The A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world. A380 passenger capacity – Airbus a380: Airbus is the largest aircraft, technical characteristics (performance characteristics), cabin capacity, weight, dimensions. photo, interior diagram, best seats

Airbus A380- This is the largest aircraft in the world. More precisely, a passenger plane.

The height of this giant is 24 meters (~ 8th floor of a residential building), the length and wingspan are almost 80 meters. On 2 decks in a three-class cabin, 525 passengers can freely accommodate, in a single-class configuration - 853!

12 billion euros were spent on the development of the Airbus A380. It can make non-stop flights over a distance of up to 15,400 km, and the maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is amazing - 560 tons.

welcome aboard the largest passenger aircraft in the world!

At the beginning of October, another dream related to aviation came true. Lufthansa invited you on a press tour to show off one of its new Airbus aircraft A380. The demonstration flight took place as part of a promotional campaign for the A380 show in European capitals.

We managed not only to board the regular A380, but also to make a circular journey on a giant plane along the route Frankfurt - Prague - Budapest - Frankfurt, be with the pilots in the cockpit and film the work of the pilots during takeoff, flight and landing.

In ordinary life, these giants will not land at any such airport, so many were waiting for the arrival of the A380 in the capitals of the Czech Republic and Hungary. Looking ahead, I will say that I did not even expect such ceremonial meetings and such a number of spectators.

The sun rose, it was time for us to take off:

First floor of an A380-800 modification aircraft- these are three economy class cabins for 420 passengers. In total, this A380 carries 526 passengers. By the end of the year, Lufthansa will already have 8 of the 18 ordered. The company is investing about five billion euros in aircraft and airport infrastructure, maintenance, and crew training.

Passenger seats Lufthansa's economy class was developed by the famous German company Recaro. To be honest, I didn’t really like them - the backs are a bit thin and any movement of the passenger in front affects the comfort of the person behind.

Excellent design portholes. With their standard external size inside the aircraft, they appear large due to the enlarged internal frame. This large oval creates the impression of open space inside the cabin.

The plane is very “quiet”, the engines are almost inaudible. I was surprised by the short takeoff run - I was watching the takeoff in Budapest, I thought that we would be running along the runway for a long time, but the plane took off almost immediately.

The multimedia center with a 9″ screen is very good. In addition to the standard set with music, movies and games, the monitor displays images from three external cameras and full information about the flight. Distance between seats 79 cm, seat width 52 cm:

During the flight, the aircraft interiors were completely at our disposal - we could walk everywhere, sit, lie down, press buttons, climb into all the holes.

Standard breakfast and lunch sets were demonstrated. Special thanks, of course, to Lufthansa for the metal devices in economy class. It’s high time for Aeroflot to switch to them.

For ease of photographing, I asked the flight attendant to turn on full lighting in the cabins. It didn't get noticeably better, but still:

On the second floor- two business class cabins. They say that the company's management doesn't really like these seats and they will change them. There are 98 of them here - an incredible number for an ordinary person. passenger airliner. The set of options is standard for a modern business class - almost horizontal folding, individual light, socket and USB port for each:

In business class monitors size 10.6″, distance between seats from 145 to 152 cm, seat width 67 cm:

Between the business class and first class cabins there is a huge vestibule with a kitchen and seats for flight attendants:

A subject of special pride for any serious airline - first class cabin. In the Lufthansa A380 it is designed for eight passengers. Everything here is done practically, but without frills, such as separate cabins. Eight chairs that transform into beds, each seat has a 17″ monitor. Distance between seats 213 cm, seat width 80 cm:

Lufthansa calls these seats the best in their class:

Each first class passenger has his own wardrobe for clothes and belongings:

First class passengers have two such toilet rooms. There is no shower here; the Germans consider it unnecessary; in their experience, few people use a shower during a flight.

A flight from Frankfurt to Tokyo and back will cost a first class passenger 10,000 euros:

So, we are flying to Prague. They are already ready for the ceremonial welcome of the A380 megaliner:

Lufthansa chief pilot Werner Knorr:

The cockpit equipment resembles that installed in the A330 or A321 - in front of the pilots there is only a keyboard and a joystick on the side:

There are hundreds of people below, along the entire landing route - people are standing on the field, on the hills, on the roofs of houses:

I asked one of the Czech photographers at the airport to send me a couple of shots of our flight. Thank you, Vojtech.

The cost of one A380 is $345 million.

To the right of the entrance to the cabin is the crew rest cabin:

You can get to the second floor by two stairs - in front and behind economy class:

A380 at Budapest Airport:

The Airbus A380 is a passenger double-decker (double-decker) jet aircraft. Today it is the largest and most spacious airliner in the world. Officially, its development began in 2000, the first flight was made in 2005, and in 2007 it was fully put into operation by the companies that pre-ordered it.

Airbus A380 review

The Airbus A380 has several modifications:

• Basic models Airbus A380-800, 842, 861, 862. The length reaches about 73 meters. The difference lies in the installed engines: GP72XX and Trent 900. The ability to vary the on-board temperature from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius, thanks to internal 16 temperature zones, has become unique;
• A380-800F. Cargo model of an airplane. For some time, Airbus S.A.S. accepted orders for the supply of such a modification, but its production was shelved until the design of the passenger version was fully adjusted. The specific timing is still unknown;
• A380-900. Currently in the design stage. It is 7 meters longer than the original version, and if the aircraft goes into mass production, it will be the longest and most powerful. The possible flight distance will reach 14,200 km;
• A380-1000. It is planned to be the most spacious airliner. In the future, it will be able to accommodate 1,073 passengers exclusively in economy class and 757 people in three classes. The start of use is expected to date from 2020-2025. The length of the aircraft is 87 meters;
• A380plus. IN this moment This modification is being tested. On board will be able to accommodate 80 more people than in the basic version, and will also reduce fuel consumption and operating costs.

Airbus A380 passenger cabin design

Airbus a380-800 Emirates interior diagram

The aircraft has an upper and lower deck, which are connected by two staircases, at the nose and tail of the aircraft. Various modifications of the A380 accommodate first class, business economy and premium economy classes.

First grade

On an Airbus A380 passenger aircraft, as a rule, first class seats are located at the very beginning. Everyone already knows that these places are the best, and the attitude towards the passenger is as if he were a guest of a five-star hotel. Each chair here can be converted into a small bed. The first class section may even have a shower, which is widely used by some airlines.

However, not everything is so smooth and the “suite” also has its drawbacks: these are seats located in the 1st and 4th rows, located in close proximity to the toilet. Also, opposite the 1st row there is a staircase connecting the two decks of the plane, and not every passenger will like such a neighborhood.

Business Class

Business class in the Airbus A380 is located immediately behind the first. There are also comfortable armchairs that can be turned into a bed if desired. The distance between the seats is sufficient, so you can easily stretch your legs to their full length. Passengers are provided with a minibar, which is usually included in the ticket price.

Economy class

On the bottom or main (if the plane consists entirely of one class) there is an economy class. It amounts to 399 seats in the classic layout offered by the manufacturer. The seats here do not lie flat, as in first and business class, but they are quite comfortable. According to the world standard, the distance for the legs between the rows reaches 80 cm. Each passenger has his own screen installed in the back of the previous seat, the ability to watch video, listen to audio, a USB connector and paid Internet. Availability of the latter will depend on the airline.

Best places

As stated earlier, ideal places on this airliner they are in first and business class. In economy you can also get a good job on rows 45, 54 and 82. The seats are located far from the toilets and technical areas, there are no seats in front, which means there is plenty of legroom. Rows 68 and 81 would also be good. They are located near the windows and are considered one of the most comfortable in economy class.

Rows 43, 52, 67 and 80 are considered “average” in terms of convenience. There is enough space between the seats, but technical rooms and a toilet are located nearby, which can cause inconvenience. The worst seats are in row 88. This is where the wall is located, because of which the seat and the toilet room do not recline, where passengers scurry back and forth. It is better to buy tickets here when there are no other options.

Photo of the cabin in economy class:

Main characteristics

The Airbus 380 has a wide fuselage (aisle). It is unique in its kind, which is why it is in great demand among many airlines, both domestic and foreign. The cockpit is the same for all models. Airbus S.A.S. uses this tactic. used to save on crew training.

The Airbus 380 airliner has the following specifications:

• Number of seats as standard - 525;
• Capacity - 853;
• Cabin width - 6.5 m;
• Length - 72.7 m;
• Height - 24.1 m;
• Wing span - 80 m;
• Wing area - 845 sq. m;
• Empty aircraft weight - 276.8 thousand kg;
• Takeoff weight - 560 thousand kg;
• Landing weight - 386 thousand kg;
• Weight without fuel - 361 thousand kg;
• Fuel tank capacity - 310 thousand liters;

Aircraft flight data:

• Maximum flight altitude - 13.1 thousand m;
• The maximum flight distance with a full load is 15 thousand km;
• Run length - 2.9 thousand m;
• Take-off run length - 2 thousand m;
• Engines - 4 R-R Trent 970 or 4 Alliance GP7270.

History of creation

The development of the wide-body aircraft project was started by Airbus S.A.S. back in 1994. Then it was planned to compete with the then monopolist Boeing with its Boeing-747 airliner. Initially, the future brainchild of Airbus had the code name A3XX. The designers wanted to combine two fuselages of the company's largest aircraft at that time, the A340, but this would have led to a significant decrease in flight parameters, an increase in the acceleration length and total weight.

It was decided to use a two-deck model, which gave the car a number of advantages. The project started in 2000, and the amount of planned costs reached 8.8 million euros. The name of the aircraft also has interesting story. Instead of A340, it received the number A380. In a number of Asian countries, eight is considered a lucky number and this probably served as a positive impetus for customers to purchase an airliner.

Construction was completed in 2005 and the aircraft was demonstrated at the airfield in Toulouse. During the tests, engineers identified errors in the design of the wing and it had to be changed in a timely manner. Full tests on the ground and in the air were completed at the end of 2007 and the A380 received European certificates of conformity.

Where is it produced?

