB port.

For those that prefer to enjoy the entertainment offered, KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines entertainment system just got bigger.

Suite passengers can enjoy watching movies on their own sleek 23-inch personal high-resolution widescreen LCD, or listen to music in the equally premium headsets provided.

The new KrisWorld offers 100 movies, more than 180 TV programmes and a choice of 700 different music CDs, as well as games and video-on-demand. The new office application allows passengers to save work by plugging in their USB drive to save and edit files.

The Singapore Airlines Suites also offers an array of gourmet offerings including those designed exclusively by top chefs on the airlines’ International Culinary Panel.

Passengers in the Suites will also be able to enjoy an exclusive Ferragamo amenity kit available only on the A380.

Peter

I guess I won't be able to afford if it I had to ask for the price of a ticket

Naw, I think I'll pass, I'll pay economy so that I can have a few Baht left for a couple of cold ones

[think_too_mut]

The new KrisWorld offers 100 movies, more than 180 TV programmes and a choice of 700 different music CDs, as well as games and video-on-demand. The new office application allows passengers to save work by plugging in their USB drive to save and edit files.

The Singapore Airlines Suites also offers an array of gourmet offerings including those designed exclusively by top chefs on the airlines’ International Culinary Panel.

Passengers in the Suites will also be able to enjoy an exclusive Ferragamo amenity kit available only on the A380.

Nice to know I could flip through that - but all I ever watch on the screen is flight progress map, hate comunal screens as they turn on a movie a don't want to know about.

As for price of Airlines Suites - that's where FF miles will end up - in upgrades or point redemptions.

I was once on a BA flight in first class on points, near me was a woman with 3 teenage children.

Those who can pay 13,000$ for 4 passenges (52,000$ for all) to fly First class would be flying their own jets already.

Edited October 16, 2007 by think_too_mut

[Tywais]

I guess I won't be able to afford if it I had to ask for the price of a ticket

Naw, I think I'll pass, I'll pay economy so that I can have a few Baht left for a couple of cold ones

Probably enough left over to start up your own bar.

[A_Traveller]

Presently the SIA website shows a price of SGD 5,163.00 = THB 112,050.52 {their estimate} for SkySuite on flight SQ221 A380:- [20:30 20th Nov 2007] which is the same price as First Class on the 747-400 on the route.

Regards

Edited October 16, 2007 by A_Traveller

[cdnvic]

Take a virtual tour of the interiors. The First Class Suites are something else.

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/cont...p/new/index.jsp

[cdnvic]

Singapore Lays Out Welcome for A380 Jet

By VIJAY JOSHI

The Associated Press

October 16, 2007

Singapore laid out a grand welcome for its brand new Airbus A380, the world's largest plane that arrives Wednesday from the assembly line in France for a history-making journey next week.

The jetliner was delivered to Singapore Airlines on Monday in Toulouse, France, and was scheduled to touch down Wednesday evening at the Changi Airport. After one week's preparations, the plane will create history when it makes its first commercial flight on Oct. 25 to Sydney.

The double-decker jetliner, which took seven years and about $13 billion to develop, rolled off the assembly line nearly two years behind schedule.

But the wait was worth it, said Singapore Airlines, which has created a massive sense of anticipation and hype around the revolutionary plane's entry into the airline industry. It has been touted as a highly fuel-efficient aircraft with the most silent cabin among all large passenger jets.

'We are glad that Airbus took the time to make sure that the plane is fully tested and developed before it enters commercial service,' said Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Chew Choon Seng.

The superjumbo will be greeted with a water salute _ after landing it will taxi to its gate under a canopy of water sprayed by fire trucks positioned on both sides of the tarmac. A lion dance outside the plane will greet the crew before Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong boards the aircraft for a tour.

Singapore Airlines, recognized as one of the best airlines in the world, is known for its top-end service. But it appears to have gone the extra mile to equip the A380 with the best amenities.

