AVIATION

THAI takes delivery of first Airbus A380

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai Airways International (THAI) has taken delivery of its first A380, becoming the ninth airline to operate the world's largest and most eco-efficient airliner. The aircraft was handed over to Captain Montree Jumrieng, executive vice president technical, THAI, by Kiran Rao, Airbus's executive vice president sales and marketing, at a special ceremony in Toulouse today.

"With the A380 THAI will elevate its Royal Orchid Service to a new level," said Montree. "In every class we are offering a new dimension in passenger appeal, from redesigned seating to the latest entertainment systems. These features, combined with the aircraft's quiet and spacious cabin, will truly make the THAI A380 the smoothest way to fly."

THAI has ordered six A380s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. After the delivery of the first, the rest would be delivered from now until 2013.

The airline has specified a premium three class layout for its fleet, seating a total of 507 passengers. All classes feature new cabin designs, with 12 private suites in First Class, 60 fully flat sleeper seats in Royal Silk Class and 435 seats in Economy. All seats are equipped with the latest on-demand in-flight entertainment systems, communication outlets and individual power supply.

"We are extremely proud to welcome THAI as the latest operator of the A380," said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. "Today THAI joins a group of world class airlines that are redefining on-board comfort while flying more efficiently. With the A380 THAI will be well placed to meet the strong growth in air travel in the Asia-Pacific region in the most cost-effective way possible."

THAI will inaugurate commercial service with the A380 in early October on the Bangkok - Hong Kong and Bangkok - Singapore routes. As more aircraft are delivered, the airline will begin service to Frankfurt at the end of the year, followed by Tokyo and Paris early in 2013.

The A380 is capable of flying 8,500 nautical miles or 15,700 kilometres non-stop. From Bangkok this enables non-stop service with a full payload to any destination in Europe or one-stop service to anywhere in the US.

-- The Nation 2012-09-27

HS-TUA - in Hamburg, Germany.

It's been flying around for months already, in various states of livery completion, under the strict Airbus testing regime.

It does look nice.

Unfortunately, these planes are not making profits for most airlines. If my memory is correct, Thai Airways wanted to "pull out" of the order agreement, but could not because of law suits (I believe). There are always huge numbers of Hongkong folks flying into Bangkok for the weekend, so maybe it can be used there to take business away from Cathay Pacific's 5 flights daily on a Friday to BKK. Maybe the double decker can be used for the Moscow flights since the Russians make up a large number of tourists here. It will be interesting to see where they use these six airplanes ...

Unfortunately, these planes are not making profits for most airlines. If my memory is correct, Thai Airways wanted to "pull out" of the order agreement, but could not because of law suits (I believe). There are always huge numbers of Hongkong folks flying into Bangkok for the weekend, so maybe it can be used there to take business away from Cathay Pacific's 5 flights daily on a Friday to BKK. Maybe the double decker can be used for the Moscow flights since the Russians make up a large number of tourists here. It will be interesting to see where they use these six airplanes ...

Typically such aircraft were designed for long hauls..... Not short hops with many cycles and landings. Japan airlines found that out with a B747 many years back when the aft bulk head failed due to fatigue from short hops, killing all pax.

Unfortunately, these planes are not making profits for most airlines. If my memory is correct, Thai Airways wanted to "pull out" of the order agreement, but could not because of law suits (I believe). There are always huge numbers of Hongkong folks flying into Bangkok for the weekend, so maybe it can be used there to take business away from Cathay Pacific's 5 flights daily on a Friday to BKK. Maybe the double decker can be used for the Moscow flights since the Russians make up a large number of tourists here. It will be interesting to see where they use these six airplanes ...

Start Dates

Bangkok-Singapore (October 28th 2012)

Bangkok-Hong Kong (October 28th 2012)

Bangkok-Paris (February 16th 2013)

Bangkok-Tokyo (January 16th 2013)

Bangkok-Frankfurt (December 15th 2012)

In respect to Russian service

June 21, 2012– Transaero Airlines, Russia’s second largest airline, has completed a purchase agreement with Airbus for four A380 aircraft. The Russian carrier plans to start operations with the A380 on its long-range network of high density routes from Moscow. The aircraft will feature a three class cabin layout, seating about 700 passengers.