Fuselage cross-section

The aircraft is manufactured by the European company Airbus S.A.S., based in Toulouse (France). It also has several offices in Germany, Spain, France and the UK and two factories in Blagnac (a suburb of Toulouse) and Hannover (Germany). The company's activities began in 1969 after the merger of several small European aircraft manufacturing companies. Not only is development being carried out here passenger aircraft, but also trucks, as well as vehicles adapted for military needs.

Cost of different models

The price of various modifications of the A380 can vary greatly. Its growth is also affected by the unstable economic situation in the world. Recently, there has been a steady trend towards higher prices for aircraft. And in general, the airliner itself of this model is considered the most expensive in the entire Airbus family.

The current price of the Airbus A380-800 is US$428 million. The company is still silent about the cost of the models, the production of which is planned to begin in the near future, and the final figure is known only to airlines that have placed pre-orders. Every year prices rise by about 2-3%. A total of 219 vehicles were sold and put into operation, and another 317 are under construction. This information is provided by the official Airbus representative office.

News, modernization, prospects

There are several cases where the order for the A380-800 was placed by important people and famous people. For example, the most common story was about the prince Saudi Arabia, who bought the company's own A380 Super Jambo, whose final cost was $488 million.

There was an opinion that this plane was capable of damaging airport runways, but this turned out to be untrue. The landing gear pressure turned out to be much less than that of its main competitors Boeing 747 and 777. In Russia, the first airport adapted to receive the wide-body A380 was Moscow Domodedovo. Order on restructuring runway was published by the air transport agency in Russia.

The A380 is a true world record holder. It has the quietest passenger cabin noise levels, is the most fuel-efficient and largest aircraft available today.

Due to the large size of the aircraft, 597 kg of paint have to be spent on painting it, and total area surface reaches 10 thousand square meters. m. Also, thanks to the expanded wing area, the airliner's speed is 35 km/h lower than that of its main competitor. This allows you to reduce possible noise at the airport during landing or takeoff.

At the moment, the development of the A380-1000 and A380plus is actively underway. A huge number of airlines have already issued pre order on newest aircraft and passengers can only wait for modern cars to go into operation and delight us with their reliable build quality and speed.

Watch a video about the Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

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photo, interior diagram, best seats

There are a huge number of different airliners in the world, but the Airbus A380-800 is the aircraft that is really worth paying attention to. There are not very many airliners like this on the planet. The fact is that this is the largest passenger wide-body aircraft, equipped with two decks. Let's consider what technical characteristics the A380 has, as well as the layout of the A380 aircraft cabin.

Specifications of the largest airliner

In order to understand how large and spacious the Emirates A380 is, you need to understand its technical characteristics in detail. Let's start with how much the Airbus A380 weighs. So, the mass of the aircraft is:

• without passengers - 276 thousand kg;
• without passengers and fuel - 361 thousand kg;

As for other parameters, the capacity of the Airbus A380 is 853 people in a single-class model and 525 passengers in a three-class cabin. The length of the aircraft is 72.7 meters, height – 24 meters, and wingspan – 79 meters.

Extra options:

• wing area – 844 m2;
• take-off length – 2000 m;
• run length – 3000 m;
• a path capable of covering 15,000 km when fully loaded;
• fuel tank capacity – 310 thousand liters.

This airliner has a special cockpit for pilots, where the most modern technologies have been introduced. The A380 is equipped with a glass cockpit and remote control of the steering wheel when operating electric drives. As for the devices on which the data is displayed, this aircraft has 9 interchangeable LCD screens, of which:

• 2 are for navigation data;
• 2 main ones for flight information;
• 2 indicators of the functioning of fuel units;
• 2 – multifunctional;
• 1 main one, which shows general information.

If we talk about engines, they are super powerful and modern. Mixtures of aviation kerosene with GTL from environmentally friendly gas are used as fuel. And in the design of this aircraft Composite materials are used. Weldable aluminum alloys are also used.

Detailed diagram of the Airbus A380-800 aircraft

As for the noise level, the engines on the Emirates A380 are almost inaudible. This makes it significantly superior to the Boeing 747. The airliner also has high air pressure, which is another of its features. Both decks are connected by a comfortable and spacious staircase. Although it is not easy for passengers whose seats are located near these stairs, because it is very difficult to fall asleep if you are constantly walking. But some still buy tickets for them.

The cabin width is 5.9-6.5 m. In the one-class version, passengers are offered 700 seats, and in the three-class version – 555 seats. There is also a shower, lounge, bar and shop on board. Let's take a closer look at the layout of the cabin of this aircraft, as well as what best places for long-distance flights.

Airbus A380-800 Emirates: interior layout

Thanks to the photo of the Airbus A380 interior attached to this article, you can see how the passenger seats are located. The ship has two floors in total. On the 2nd there are seats for first and business class tourists. The 1st floor is designed for those flying in economy class. First class is more comfortable. Even those passengers who are having a hard time traveling in this class will be able to relax and forget about their poor health.

Rows 1-4 are just used for first class. There, everyone can reach their destination in comfort, because everyone is accommodated in a separate compartment with a door, thanks to which they can be completely private. Travelers also have comfortable chairs that can fold out 180 degrees, thus transforming into a bed. In addition, the first class cabin has Free access Internet, sockets for recharging mobile gadgets, a minibar and, of course, individual lighting, which allows you to read books, magazines, and newspapers.

Those who have ordered food in advance have the opportunity to have a hearty lunch or dinner with gourmet dishes, as well as taste cold or warm drinks. Among other things, there is a shower stall where you can freshen up. First class is like a real five-star all-inclusive hotel. In such comfort, the flight passes unnoticed. Moreover, there are places where it is especially convenient to sit. You need to know about this if you want to get to the right place as comfortably as possible. So, the most convenient places are those further away from the kitchen and toilet, since they are always quiet, calm and cozy: this is where you can read books, listen to music or communicate via email.

Travelers who choose business class are seated in rows 6-26. These places are also particularly comfortable. If you want to fly easily and discreetly, then business class is a very suitable option. The only thing, It is not advisable to occupy rows 7, 20, 21 and 23, since then you will have to sit near the toilets, bar and kitchen. There are always a lot of people near these premises, and the activity does not decrease even at night, which is why it is unlikely that you will be able to fully relax. The remaining places are more comfortable and have all the necessary amenities. Passengers can charge their gadgets, watch movies, play video games, chat on social networks and much more thanks to Internet access.

Economy class is an option for those who want to save money on their flight. For such passengers there are as many as 399 seats in rows 43-88. Of course, it’s difficult to call them comfortable. However, all these places have sockets for charging electronic devices, a separate screen and a video and audio entertainment system. However, those who want to get to their desired destination in silence will have to get used to some noise, passenger activity and conversations. But for a special fee, you can connect to the Internet, turn on loud music, put on headphones and “go crazy” until your arrival. The rows are spaced 80 cm apart.

Interior layout

Airbus A380-800 cabin layout: the best seats in economy class

If we talk about what the most comfortable places here, these are places in rows 45, 54 and 82. The 45th row features extra legroom for a more comfortable commute. This advantage is especially noticeable if the flight is long. The 54th row also allows you to stretch your legs freely, lean back, and there is also a kitchen and no restroom, so unpleasant odors are not as noticeable as on the 67th row. Row 82 is reminiscent of row 45 in that it offers the opportunity to stretch your legs and visit the galley.

As for other seats, the 43rd row is considered one of the most comfortable, but due to the fact that the seats there do not recline and the armrests are blocked, it is not included in the list of the most comfortable. Also, you can constantly hear the flight attendants talking and walking there, because there is a room for on-board conductors nearby.

Row 50 is located near the emergency exit block. If you are afraid of flying, then the seats in this row are just for you. In the event of a disaster, you will have the opportunity to be the first to leave the emergency aircraft. However, the seats there are not very comfortable, since they do not recline. Passengers in row 51 are also limited in this opportunity. That is why the 50th and 51st rows can safely be called the most uncomfortable, since a sitting position for 4-5 hours causes great discomfort. The seats in row 55 are also uncomfortable due to the lack of legroom.

Some disadvantages are also present in rows such as 78, 79, 65 and 66. They are located near the toilets, and the seats are not equipped with reclining backs.

Thus, getting to such places is extremely inconvenient, especially since unpleasant odors and constant queues in the toilet make it difficult to rest. Seats in row 67 are suitable for those traveling as a couple. The fact is that there are only two chairs in a row, and there is also the opportunity to recline your legs and straighten your knees. However, there is also a minus – the close proximity of restrooms, which makes it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.

One of the not entirely comfortable seats is in the 87th row, because there are also restrooms nearby. The seats in the 88th row are restless due to non-reclining backrests, stairs and toilets, which do not allow for a full rest. That is why you should not purchase tickets for these places. But they are cheaper, so they are chosen by fans of budget transportation.

Parameters of seats in the cabin

If we go deeper into the numbers, there are 12 seats in first class, 66 in business class, and 399 seats in economy class. The seat spacing in first class is 83 inches, in business class it is 74.5 inches, and in economy class it is 32 inches. Other data:

1. First grade. The monitor has HD extension.
2. Business Class. Monitor 15.6 inches.
3. Economy class. 11 inch monitor.

So, we examined in detail the layout of the A380 aircraft cabin. Obviously, this is a very spacious and comfortable aircraft on which you can quickly and comfortably fly to your destination. Now let’s figure out what people who have already flown on this plane think about the conditions in the Airbus cabin.

Airbus A380-800 interior

Advantages and disadvantages of the A380-800

As we have already found out, this aircraft is very spacious and large-scale. It’s not surprising, because this is the world’s largest aircraft. It was specially created so that it could transport a large number of passengers. We can safely say that the Airbus A380 has brought back the romance and excitement of flying to seasoned travelers. Anyone who has flown on this air transport will confirm that it has its own characteristics and flies to the most favorite places of tourists, namely London, Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Moscow, Dubai, Tokyo, Beijing, etc. It is thanks to this geography that passengers give preference to this aircraft, regularly flying on it. During the holiday season, flights on this Airbus are especially frequent.

Speaking about the advantages of the A380, it is necessary to note its spaciousness and spaciousness. It also takes off easily and lands just as easily. When flying over mountains or the sea, the vibrations are practically unnoticeable. Moreover, the salons are equipped with wide and comfortable seats. This is especially noticeable in those places where there are armrests, a reclining backrest and legroom. In addition, passengers note that the cabins are always very clean and comfortable. All maneuvers in the air are easy and pleasant.