The front portion of the plane will be occupied by 12 first class luxury suites, each equipped with a proper bed, a 23-inch flat panel television, working table, a reclining chair and gourmet food. Two of the suites will have double beds.

The upper deck will accommodate 60 business class passengers on state-of-the art seats that recline to turn into horizontal beds. Economy class, spread over both decks, will have 399 seats.

The aircraft is large enough to squeeze in about 800 economy class seats, but this jet is configured to seat 471 people _ which means that even its least-paying passengers will have more leg room and knee room than on other flights, according to Singapore Airlines.

Airbus' A380's nearest rival, the Boeing 747, can carry up to 568 people in a two-class configuration.

Singapore Airlines first announced its intention to become an A380 customer in September 2000, when the superjumbo jet was still a concept. It placed an order for 10 A380s and options on a further 15.

The firm order was increased to 19 in July 2006. At catalog prices, the commitment to the 19 firm orders, including engines and spares, is worth about $5.7 billion. But airlines typically get discounts, which are rarely disclosed.

Airbus, a European consortium, is committed to handing over 13 planes to Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Quantas in 2008, 25 in 2009, and 45 in 2010.

Officials say production will be the biggest challenge for the problem-ridden project, which was initially estimated to cost $10.7 billion. But the company warned that delays and cost overruns could raise the development cost by another $2.1 billion.

With 189 orders or firm commitments, Airbus is hoping to see 200 on its books by year-end.

Airbus has already been hit with penalties for late delivery of the A380, which combined with spiraling development costs wiped billions of euros off profits.

http://www.topix.net/world/singapore/2007/...-for-a380-jet-2

[JimsKnight]

I like it! Even the economy class has plug sockets for laptops!!

Anybody going to treat themselves to the Dreamliner???

[cdnvic]

I like it! Even the economy class has plug sockets for laptops!!

Anybody going to treat themselves to the Dreamliner???

I'll go out of my way to try both as soon as I can.

[cdnvic]

PM impressed with SIA's work on A380

SINGAPORE Airlines' superjumbo got the thumbs up from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who toured the aircraft when it arrived at Changi Airport last evening.

Emerging from the Airbus A380 docked at Gate A4 at the soon-to-be-opened Terminal 3 after a visit lasting about 45 minutes, Mr Lee said when asked if he was impressed:

'Oh yes. I think Singapore Airlines has put a lot of work in.

'That the aeroplane is new is one thing, but the thought and the design which has gone into the interiors, the service for the first class or the business class or the economy class - I think it is something different.'

The plane, the first of 19 that SIA has bought, arrived at Changi after a 12-hour flight from Toulouse in France, where its maker Airbus is based.

The extra space offered by the biggest passenger jet ever built did not escape Mr Lee.

He said he especially liked that, despite being 'a bit taller than most people', he could fit into the new economy class seats.

Each seat there is 19 inches wide, about two inches more than those on the existing Boeing 747, SIA's current biggest passenger jet in commercial service.

Business class seats are 34 inches wide, compared to 20 inches on the B-747, which the new giant is meant to replace. Each seat also comes with a 15.4-inch in-flight entertainment screen.

SIA is fitting the aircraft with just 471 seats - 12 suites, 60 in business class and 399 in economy - to offer customers more space and luxury.

Of the 'beyond first class' private cabins that will give a couple the option of taking a double bed screened off by sliding doors and roller blinds, Mr Lee said it was something that could be offered to honeymooning couples.

'It is very nicely done. There is a lot of space. I would imagine most of the time the business class is already very good, so this is something extra.'

Piloting the big bird on this historic flight to home base was a four-member crew led by SIA's A380 chief pilot Captain Robert Ting.

http://travel.asiaone.com/Travel/News/Stor...1018-30715.html

[Shrubbery]

Is there a delivery schedule available for the 380.

Who's next in line, estimated delivery date, quantity etc

[cdnvic]

Airbus plans to deliver 13 in 2008, Five to Singapore, and four each to Emirates and Qantas.