Transero flies to BKK and HKT. It will be interesting to see if the planned expansion at HKT will accomodate the A380.

BTW, because the A380 can carry more pax than a B747, it offers a more revenue per seat opportunity on high density routes. I would expect TG to be using the A380 on the routes where it has its highest pax loads.

I would expect TG to be using the A380 on the routes where it has its highest pax loads.

I would expect TG to be using the A380 on the routes where it thinks it can get the highest revenue from pax loads.

Irrespective, let's hope they fixed the sink holes in the runways as these little suckers hit at a lot more than a 767!

My thoughts too asiawatcher

i wonder if swampy will hold up to it big aircraft and heavy with more and more going to swampy

how long will it be before they are redoing the runways? again

won't be using Thai airways until they get either the 777 or this on the London route

won't be using Thai airways until they get either the 777 or this on the London route

Just fly SQ. It's Star Alliance, and then you can fly into either Bangkok, Phuket or Chiang Mai on a variety of different airlines.

Unfortunately, these planes are not making profits for most airlines. If my memory is correct, Thai Airways wanted to "pull out" of the order agreement, but could not because of law suits (I believe). There are always huge numbers of Hongkong folks flying into Bangkok for the weekend, so maybe it can be used there to take business away from Cathay Pacific's 5 flights daily on a Friday to BKK. Maybe the double decker can be used for the Moscow flights since the Russians make up a large number of tourists here. It will be interesting to see where they use these six airplanes ...

Typically such aircraft were designed for long hauls..... Not short hops with many cycles and landings. Japan airlines found that out with a B747 many years back when the aft bulk head failed due to fatigue from short hops, killing all pax.

That bulkhead failure was caused by a poor repair. The aircraft had a landing" incident" necessitating repairs to the bulkhead. By mistake a single row of rivets was used instead of the required double row, causing the bulkhead to fail.

Is it just me or does the A380 look far smaller than the B747 when viewed up close?

Unfortunately, these planes are not making profits for most airlines. If my memory is correct, Thai Airways wanted to "pull out" of the order agreement, but could not because of law suits (I believe).

Thai wanted to pull out because they didn't have the money and had bitten off more than they could chew. Singapore Airlines seem happy enough with their 19 and Emirates have 67 more on order. In total, there are 173 on order to be delivered over the next few years.

won't be using Thai airways until they get either the 777 or this on the London route

Why? What don't you like about the A340?

Is it just me or does the A380 look far smaller than the B747 when viewed up close?

I think it looks smaller in the air. Must be the stockier body.

They are great at airshows. They do stuff you wouldn't normally expect from an airliner.

Unfortunately, these planes are not making profits for most airlines. If my memory is correct, Thai Airways wanted to "pull out" of the order agreement, but could not because of law suits (I believe). There are always huge numbers of Hongkong folks flying into Bangkok for the weekend, so maybe it can be used there to take business away from Cathay Pacific's 5 flights daily on a Friday to BKK. Maybe the double decker can be used for the Moscow flights since the Russians make up a large number of tourists here. It will be interesting to see where they use these six airplanes ...

Typically such aircraft were designed for long hauls..... Not short hops with many cycles and landings. Japan airlines found that out with a B747 many years back when the aft bulk head failed due to fatigue from short hops, killing all pax.

That bulkhead failure was caused by a poor repair. The aircraft had a landing" incident" necessitating repairs to the bulkhead. By mistake a single row of rivets was used instead of the required double row, causing the bulkhead to fail.

China Airlines did something similar with similar results.

Irrespective, let's hope they fixed the sink holes in the runways as these little suckers hit at a lot more than a 767!

I was thinking more along the lines of, 'how well tested are all of those expensive tyres, if it will be used for non-long-haul use!'

They, in themselves will need a lot of replacing, more than needed for long haul flights, if the craft is used for short-hauls.