Also, many travelers note that the lunches and breakfasts on board are very tasty, and the flight attendants are always friendly and polite. It must be said that not every aircraft has such good conditions for passengers. Many passengers call the A380 an aircraft whose conditions are comparable to the best brands of cars.

To summarize, it must be said that the Airbus A380-800 is a powerful flying machine in which everything is thought out to the smallest detail so that passengers can fly in comfort. Those who want to fly in comfort choose business class. There you can not only sleep, but also surf the Internet, reading e-books, listening to music and watching videos. It is very important to choose seats in time so that you can relax on the plane.

You can purchase air tickets both at the ticket office and through the official website of the airline that serves the flight. After reviewing the above information, you can decide in advance which place is better and make a purchase. In general, we have become familiar with the technical characteristics of the A380, and photos of the A380 aircraft will allow us to visually assess the capabilities of this aircraft. Today, many people prefer to fly on it, since compared to other airliners it is one of the most convenient and comfortable. That is why, if you want to get to your desired resort destination in comfort, then choose the A380, because it was specially created for large passenger transportation.

In contact with

Classmates

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Airbus A380-800 (Airbus A380-800)- flagship Air company bus and the largest passenger airliner in the world, taking this title from the Boeing 747.

The first flight took place on April 27, 2005, and two and a half years later, on October 25, 2007, the aircraft was put into operation.

In addition to winning the “largest passenger aircraft” category, the Airbus A380 set a number of equally significant records:

the most economical among the largest- When the airliner is fully loaded, per passenger, only about 3 liters of aviation fuel are consumed per 100 kilometers. According to Airbus, this is 20% less than its main competitor, the Boeing 747.

the most environmentally friendly among the largest Naturally, the less fuel is burned, the less carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. Also, in the manufacture of the liner, modern lightweight and durable composite materials developed in accordance with environmental standards are used.

The Airbus A380 can rightfully be called the flagship of modern passenger aviation, it is comfortable for both the crew and passengers:

• comfortable chairs
• wide passages and stairs
• always fresh and clean air - the ventilation and air conditioning system “refreshes” the air in the entire cabin every three minutes
• 220 portholes that provide natural light
• low noise level - the noise level in the A380 cabin is 50% lower than that of its main competitor
• in an airplane, air pressure is maintained equal to the pressure at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, for a Boeing 747 - 2500

All this ensures a comfortable flight and low fatigue for all passengers, regardless of class. “Further, quieter, more convenient and more economical” - this is the motto that perfectly characterizes the A380.

The Airbus A380 solves not only the problems of long-distance and ultra-long-distance routes, but also quite successfully copes with regional tasks. After all, the economical giant can replace other airliners on short flights with high passenger density.

And with a capacity of 400 to 853 passengers, it is the solution to easing congestion at busy airports and carrying more passengers without additional flights and at a much lower cost.

Main characteristics of the Airbus A340-600 (Airbus A340-600)

• Quantity seats varies (depending on the model) from 525 passengers in a three-class cabin and up to 853 people in a single-class cabin
• Maximum range of the a380 is 15,400 kilometers
• Fuel tank capacity - 320,000 l
• Cruising speed - 890 km/h

A380-800 wingspan- 79.75 meters

Length A380-800- 72.72 meters

Height A380-800- 24.09 meters

A380 interior layout and seating arrangement

The flagship Airbus A380 sets new standards in cabin design and overall passenger comfort, making full use of its two-story deck.

The aircraft was designed taking into account the needs of modern passengers and, in comparison with its competitors, provides:

• wider and more comfortable seats
• more space for storing personal belongings
• spacious passages and stairs

The number of seats varies from 525 (in a comfortable three-class configuration) to 853 in one class.

We have analyzed the diagrams of popular A380 layouts:

Diagram and photos Airbus cabin A380-800 Emirates

Airbus A380-800 Lufthansa interior diagram

The A380 is very flexible in terms of configurations and therefore aircraft layouts vary greatly.

As an example, we will give a diagram of the aircraft of the German giant carrier LuftHansa. The liner has a three-class cabin and the number of seats is 526.

airplane.org

Airbus A380 - review of the largest passenger aircraft

The passenger cabin of the Airbus A380 aircraft has two decks and can have two options. The first option is when the cabin is divided into three classes (first and business class on the upper deck and economy class on the lower deck, thus the capacity ranges from 516 to 525 people). The second version of the passenger cabin layout of the A380 aircraft provides only economy class, located on the upper and lower decks with a capacity of more than 644 people.

Review of the interior layout and location of the best seats

The three-class version of the passenger cabin provides for the location of the first class in the front part of the upper cabin. There is no point in proving that the seats here are the most comfortable, and the passenger service is reminiscent of that in a five-star hotel. Thus, each seat in the first cabin of the A380 aircraft looks like a closed separate compartment with a convenient door. The passenger seat can be folded out and turned into a comfortable bed. There are also services such as Internet and the ability to charge mobile devices. In addition, each of these “mini-compartments” has a large, convenient monitor and a mini-bar. For first class passengers, there are showers (as, for example, on Emirates Airline aircraft), and an exquisite restaurant menu is also provided.

However, it should be noted that even in first class there are places that have their drawbacks. These are the seats located in the first and fourth rows (according to the diagram), located very close to the toilets. Undoubtedly, passengers will visit the toilet at any time of the day, so the noise of the doors can seriously interfere with the rest of passengers. The close proximity of the service areas also means that staff will often walk past the first and fourth rows of first class, creating additional inconvenience. And, of course, in addition to everything, directly opposite the first row of seats there is a staircase leading down to the main deck, which, of course, will also not be conducive to proper rest, especially at night.

Business class also has very comfortable seats for passengers (although not as good as first class). So, each seat here is a cozy and comfortable chair, which, if necessary, can be unfolded and turned into a comfortable bed. There is also a good bar here, and the distance between the seats means you don’t have to worry about legroom at all. However, in the business class of the A380 aircraft there are seats with less comfort. These are, as in first class, seats located near the bar, as well as near the toilets, usually in the first and last rows. On the diagram of the upper passenger cabin of the Airbus A380 aircraft, these seats are indicated by rows 6, 21, 22 and 26. As for first class, the inconvenience of these seats is explained by the intense flow of passengers to bars and toilets at any time of the day, as well as the movement of service personnel. When booking tickets, you should take this factor into account and take seats in the rows listed above only in cases where there are no more tickets for other seats.

On the lower (or main) deck of the passenger cabin of the Airbus A380 aircraft there is an economy class, usually provided with 399 seats and, as a rule, occupying rows numbered from 43 to 88 (according to the diagram) and having two large aisles. Economy class seats on an Airbus cannot recline 180 degrees, but they are very soft and comfortable. The distance between rows is approximately 80 centimeters according to generally accepted standards. Each economy class seat has its own screen mounted in the seat in front and an audio/video system. Just like for seats in other classes, economy class seats are equipped with USB charging systems and the Internet, which, by the way, is paid on the Airbus A380 aircraft.

The most successful and convenient places here are seats with the letters D, E, F and G, located in rows 45, 54 and 82 of economy class. The convenience of these seats is due to the fact that they do not have seats in front of them, which means there is truly enormous legroom, and also that the toilets, bar and service areas are located quite far from them. Also, of course, the absence of seats in the front does not mean that these seats are not equipped with electronic displays for entertainment.

Also very good for relaxation and viewing in economy class are the seats with the letters A and K, located in rows 68 and 81. Their advantage is explained by the fact that these seats do not have other seats in front of them, and also that they are located near the windows, which makes them, as it were, “aside” from the general movement of passengers, which makes them one of the most profitable and comfortable in the entire economy class.

The seats located in rows 43, 52, 67 and 80 are also good seats. These seats also have more space in front of them, but at the same time they have the serious disadvantage of being close office premises and toilets and all the associated inconveniences.

The most unfortunate seats for economy class, and therefore for the entire Airbus A380 aircraft, are those located in row 88 (the rearmost) and the seats designated by the letters C and H. Their inconvenience lies, as in many cases, in the fact that , that right behind them there are toilets, to which there is always a flow of passengers, and at any time. The fact that the backs of the last seats are blocked does not add to the convenience of these seats, which limits the comfort for the passengers sitting in them.

The history of the Airbus A380

The beginning of the 90s of the last century in the aviation industry is characterized by the complete dominance of the Boeing 747 in the field of wide-body aircraft. Thus, Boeing managed to maintain an advantage here for almost 30 years, which forced many companies, such as McDonnell Douglas or Lockheed, to look for a solution that could provide a replacement for the Boeing 747 and gain a monopoly in the niche of wide-body airliners.

In the summer of 1994, Airbus also began creating its own wide-body aircraft, codenamed A3XX. Initially, options were considered for the possible combination of two fuselages of the Airbus A340 aircraft. This solution would have made it possible to significantly increase the passenger capacity of the aircraft, since the A340 was the company’s largest aircraft at that time. However, such a decision would also lead to a serious decrease in the aircraft’s flight characteristics, an increase in its weight and the required take-off run.

The development of the A3XX was carried out in partnership with Boeing, which was developing its own Boeing-747X model, also aimed at increasing the number of passengers and reducing operating costs at the same time. This partnership ended in 1996. And the very next year, 1997, Boeing closed its project due to the economic crisis that erupted in East Asia. Meanwhile, Airbus decided to use a double-deck design for the A3XX, which would provide the aircraft with a number of advantages.

In December 2000, the decision was made to launch the A3XX project, which initially required costs of about 8.8 billion euros. After this, the aircraft received a new name - A380. There are many hypotheses explaining why Airbus decided to “jump” from number 340 to 380. Thus, one of them says that the number 8 is a lucky number in a number of Asian countries that were potential customers for the future aircraft. Another version draws attention to the fact that the cross-section of the passenger cabin of the aircraft is very reminiscent of the number 8.

In the spring of 2001, the design of the Airbus A380 was finally approved, and already at the beginning of 2002, production of the first parts and components for the aircraft began. Parts for the aircraft were produced in 4 countries of the European Union, and their delivery to the assembly site in Toulouse was carried out by land and water transport, as well as by air.

At the beginning of 2005, the first Airbus A380 was built and demonstrated in Toulouse, and in April its first flight was carried out. At the same time, tests of the aircraft were carried out, during which, at the beginning of 2006, shortcomings in the wing design were identified. After this, the A380 wing design was urgently changed.

Ground and flight testing of the aircraft was completed in December 2007, when the Airbus A380 received certificates from EASA and FAA.

Description and characteristics of the Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 is a wide-body jet passenger aircraft. The passenger cabin of the aircraft consists of two decks. Due to its size and large capacity, the aircraft is the largest passenger airliner in the world. The aircraft's power plant consists of 4 engines. Depending on the modification, this is the Trent 900 from Rolls-Royce (for Airbus A-300-800), or the GP7000 from Engine Alliance (for other modifications of the Airbus).

Characteristics of the Airbus A380 aircraft:

• Length, m – 72.7
• Wingspan, m – 79.8
• Height, m ​​– 24.1
• Wing area, m2 – 845
• Weight:
  • Max. take-off, kg – 560,000
  • Max. landing, kg – 386,000
  • Empty weight, kg – 276,800
  • Max. weight without fuel, kg – 361,000
• Fuel tank capacity, l – 310,000
• Flight range with max. load, km – 15,000
• Ceiling (max. flight altitude), m – 13,100
• Run length, m – 2,050
• Run length, m – 2,900
• Engines:
  • R-R Trent 970 – 4 x 31780 kgf
  • Alliance GP7270 – 4 x 31780 kgf
• Passenger compartment:
  • Number of seats (single-class option) – 700
  • Number of seats (three-class version) – 555
  • Cabin width, m – 5.9-6.6

Airbus A380 modifications

There are the following modifications of the Airbus A380:

1. Airbus A380-800 is the base model of the airliner. A380-841 and A380-842 have a Trent 900 engine. Modifications A380-861 and A380-862 have a GP72XX engine.
2. Airbus A380-800F is a cargo modification of the A380 aircraft.
3. Airbus A380-900 is an extended modification of the airliner, currently under development. It will have increased passenger capacity (more than 900 people) and more powerful engines. Potential buyers will include airlines such as Emirates Airline, Lufthansa and others.
4. Airbus A380-1000 is a modification that will be larger in size than the A380-900 and accommodate more than 1,000 passengers. The project was proposed in 2010.

Airbus A380 operation

Operation of the Airbus A380 aircraft began in 2007. By the end of 2014, the number of airbuses in operation was already 139 vehicles, and the number of companies operating the aircraft was 10. So, greatest number The A380 is operated by Emirates Airline in a fleet of 67 aircraft. Other airlines use Airbuses in numbers from 5 to 19 aircraft, which, of course, cannot compare in number with Emirates Airline.

The aircraft can be found mainly on intercontinental flights. A larger number of airbuses are operated by Asian airlines (Emirates Airline, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air and others). Due to operating costs, which are 10-15% less than those for the Boeing 747, the Airbus A380 is a very popular aircraft today). Thus, due to its good price and characteristics, the A380 is in greatest demand by Emirates Airline, which plans to purchase several dozen more aircraft. At the same time, Emirates Airline also pays attention to cargo modifications of the Airbus. In addition, Emirates Airline orders aircraft with changes to increase comfort (for example, with showers for first class).

Conclusion

The Airbus A380 is the largest passenger aircraft in the world, with a capacity of 519 to 800 people. Reliability, reduced operating costs compared to other wide-body airliners and comfort make this aircraft in good demand in the market, especially in Asia. The main operator of the aircraft is currently Emirates airline Airline, which appreciated the Airbus. In addition, Emirates Airline, albeit indirectly, helps the development of the airliner, showing interest in its new modifications.

However, the Airbus Group in December 2014 announced a possible stop in production of the Airbus A380 aircraft. This is explained by the fact that the demand for this aircraft, according to the company’s management, is not great enough and has not been fully studied.

However, it is worth recognizing that, due to its performance and reliability, the Airbus A380 is a really good aircraft.

militaryarms.ru

Airbus a380: Airbus - the largest aircraft, technical characteristics (performance characteristics), cabin capacity, weight, dimensions

The creation and start of production of the double-deck wide-body airliner Airbus A380 put an end to the undivided monopoly of the Boeing 747 aircraft, which lasted for several decades. The car is the largest passenger airliner in the world.

Reliability and reduced operating costs ensure good demand for the machine, despite its high cost. The most expensive option was delivered to the family of the King of Saudi Arabia, and cost the customer 488 million US dollars.

History of creation

Work on a new large-sized Airbus airliner began in the late 80s. The aircraft was created as a competitor to the Boeing 747 airliner, which had a monopoly on the niche of such aircraft since the 70s. In parallel, a similar aircraft was being developed by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, but its project was a failure.

The management of Boeing and Airbus realized the limitations of the market for high-capacity aircraft, so in 1993 attempts were made to enter into a partnership agreement that would allow them to divide the market. In parallel, the development of projects was underway, called “Airbus” 3XX and “Boeing” 747X.

For the Airbus, several fuselage options were developed, including a twin-length fuselage from the 340 model. The Boeing aircraft was supposed to be equipped with a fuselage with a nose section increased in height.

Development of the Boeing project was stopped in early 1997 due to the emerging economic crisis in East Asia, which reduced the market for large aircraft.

Airbus decided to continue development of the project, concentrating on reducing operating costs while increasing capacity. It was then that the decision was made to use a double-deck fuselage, which ensured the maximum capacity of the aircraft.

The A380 designation appeared at the end of 2000, when the project was approved by the then management of Airbus. Assembly of the first aircraft began in 2002. A special feature of the production of the A380 aircraft was the use of the production facilities of several dozen enterprises scattered throughout Europe.

The first flight of the Airbus A380 took place in the spring of 2005, and already at the beginning of 2006 the first test flight across the Atlantic Ocean was carried out.

Finalizing the design and solving problems that arose with suppliers shifted the start of aircraft production to 2007, in which only one copy was delivered. Actual deliveries began only the following year, in which 12 A380 aircraft were assembled.

At the beginning of 2017, there were 207 Airbus A380 aircraft in active operation, owned by twelve airlines. During the operation of the aircraft, several minor flight accidents were recorded.

In particular, in the fall of 2017, on one of the Air France airliners, elements of a turbojet engine separated in flight. The cause of the incident was determined to be a manufacturing defect in the fan hub of the GP7200 engine.

Fuselage and cockpit

The fuselage of the Airbus A380-800 aircraft is equipped with two decks to accommodate passenger seats. Between the decks there are stairs located in the bow and tail of the passenger compartment. When laying out the stairs, it was possible to ensure a width sufficient for the free movement of passengers towards each other.

Carbon fiber composites are widely used in the fuselage structure.

The end section of the fuselage is entirely made of composite. A tail horizontal and vertical stabilizer is attached to it. Inside there is a service compartment and an auxiliary gas turbine unit with a generator.

In the forward part of the fuselage there is a pilot's cabin equipped with two seats. To display data, the cockpit is equipped with liquid crystal monitors (the “glass cockpit” concept) of a unified design that allows devices to be replaced.

Pilots do not have a traditional helm. The steering wheel is replaced by joysticks located on the outside of the seats. Joysticks are connected to electric drive controls. The cockpit contains more than 100 thousand wires connecting various electronic and electrical components.

In front of the pilots there is a folding table with a keyboard. Between the seats there are controls, including four throttle levers for controlling engine operating modes.

The Airbus A380 wing was created based on a take-off weight of at least 650 thousand kg, which is considered achievable on future versions.

In addition, this weight was planned for the cargo version of the A380-800F aircraft, which never went into production.

Engines

Depending on the modification, the Airbus A380 airliner can be equipped with Trent 900 family turbojet engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce or GP7200 developed by Engine Alliance.

The GP7200 powerplant is a collection of components developed by several major engine manufacturers. Both types of engines meet modern noise requirements during takeoff and landing.

The table shows some engine characteristics.

To reduce the travel distance, two engines have a thrust reverser (one under each wing). The engines use aviation kerosene as fuel.

Exploration work is underway to operate power plants using a mixture of kerosene and natural gas converted into liquid fuel. The fuel supply is stored in 13 caisson tanks located in the wings and horizontal tail.

The fuel system has 41 pumps that constantly move fuel between tanks to maintain alignment and reduce drag.

Passenger compartment design

The pressurized passenger cabin of the Airbus A380 aircraft has improved sound insulation. The width of the fuselage allows for 11 rows of passenger seats.

All places are connected to communication lines built on the basis of fiber optics.

Passengers board and disembark through two doors located in the forward fuselage on the lower deck.

First grade

The seats are located in the bow of the lower deck. There are 14 seats in total, 4 of which are located singly on the sides, the remaining 6 are located in the central row in pairs. A special feature of first class seats is the ability to be folded into a full-fledged berth.

At the beginning and end of the compartment there is a bathroom and a kitchenette. In addition, first class has a shower facility (not available on all Airbus A380s).

Business Class

Business class seats are located immediately behind first class. The seats are arranged in eight rows at a fairly large distance from each other. The design of the chairs allows the backrests to be folded out to form a sleeping area.

There are a total of 20 rows of seats, the total capacity of the business class cabin is 76 seats.

At the beginning and end of the salon there are kitchenettes and a bathroom. A bar counter is located in the area of ​​the first emergency exit. The second emergency exit is located towards the rear of the Airbus A380.

Economy class

Economy class seats on the Airbus A380 are located on the upper deck in three rows. The side rows have three seats, the central row has four. There are two aisles between the rows. There are bathrooms in the bow, stern and middle parts.

The cabin is designed for 399 passengers. Passenger seats are equipped with an individual screen mounted in the backrest. The economy class cabin has two kitchenettes and three bathrooms.

In the event of an emergency, economy class passengers can leave the Airbus A380 cabin through 10 emergency exits.

It is possible to expand the economy class cabin to the second deck. In this case, the capacity of the Airbus A380 reaches a record 853 passengers.