That would rocket seat prices.......... and I wonder if this has, indeed, actually, been accounted for?

-mel.

It's simple math - Malaysian is now flying KL-LHR with the A380 it consumes 1181 barrels of fuel carrying 494 passengers, whilst the 747 holds 359 passengers yet burns 999 barrels.

Now my question is why have the fuel surcharges not been lowered.................when the A380 takes to the air?

It's simple math - Malaysian is now flying KL-LHR with the A380 it consumes 1181 barrels of fuel carrying 494 passengers, whilst the 747 holds 359 passengers yet burns 999 barrels.

Now my question is why have the fuel surcharges not been lowered.................when the A380 takes to the air?

lower the fuel charges and add a "we just bought an expensive new aeroplane charge"

It's simple math - Malaysian is now flying KL-LHR with the A380 it consumes 1181 barrels of fuel carrying 494 passengers, whilst the 747 holds 359 passengers yet burns 999 barrels.

Now my question is why have the fuel surcharges not been lowered.................when the A380 takes to the air?

lower the fuel charges and add a "we just bought an expensive new aeroplane charge"

LOL I know what you're saying but the "New Aeroplane" charge should be reflected in the fare.

Search BKK - FRA whilst the 777/747 Fuel surcharge 10,300THB RT, when the A380 hits 10,300 same same.

Is it just me or does the A380 look far smaller than the B747 when viewed up close?

I fly the Emirates 380 to HK twice a month, looking out from the top deck window while taxying you look down on the 747 and they seem very small from inside the 380.

Irrespective, let's hope they fixed the sink holes in the runways as these little suckers hit at a lot more than a 767!

I was thinking more along the lines of, 'how well tested are all of those expensive tyres, if it will be used for non-long-haul use!'

They, in themselves will need a lot of replacing, more than needed for long haul flights, if the craft is used for short-hauls.

That would rocket seat prices.......... and I wonder if this has, indeed, actually, been accounted for?

-mel.

That would be factored into ticket prices.. They get replaced every 150 or so landings.. Or sooner if they blow up....

It's simple math - Malaysian is now flying KL-LHR with the A380 it consumes 1181 barrels of fuel carrying 494 passengers, whilst the 747 holds 359 passengers yet burns 999 barrels.

Now my question is why have the fuel surcharges not been lowered.................when the A380 takes to the air?

... maybe TG wants their pax to pay their planes they can't afford ?

won't be using Thai airways until they get either the 777 or this on the London route

Why? What don't you like about the A340?

I don't find the A346 very comfortable on long haul; for some reason the plane flies at quite a steep angle (pointing upwards) and it doesn't deal with turbulence as well as either the boeings 777 or 747. The seat room is less than the TG 747 so on a busy flight the cabin feels cramped and stuffy with the sheer number of passengers.

Edited September 27, 201213 yr by fish fingers

THAI CEO showing off their new Airbus A380

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFHdvrqZdVE

Edited September 27, 201213 yr by Nisa

Is it just me or does the A380 look far smaller than the B747 when viewed up close?

Must be you, terminal three Chiangi you can get up close , they are bloody huge , you can tell a 380 buy its tail , the tallest on the block, three stories high, sit next to one in a A/B330 and you are in a small plane

My thoughts too asiawatcher

i wonder if swampy will hold up to it big aircraft and heavy with more and more going to swampy

how long will it be before they are redoing the runways? again

The 380 has been landing their over a year from other carriers with no problems, negative view point really,as airlines are rather particular about their planes, except a few that operate around Indo and Africa.

Is it just me or does the A380 look far smaller than the B747 when viewed up close?

Must be you, terminal three Chiangi you can get up close , they are bloody huge , you can tell a 380 buy its tail , the tallest on the block, three stories high, sit next to one in a A/B330 and you are in a small plane

I obviously need to cut down on the Chang...

So Thai air will have 6 new up to date planes and the majority of the fleet will be crap.

won't be using Thai airways until they get either the 777 or this on the London route

Interesting view, the 777 is ok but no better than the current airbus on the route I think, certainly not special.