Chassis

In the scheme for extending and retracting the landing gear on the Airbus A380, a combined drive is used - from hydraulic systems (duplicated) and from electric actuators (also duplicated). Electric actuators operate the chassis via hydraulic systems.

In this way, it was possible to install four independent control systems, which increased the safety of the aircraft and reduced the risk of dangerous situations. The landing gear niches are closed with landing gear doors made of composite materials. The design of the doors is monolithic.

Flight performance compared to competitors

Prospects

In mid-2017, Airbus announced the creation of an improved A380 Plus. The main direction of improvements was to reduce the cost of the aircraft, which in theory should increase demand for the aircraft.

At the same time, the redesigned cabins are designed to accommodate a record 933 passengers. Capacity has been improved due to a tighter cabin layout and a reduction in the area of ​​service compartments.

Externally, the A380 Plus is not very different from its predecessor - the main changes affected the wing design, which should have reduced drag.

Modified Rolls-Royce and Engine Alliance power plants have reduced fuel consumption and increased thrust by 7%, but there is no official data on them in the public domain.

Video

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Airbus A380 (Airbus A380) - photos, videos, characteristics of the A380 aircraft

Airbus A380- a wide-body double-deck jet passenger aircraft created by Airbus S.A.S. (formerly Airbus Industrie) is the largest production airliner in the world.

The height of the aircraft is 24.08 meters, length is 72.75 (80.65) meters, wingspan is 79.75 meters. The A380 can fly non-stop over distances of up to 15,400 km. Capacity - 525 passengers in three classes; 853 passengers in single-class configuration. There is also a cargo modification of the A380F with the ability to transport cargo up to 150 tons over a distance of up to 10,370 km.

Among the big liners Airbus A380 is the most economical: 3.0 liters of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometers (54 nautical miles) of travel.

The maximum take-off weight of the airliner is 560 tons (the weight of the aircraft itself is 280 tons). Today, the A380 is also the world's largest passenger aircraft, surpassing the Boeing 747 in capacity, which can carry up to 525 passengers. The last one was the most big liner for 36 years, the absolute record for commercial use still belongs to the An-225 Mriya.

For development Airbus A380 it took about 10 years, the cost of the entire program was about 12 billion euros. Airbus says it needs to sell 420 planes to recoup its costs, although some analysts estimate the figure could be much higher.

According to the developers, the most difficult part in creating the A380 was the problem of reducing its weight. It was solved through the widespread use of composite materials both in structural structural elements and in auxiliary units, interiors, etc.

To reduce the weight of the aircraft, advanced technologies and improved aluminum alloys were also used. Thus, the 11-ton center section consists of 40% of its mass from carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The fuselage top and side panels are made from Glare hybrid material. Laser welding of stringers and skin was used on the lower fuselage panels, which significantly reduced the number of fasteners.

According to Airbus, per passenger Airbus A380 burns 17% less fuel than “the largest aircraft today” (apparently meaning the Boeing 747). The less fuel is burned, the lower the carbon dioxide emissions. For an airplane, CO2 emissions per passenger are only 75 grams per kilometer traveled. This is almost half the carbon dioxide emissions limit set by the European Union for cars produced in 2008.

The first A320 aircraft sold was delivered to the customer on October 15, 2007 after a long acceptance testing phase and entered service on October 25, 2007, making a commercial flight between Singapore and Sydney. Two months later, the company's president Singapore Airlines Chew Chong Seng stated that Airbus A380 performs better than expected and consumes 20% less fuel per passenger than the company's current Boeing 747-400.

The second A380 for Singapore Airlines was delivered by the company on January 11, 2008. Until 18 March 2008, Singapore Airlines operated its two aircraft in a 471-seat configuration between Singapore and Sydney. After the arrival of the third aircraft, it was decided to expand the number of air routes from Singapore to London.

January 25, 2008 Airbus A380 Qantas (the second airline to order the A380) made its first flight. Qantas said it will initially operate the A380 in a 450-seat configuration on its Melbourne-Los Angeles route. Subsequent routes may include Sydney-Los Angeles, as well as Melbourne-London and Sydney-London.

The first aircraft, powered by Engine Alliance's GP7270 engine (ordered by Emirates Airline), made its maiden flight on September 4, 2007. It should arrive at Emirates Airline's disposal in September 2008 and make its first flight to New York. As of January 2011, five various airlines There are 43 Airbus A380s in operation around the world.

Airbus A380 can be equipped with two types of engines: A380-841, A380-842 and A380-843F - with a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, and A380-861, A380-862, A380-863F, A380-864F - with an Engine Alliance GP7000 engine. Trent 900 is the successor to Trent 800, GP7000 originates from GE90 and PW4000. The Trent 900 is basically a scaled-up version of the Trent 500, but it also uses technology from the stillborn Trent 8104. Only two of the four engines are equipped with thrust reversers.

Reducing noise levels was an important design requirement for the A380, which was partly reflected in the design of the engines. Both engine types enable the aircraft to meet the QC/2 departure and QC/0.5 arrival noise limits set by London Heathrow Airport, which is expected to be the A380's key destination.

The A380 can fly on a mixture of jet fuel and natural gas GTL. A three-hour test flight on 1 February 2008 between Airbus's Filton Bristol facility in the UK and Airbus' main plant in Toulouse, France, was successful. One of the four Airbus A380 engines used a mixture of 60 percent aviation kerosene and 40 percent GTL fuel supplied by Shell.

The aircraft does not require modification to use GTL fuel, which is designed to be blended with conventional jet fuel. GTL does not contain sulfur compounds, which compares favorably with conventional kerosene.

Noise level in the cabin Airbus A380 50% less than the Boeing 747. Also, higher air pressure is maintained inside the aircraft (equal to the pressure at an altitude of 1,500 meters versus 2,500 for the 747). Both of these factors are expected to reduce travel fatigue among passengers.

The aircraft's upper and lower decks are connected by two staircases at the bow and tail, wide enough to accommodate two passengers shoulder to shoulder. In the 555-passenger configuration, the A380 has 33% more passenger seats than the Boeing 747–400 in its standard three-class configuration, but the cabin has 50% more space and volume, resulting in more space per passenger.

The maximum certified capacity of the aircraft is 853 passengers when configured with a single economy class. The announced configurations have a number of passenger seats from 450 (for Qantas Airways) to 644 (for Emirates Airline, with two comfort classes).

Video of Airbus A380 aircraft (Airbus A380)

1) First landing of the A380 at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (video):

2) Emirates Airbus A380 landing at Berlin Airport (Germany) – video:

3) Takeoff of the Lufthansa Airbus A380 – video from a camera located on the tail of the aircraft:

4) Takeoff of the Qantas Airbus A380 - view from the window opposite the right wing of the aircraft (video):

5) Video of Airbus A380 at the MAKS-2011 air show in Zhukovsky

www.aero-news.ru

Airbus A380 is a passenger aircraft. History, photos, characteristics

Airbus A380- a wide-body, double-deck, four-engine turbojet passenger aircraft created by Airbus S.A.S. - the largest production airliner in the world (height 24 meters, length 80 meters, wingspan 80 meters). Capacity - 525 passengers in three classes, 853 passengers in a single-class configuration. It can make non-stop flights over a distance of up to 15,400 km.

Story

Development of the aircraft began in 1994 under the code A3XX and continued for 10 years. The purpose of creating the Airbus A380 was the developer's desire to expand the range of its products, as well as to deprive Boeing of its dominant position in the wide-body passenger aircraft segment (the 747 dominated this segment for more than 30 years). McDonnell Douglas pursued the same goals with its - ultimately unsuccessful - MD-12 project. Since both companies were going to build a successor to the Boeing 747, they knew that in the consumer market segment - aircraft with 600-800 passenger seats - there was room for only one such aircraft.

Everyone knew the risk of splitting such a specialized market, as was clearly demonstrated by the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar and MD DC-10: both aircraft met market needs, but the market could usefully support only one of the models, which ultimately forced Lockheed out of the civil aviation market .

In January 1993, Boeing and several other companies from the Airbus consortium began analyzing the economic feasibility of creating a very large airliner for passenger and freight transport(Very Large Commercial Transport (VLCT)), seeking to form a partnership to share the limited capacity market.

In June 1994, Airbus began development of its own VLCT, giving it the temporary designation Airbus 3XX. Airbus considered several designs, including a combination of two fuselages from the Airbus A340, then Airbus's largest aircraft. At the same time, Boeing was considering a concept with a “hump” closer to the nose of the aircraft, which would allow it to accommodate more passengers. The VLCT partnership ended in 1996. And in January 1997, Boeing canceled its 747X program due to the East Asian economic crisis of 1997-2000, which clouded the market's prospects. Airbus changed the project to reduce operating costs by 15-20% compared to the then existing Boeing 747-400.

The design of the A3XX focused on a fully double-deck design concept, which would allow for greater passenger capacity than a standard single-deck or "humpback" variant like the Boeing 747.

On 19 December 2000, the board of directors of the newly reorganized Airbus voted to launch the A3XX program and estimated the cost of the program at €8.8 billion. The A3XX finally received its full designation as the A380. Even then, 55 orders were received from 6 customers. The A380 designation is a break between the previous "Airbus" designations in the sequence A300 to A340. The designation A380 was chosen because the number 8 resembles the cross-section of this double-deck aircraft. In addition, the number 8 is considered “lucky” in some Asian customer countries. The final aircraft configuration was approved in early 2001, and production of the first A380 wing components began on January 23, 2002. The cost of the program rose to €11 billion when the first aircraft was completed.

Production of aircraft components

The main structural sections of the airliner were built at factories in France, Great Britain, Germany and Spain. Due to their size, they were transported to Toulouse not by the A300-600 Beluga aircraft (used to transport parts for other Airbus aircraft), but by land and water transport, although some parts were transported using our domestic An-124 aircraft.

The front and rear fuselage sections were loaded horizontally onto the Airbus-owned Ville de Bordeaux in Hamburg and from there shipped to the UK. The wing consoles were manufactured in Filton (a suburb of Bristol) and in Brawtyn in North Wales, from where they were transported by barge to Mastin, where the Ville de Bordeaux loaded them, along with existing sections, on board the ship. Then, for some more sections, the ship called at Saint-Nazaire in Western France and then the ship unloaded in Bordeaux. The ship then took on board the lower fuselage and tail sections in Cadiz and delivered them to Bordeaux. From there, parts of the A380 were transported by barge to Langon (in the Gironde) and further overland to the assembly plant in Toulouse. To deliver parts of the A380, some roads were widened and new canals and barges were built. After all this, the planes were sent to Hamburg, where they were equipped and painted.

Each A380 requires 3,600 liters of paint to cover 3,100 m² of skin.

Testing

Five A380s were built for demonstration and testing purposes. The first A380, serial number MSN001 and registration F-WWOW, was unveiled at a ceremony in Toulouse on 18 January 2005.

The first flight began at 8:29 UTC (10:29 local time) on April 27, 2005. This aircraft, equipped with Trent-900 engines, took off from international airport Toulouse with a flight crew of 6 people led by test pilot Jacques Rosi. The plane landed successfully after 3 hours and 54 minutes. On December 1, 2005, the A380 reached its maximum speed at Mach 0.96 (versus a cruising speed of Mach 0.85) in a shallow dive, thereby beginning a series of test flights aimed at exploring the range of operational flight conditions.

On January 10, 2006, the A380 made its first transatlantic flight, arriving in Medellin, Colombia, to test the aircraft for operation. high mountain airport, and then flew to Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, Canada, for testing in cold weather conditions.

In early 2006, during static testing at the Toulouse aircraft factory, the wing of one of the A380s (MSN5000) unexpectedly cracked when reaching 145% of the rated load, while according to aviation safety standards it should withstand a load of 150% of the rated load.
The management of the Airbus consortium decided to make changes to the design of the A380 wing in order to increase its strength. The reinforcing elements together increased the weight of the aircraft airframe by 30 kg, of which 14 kg were due to the mounting bolts.

On March 26, 2006, the A380 underwent evacuation certification in Hamburg (Germany). With a total of 16 exits, 8 were blocked, 853 passengers and 20 crew members were evacuated in 78 seconds, compared to the evacuation certification standards requirement of 90 seconds. Three days later, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave their approval for the Airbus A380 to carry up to 853 passengers. On August 25, 2006, the first flight of the A380 with GP 7200 engines took place (aircraft serial number MSN 009).

On September 4, 2006, the first flight test of the A380 with passengers on board took place in a series of flights carried out to test the comfort and quality of passenger services. The plane took off from Toulouse with 474 Airbus employees on board. In November 2006, many test flights took place to check the performance of the aircraft under standard airline operating conditions. On December 12, the A380-841 model and the A380-842 model received certificates from EASA and the FAA at a joint ceremony at the company's French headquarters. Model A380-861 received certification on December 14, 2007.

As of February 2008, the five A380s had accumulated a total of 4,565 flight hours and completed 1,364 flights including airline testing and demonstration flights.

Production and delivery

At the initial stage, the production of the Airbus A380 was complicated by the fact that each aircraft required 530 kilometers of electrical wiring. Airbus cited, in particular, the complexity of the cockpit wiring (100,000 wires and 40,300 connectors), the fact that this separate, parallel project must meet the requirements of each airline, control of design changes and control of technical documentation changes . German and Spanish Airbus plants continued to use software CATIA version 4, while the British and French moved to CATIA version 5. This, at least in part, caused some problems in the control of design changes, since the installation of aluminum electrical wires required special rules, including the use of non-standard units of measurement and radii bending: problems were related to the fact that software versions (CATIA) worked under different platforms.

Airbus announced the first delay in June 2005 and notified airlines that deliveries would be delayed by 6 months. This reduced the number of planned deliveries by the end of 2009 from 120 to 100-90. On June 13, 2006, Airbus announced a second delay in the delivery schedule for another six to seven months. Although the first delivery was planned for the end of 2006, deliveries in 2007 decreased by only 7 aircraft, and by the end of 2009 to 80-70. The announcement caused shares of Airbus parent EADS to fall 26% and led to the resignations of EADS CEO Noel Forgrid, Airbus CEO Gustav Humbert and A380 program manager Charles Champion. On October 3, the new Airbus CEO, after completing a review of the program, announced a third delay, pushing back the first delivery to October 2007.

In 2008, 12 aircraft were delivered, in 2009 14 aircraft were delivered to customers, in 2010 - 27, and from 2011 it is planned to set an annual production rate of 45 aircraft.

The delay also increased the revenue shortfall expected by Airbus until 2010 to €4.8 billion.

Since Airbus prioritized work on the A380-800 over the A380-800F (freighter version), orders for the A380-800F were either canceled or exchanged for A380-800 orders. Airbus has suspended work on the freighter but said the A380 freighter remains in the pipeline.

Commissioning

The first aircraft sold (MSN003, registration number: 9V-SKA) was delivered to the customer on October 15, 2007 after a long acceptance test phase and entered service on October 25, 2007, making a commercial flight between Singapore and Sydney (flight number: SQ380).

Two months later, Singapore Airlines President Chew Chong Seng said the A380 performed better than expected and consumed 20% less fuel per passenger than the company's existing Boeing 747-400. The second A380 for Singapore Airlines (MSN005) was delivered to Airbus on 11 January 2008 and was registered as 9V-SKB. Until 18 March 2008, Singapore Airlines operated its two aircraft in a 471-seat configuration between Singapore and Sydney.

After the arrival of the third aircraft, it was decided to expand the number of air routes from Singapore to London. On March 18, 2008, a Singapore Airlines A380 successfully landed at Heathrow Airport (London), thereby making the aircraft's first commercial flight to Europe.

Singapore Airlines' fourth A380, which entered service on April 26 (9V-SKD), has been flying on the Singapore-Tokyo route since May 20.

Singapore Airlines named the following promising routes: Singapore - San Francisco, direct flights to Paris and Frankfurt, Hong Kong route, Melbourne - Singapore.

On January 25, 2008, the A380 (MSN014) of Qantas (the second airline to order the A380) made its maiden flight. Qantas said it will initially operate the A380 in a 450-seat configuration on its Melbourne-Los Angeles route. Subsequent routes may include Sydney-Los Angeles, and Melbourne-London, Sydney-London.

Project

The new Airbus was planned to be sold in two versions. The A380-800 was originally designed to carry 555 passengers in a three-class configuration, or 853 passengers (538 on the main deck and 315 on the upper deck) in a single economy class configuration. In May 2007, Airbus began offering customers an aircraft with fewer seats (currently 525 seats in three classes) in exchange for an increased range of 370 km to better match trends in premium passenger accommodations. The flight range for the A380-800 model is 15,400 km. The second, cargo, modification of the A380-800F will be capable of transporting up to 150 tons of cargo over a distance of up to 10,370 km. Future variants could include the A380-900 with increased seating capacity of up to 656 passengers (or up to 960 passengers in a single economy class), and extended-range variants with the same passenger capacity as the A380-800.

The A380 wing is sized for a maximum take-off weight of over 650 tonnes, with an eye towards future versions, although the wing will need to be strengthened somewhat. The reinforced wing will be used in the cargo version of the A380-800F. This overall design approach does result in some reduction in fuel efficiency for the passenger version of the A380-800, but Airbus estimates that the aircraft's size, coupled with the new technologies described below, will result in a per-passenger operating cost lower than either existing modifications of the Boeing 747.

The A380 also features winglets similar to those seen on the A310 and A320 to reduce wake turbulence and improve economy and performance.

Cockpit

Airbus uses similar cockpit layout, procedures and performance characteristics in its other aircraft to reduce crew training costs.

The A380 features an improved glass cockpit and remote control of the steering wheels using electric drives linked to the side-stick controls.

Information display devices in the cockpit: 9 interchangeable liquid crystal monitors 20x15 cm. Of the 9 monitors, 2 are navigation data indicators, 2 are main flight data indicators, 2 engine operation indicators, 1 displays data on the current state of the entire system as a whole and 2 are multifunctional.

Engines

The A380 can be equipped with two types of engines: A380-841, A380-842 and A380-843F - with a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, and A380-861, A380-862, A380-863F, A380-864F - with an Engine Alliance GP7000 engine. Trent 900 is the successor to Trent 800, GP7000 originates from GE90 and PW4000. The Trent 900 is basically a scaled-up version of the Trent 500, but it also uses technology from the stillborn Trent 8104. Only two of the four engines are equipped with thrust reversers.
Reducing noise levels was an important design requirement for the A380, which was partly reflected in the design of the engines. Both engine types enable the aircraft to meet noise limits QC/2 on departure and QC/0.5 on arrival set by London Heathrow Airport, which is expected to be the A380's key destination.

Fuel

The A380 can fly on a mixture of jet fuel and natural gas GTL. Three hours test flight On 1 February 2008, the connection between the Airbus Filton Bristol facility in the UK and the Airbus main plant in Toulouse, France, was successful.

One of the four A380 engines used a mixture of 60 percent aviation kerosene and 40 percent GTL fuel supplied by Shell.

The aircraft does not require modification to use GTL fuel, which is designed to be blended with conventional jet fuel. GTL does not contain sulfur compounds, which compares favorably with conventional kerosene.

Improved materials

The design of the Airbus A380 widely uses composite materials - metals and plastics reinforced with glass fiber, carbon and quartz fiber. New weldable aluminum alloys are also widely used, which, combined with laser beam welding, has eliminated rivets. In January 2012, microcracks were discovered on the wing body.

Conditions for passengers

The cabin noise level of the A380 is 50% less than that of the Boeing 747, and higher air pressure is also maintained inside the aircraft (equal to the pressure at an altitude of 1500 meters versus 2500 for the 747). Both of these factors are expected to reduce travel fatigue among passengers. The upper and lower decks are connected by two staircases, at the nose and tail of the aircraft, wide enough to accommodate two passengers shoulder to shoulder. In a 555-passenger configuration, the A380 has 33% more passenger seats than a Boeing 747-400 in a standard three-class configuration, but the cabin has 50% more space and volume, resulting in more space per passenger. The aircraft's maximum certified capacity is 853 passengers when configured with a single economy class. The announced configurations have a number of passenger seats from 450 (for Qantas Airways) to 644 (for Emirates Airline, with two comfort classes).

Ground Operation

Critics have previously argued that the A380's weight could cause damage to airport taxiways. However, the pressure that the aircraft's wheels exert on the surface is less than that of a Boeing 747 or Boeing 777, since the A380 has 22 wheels, which is four more than the 747 and eight more than the 777. Airbus measured road loads using a custom 580-tonne load cart built to simulate the A380's landing gear. The cart was rolled along a section of the road surface where pressure sensors were placed.

Based on the A380's wingspan, the FAA initially classified it as a Group VI aircraft, which requires a 60-meter-wide runway and 30-meter-wide taxiways, versus 45 and 23 for Group V, which includes the Boeing 747. Airbus initially said the A380 would be able to operate safely on Group V runways and taxiways without requiring them to be expanded. In July 2007, the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) agreed to allow the A380 to use 45-meter-wide runways without restrictions.

Moscow Domodedovo Airport became the first airport in Russia that was able to accommodate the Airbus A380 aircraft on its runways. This order was issued Federal agency air transport.

Distances

In 2005, ICAO developed preliminary criteria for maintaining intervals between takeoffs and landings, which turned out to be significantly larger than for the Boeing 747, since flight tests showed that the A380 leaves a much stronger wake turbulence. These criteria remained in effect until ICAO, JAA, Eurocontrol, FAA and Airbus examined the issue through additional flight tests. In September 2006, the working group presented its findings to ICAO.
In November of that year, ICAO issued new recommendations. Instead of 10 nautical miles (19 km) for all types of aircraft, the new intervals should be:

• For aircraft according to the ICAO classification “Heavy” - 6 nautical miles (11 km).

Airbus A380- a wide-body double-deck jet passenger aircraft created by Airbus S.A.S. (formerly Airbus Industrie) is the largest production airliner in the world.

The height of the aircraft is 24.08 meters, length is 72.75 (80.65) meters, wingspan is 79.75 meters. The A380 can fly non-stop over distances of up to 15,400 km. Capacity - 525 passengers in three classes; 853 passengers in single-class configuration. There is also a cargo modification of the A380F with the ability to transport cargo up to 150 tons over a distance of up to 10,370 km.

Among the big liners Airbus A380 is the most economical: 3.0 liters of fuel per passenger per 100 kilometers (54 nautical miles) of travel.

The maximum take-off weight of the airliner is 560 tons (the weight of the aircraft itself is 280 tons). Today, the A380 is also the world's largest passenger aircraft, surpassing the Boeing 747 in capacity, which can carry up to 525 passengers. The latter was the largest airliner for 36 years, and the absolute record for commercial use still belongs to the An-225 Mriya.

For development Airbus A380 it took about 10 years, the cost of the entire program was about 12 billion euros. Airbus says it needs to sell 420 planes to recoup its costs, although some analysts estimate the figure could be much higher.

According to the developers, the most difficult part in creating the A380 was the problem of reducing its weight. It was solved through the widespread use of composite materials both in structural structural elements and in auxiliary units, interiors, etc.

To reduce the weight of the aircraft, advanced technologies and improved aluminum alloys were also used. Thus, the 11-ton center section consists of 40% of its mass from carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The fuselage top and side panels are made from Glare hybrid material. Laser welding of stringers and skin was used on the lower fuselage panels, which significantly reduced the number of fasteners.

According to Airbus, per passenger Airbus A380 burns 17% less fuel than “the largest aircraft today” (apparently meaning the Boeing 747). The less fuel is burned, the lower the carbon dioxide emissions. For an airplane, CO2 emissions per passenger are only 75 grams per kilometer traveled. This is almost half the carbon dioxide emissions limit set by the European Union for cars produced in 2008.

The first A320 aircraft sold was delivered to the customer on October 15, 2007 after a long acceptance testing phase and entered service on October 25, 2007, making a commercial flight between Singapore and Sydney. Two months later, the company's president Singapore Airlines Chew Chong Seng stated that Airbus A380 performs better than expected and consumes 20% less fuel per passenger than the company's current Boeing 747-400.

The second A380 for Singapore Airlines was delivered by the company on January 11, 2008. Until 18 March 2008, Singapore Airlines operated its two aircraft in a 471-seat configuration between Singapore and Sydney. After the arrival of the third aircraft, it was decided to expand the number of air routes from Singapore to London.

January 25, 2008 Airbus A380 Qantas (the second airline to order the A380) made its first flight. Qantas said it will initially operate the A380 in a 450-seat configuration on its Melbourne-Los Angeles route. Subsequent routes may include Sydney-Los Angeles, as well as Melbourne-London and Sydney-London.

The first aircraft, powered by Engine Alliance's GP7270 engine (ordered by Emirates Airline), made its maiden flight on September 4, 2007. It should arrive at Emirates Airline's disposal in September 2008 and make its first flight to New York. As of January 2011, five different airlines around the world operate 43 Airbus A380s.

Airbus A380 can be equipped with two types of engines: A380-841, A380-842 and A380-843F - with a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, and A380-861, A380-862, A380-863F, A380-864F - with an Engine Alliance GP7000 engine. Trent 900 is the successor to Trent 800, GP7000 originates from GE90 and PW4000. The Trent 900 is basically a scaled-up version of the Trent 500, but it also uses technology from the stillborn Trent 8104. Only two of the four engines are equipped with thrust reversers.

Reducing noise levels was an important design requirement for the A380, which was partly reflected in the design of the engines. Both engine types enable the aircraft to meet the QC/2 departure and QC/0.5 arrival noise limits set by London Heathrow Airport, which is expected to be the A380's key destination.

The A380 can fly on a mixture of jet fuel and natural gas GTL. A three-hour test flight on 1 February 2008 between Airbus's Filton Bristol facility in the UK and Airbus' main plant in Toulouse, France, was successful. One of the four Airbus A380 engines used a mixture of 60 percent aviation kerosene and 40 percent GTL fuel supplied by Shell.

The aircraft does not require modification to use GTL fuel, which is designed to be blended with conventional jet fuel. GTL does not contain sulfur compounds, which compares favorably with conventional kerosene.

Noise level in the cabin Airbus A380 50% less than the Boeing 747. Also, higher air pressure is maintained inside the aircraft (equal to the pressure at an altitude of 1,500 meters versus 2,500 for the 747). Both of these factors are expected to reduce travel fatigue among passengers.

The aircraft's upper and lower decks are connected by two staircases at the bow and tail, wide enough to accommodate two passengers shoulder to shoulder. In the 555-passenger configuration, the A380 has 33% more passenger seats than the Boeing 747–400 in its standard three-class configuration, but the cabin has 50% more space and volume, resulting in more space per passenger.

The maximum certified capacity of the aircraft is 853 passengers when configured with a single economy class. The announced configurations have a number of passenger seats from 450 (for Qantas Airways) to 644 (for Emirates Airline, with two comfort classes).

Airbus A380 is one of the most interesting and romantic aircraft. Many passengers dream of flying on the flagship double-deck airliner and specifically look for flights operated on the A380.

Airline ticket search Avianity has collected information for those who want to fly on the largest aircraft in the world: airlines that fly the A380, and a list of cities where you can go on the legendary airliner. The cost of the flight will not differ from flights operated on other types of aircraft, in some cases it will be cheaper.

There are only 13 air carriers in the world, air fleet of which there are A380 aircraft. In total, about 200 aircraft are in operation. Russian airlines are not included in this list and do not even plan to purchase double-decker airliners.

It is worth noting that most airlines are reducing purchases of wide-body aircraft such as the A380, because they cannot ensure their full load. Airbus said it would cut production of its twin-deck A380 aircraft. The company produced 27 aircraft in 2015, and in 2017 it will build 20 aircraft, then no more than 12 aircraft per year.

Aircraft like the Airbus A380 are suitable for long-haul non-stop flights. These flights operate from major cities between continents.

Where can you fly on the A380 from Russia?

The leader in the number of A380 aircraft and the only carrier that flies A380 from Russia is. The carrier has 92 aircraft, with a total of 142 aircraft on order, and operates flights to 60 airports, including Moscow Domodedovo Airport.

Emirates flights on the A380 from Moscow

The only flight operated by Emirates Airline on the Airbus A380 from Moscow is Moscow (DME) - Dubai (DXB). The plane arrives at Dubai International Airport, the Emirates transit hub from where you can take the A380 to other 39 cities. Despite the ability of the A380 aircraft to fly long-haul flights, many flights are operated with a transfer at Dubai airport to ensure the airline is busy. Due to the full capacity of Emirates flights, their air tickets are cheaper than direct flights from other airlines.

Shows in the ticket description which aircraft will be used on the flight, if this information was provided by the airline. When booking an air ticket on the websites of airlines or ticket agencies, the flight information also indicates the type of aircraft.

How to find out what type of aircraft will be on your flight?

If you're flying on one of these 13 airlines, you can choose a flight that's powered by the Airbus A380. Flights from Russia will be operated on a different type of aircraft. Flights on the A380 will be possible after a transfer at the airline's home airport.

List of airlines and destinations where the A380 flies

The airline has 92 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates A380 from Dubai (DXB) to 39 destinations: Amsterdam (AMS), Bangkok (BKK), Barcelona (BCN), Beijing (PEK), Birmingham (BHX), Brisbane (BNE), Copenhagen (CPH), Düsseldorf (DUS), Frankfurt am Main (FRA), Guangzhou (CAN), Hong Kong (HKG), Dallas (DFW), Jeddah (JED), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Kuwait (KWI), London (LHR) , Los Angeles (LAX), Madrid (MAD), Manchester (MAN), Mauritius (MRU), Melbourne (MEL), Milan (MXP), Moscow (DME), Mumbai (BOM), Munich (MUC), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG), Perth (PER), Prague (PRG), Rome (FCO), Seoul (ICN), Shanghai (PVG), Singapore (SIN), Sydney (SYD), Taipei (TPE), Toronto (YYZ), Vienna (VIE), Washington (IAD), Zurich (ZRH).

The airline has 10 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from its home airport in Paris (CDG) to 10 destinations: Ivory Coast (ABJ), Hong Kong (HKG), Johannesburg (JNB), Los Angeles (LAX), Mexico City (MEX), Miami (MIA) ), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Shanghai (PVG), Washington (IAD).

Asiana Airlines

The airline has 6 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates A380 from its international base airport South Korea— Incheon to Seoul (ICN) in 4 directions: Bangkok (BKK), Hong Kong (HKG), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK).

The airline has 12 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to 7 destinations: Johannesburg (JNB), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), San Francisco (SFO), Singapore (SIN), Vancouver (YVR) , Washington (IAD).

The airline has 5 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from Chinese international airports to Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) and Beijing Capital (PEK).

From Beijing International Airport (PEK) to 3 destinations:
Amsterdam (AMS), Chengdu (CTU), Guangzhou (CAN).

From Guangzhou International Airport (CAN) to 3 destinations:
Beijing (PEK), Los Angeles (LAX), Sydney (SYD).

The airline has 8 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from its home base at United United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi (AUH) in 5 directions: London (LHR), Melbourne (MEL), Mumbai (BOM), New York (JFK), Sydney (SYD).

The airline has 10 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates A380 flights from South Korea's home base of Incheon International Airport in Seoul (ICN) to 5 destinations: Atlanta (ATL), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG).

The airline has 14 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from its home airport Frankfurt am Main (FRA) to 11 destinations: Beijing (PEK), New Delhi (DEL), Hong Kong (HKG), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami ( MIA), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Seoul (ICN), Shanghai (PVG), Singapore (SIN).

Malaysia Airlines (Malaysia Airlines)

The airline has 6 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 to one destination only, from Malaysia's home base of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (ICN) to London (LHR).

Qantas

The airline has 12 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from two Australian airports: Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Sydney Airport (SYD).

Flights on the A380 from Sydney (SYD) are available to 4 destinations:
Dallas (DFW), Dubai (DXB), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX).

Flights on the A380 from Melbourne (MEL) are available to Dubai (DXB) and Los Angeles (LAX).

The airline has 7 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates A380 flights from its home airport in Doha (DOH) to 4 destinations: Bangkok (BKK), Guangzhou (CAN), London (LHR), Paris (CDG).

The airline has 19 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from its home airport in Singapore (SIN) to 15 destinations: Auckland (AKL), Beijing (PEK), New Delhi (DEL), Frankfurt am Main (FRA), Hong Kong (HKG), London (LHR) ), Los Angeles (LAX), Melbourne (MEL), Mumbai (BOM), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG), Shanghai (PVG), Sydney (SYD), Tokyo (HND), Zurich (ZRH) .

The airline has 6 Airbus A380 aircraft in its fleet. Operates the A380 from Thailand's home base of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok (BKK) to 6 destinations: Frankfurt am Main (FRA), Hong Kong (HKG), London (LHR), Osaka (KIX), Paris (CDG), Tokyo ( HND).

In the report, I talked a little about the features of the largest passenger airliner in the world, the Airbus A380, and about its ground services; in this report, I will show what the Lufthansa A380 looks like inside.

The Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 has the following passenger cabin configuration: upper deck - First Class - 8, Business Class - 98, lower deck - Economy Class - 420 seats, i.e. total 526 passenger seats:

The A380 carries 24 crew members: 3 in the cockpit (pilots), 2 senior flight attendants (one on each of the two levels) and 19 flight attendants in the passenger cabin.

The crew boards the aircraft 40-60 minutes before departure and, in fact, 20-30 minutes before passengers board the plane. This time I boarded the flight together with the crew of the Singapore-Frankfurt flight. The first thing that happens in the cabin is a short pre-flight briefing by the crew. The senior flight attendant informs the team about the number of passengers on the flight, introduces the newcomer who will join work on the A380 for the first time, and reports working details. The senior flight attendant this time was a very pleasant and charming woman over 40, who said a very interesting phrase: “Please be extremely polite, attentive and restrained in case of conflict situations, take into account the fact that we checked out at hotel the evening before the flight (flight at 23.00), and most passengers have been on their feet since the morning and are already tired from the day." She also thanked the crew for their coordinated work on the previous flight from Frankfurt to Singapore, when medical problems arose and were successfully resolved.

The duration of this briefing is 5-7 minutes, after which all crew members go to their workplaces to prepare for boarding the aircraft. The plane arrived at 17.00 and stayed at the airport for 6 hours. During this time, airport ground services carry out technical inspection, cabin cleaning, food delivery and clean blankets and pillows. The crew's job is to conduct a quick but thorough check before allowing passengers to enter.

Meet Anna Rodney, a crew member who works today in First Class, she is the one who will tell me today and show me how everything happens on the other side.

Anna works as quickly as possible, checking the power load.

A little later, a ground service employee entered the cabin with whom a check was carried out and documents were signed:

And in just 25-40 minutes, passengers begin boarding! I just watched a little from the side - each crew member works as quickly as possible, all actions are brought to automaticity!

Let's take a walk around the salon :)

Economy class:

Of course, the size of the windows is impressive! The portholes themselves are of course smaller than their inner part, but they still give the impression of being large.
The cabin is much quieter than other planes. High ceilings and spacious compartments for hand luggage.

Traditional postcard:

LCD screens in the back of the seat in front:

The control panel is located in the arm of the chair, which is inconvenient in my opinion; I constantly touched the volume buttons with my elbow:

The entertainment system is good, but significantly inferior in choice to Emirates and Cathay Pacific:

Business Class:

First grade:

There are only 8 seats, but maximum comfort is created for passengers. Each airline places an order for its own cabin layout; Emirates and Singapore Airlines have showers on board the A380, a bar counter, etc. Lufthansa took a different path - everything was done for maximum comfort, but without frills, like a shower, for which you need to carry extra water.

However, Lufthansa First Class has its own characteristics: this cabin has an order of magnitude greater degree of cabin sound insulation, although even in economy it is much quieter than in any other aircraft I have flown on. Even in first class, there is increased air humidity, which during a long flight significantly reduces overall fatigue.

The traditional colors of Lufthansa airlines are blue and yellow; the interiors of business and economy class cabins are designed in these tones. In First Class, completely new modern shades are used in the interior - brown, beige. The First Class lounge at the airport is also decorated in the same colors. At Frankfurt Airport, gates with two levels of jet bridges are specially equipped to service A380 aircraft. Business and first class passengers already at the airport board on the second floor, enter the business lounge and then immediately onto the upper deck of the aircraft upon landing. This way they don't meet economy class passengers.

The interior covering of the cabin is made of artificial material such as velor leather instead of plaid, pleasant to the touch, thereby creating an additional degree of comfort.

Staircase leading to the First Class cabin:

Welcome champagne:

Bose headphones for First Class passengers:

Chair control panel:

The wall between the seats is individually adjustable.

Each passenger has an individual wardrobe:

Adjusting the window shade:

Spacious toilet, 2 of them in the First Class cabin:

From the flight attendant's point of view, the A380 has much more space and is much more comfortable to work with.

And this is what the cockpit looks like:

There is also a “compartment” with beds for pilots to rest:

And these are crew rest areas. The entrance here is down the stairs from first class - these are individual niche beds.
Depending on the duration of the flight, rest time is distributed - after the end of the first stage of the service. On this flight, each flight attendant had a break of 3 hours 45 minutes, which is relatively long, sometimes even 45 minutes, the rest of the time he was on his feet.

Here's a Lufthansa A380 inside:)

Now comes the fun part!
I asked Anna a few questions, to which I received interesting answers; it’s always interesting to find out what is not on the surface...

alexcheban: - How did you get on the A380?
Anna Rodney: - In our airline, everyone who works full time receives three licenses. I work in Airbus family, I fly the A320 and A340, and, quite logically, the A380. Within one family of aircraft, everything is located in approximately the same places and has a very similar technical layout.

Can you compare Boeing and Airbus?
- They say that the type of aircraft you start flying on is more comfortable. I also flew on a Boeing 737, I can say that they have completely different philosophies - Boeing has an American one, Airbus has a European one, but to me the European one is more logical. The Americans, in my opinion, are more conservative and we (the European manufacturer) have greater comfort for passengers than Boeing.

What is the occupancy rate for First Class? Does it happen that there are not a single passenger?
- No, it doesn’t happen, usually there are 5-7 passengers, today we have all 8.

How long are you in Singapore between flights (there are flights here daily)?
- 2.5 days

What time do you live at your destination?
- I try to live according to local time, I always change my watches.

How many flights per month do you operate?
- Accounting is done by flight, and by hour, I need to fly 70 hours per month, respectively, a round trip flight to Singapore is 30 hours (net time on a one-way flight is 12.5 hours), i.e. these 30 hours are actually half the monthly norm. My next flight is to Oman, the flight there is only 4 hours :)

Arab/Asian airlines occupy the leading positions in the SkyTtax ranking. I was not on board their A380, but I saw the reports. Their main advantage is their emphasis on luxury service in all classes. The maximum possible refinement in interior equipment, etc. Lufthansa positions itself as a carrier from point A to point B and offers basic service for each class, but at a very high level. On intra-European flights, the new seats are downright uncomfortable. This is my subjective opinion, but what is your opinion on this matter?
- Unfortunately, I cannot say much about Arab or Asian airlines, since I have never used their services myself. Lufthansa is a European airline, so it will never decorate the side of the plane with gold, etc. Lufthansa is a so-called business carrier - this is also evident in the choice of destinations (mainly the capitals of different countries, not resort towns) and in the frequency of flights. The emphasis is on efficiency and exclusivity, as our business and first class clients value luxury in simplicity and sophistication, not in gold and diamonds. Although, probably, our most important distinguishing factor is our staff. We have employees from 150 different countries around the world! On our Asian flights there are always several so-called regional colleagues - Chinese (on all flights to China), Japanese (on flights to Japan), Thais (on flights to Thailand and Singapore), Indians (on Indian flights), Koreans (on flights to Korea). During the order and configuration of the A380 for Lufthansa, a survey was conducted among first class passengers on the topic of the shower cabin. The majority voted, so to speak, for a spacious bathroom without a shower. Yes, Emirates offers a walk-in shower, but I honestly don't know how popular it is. Probably the whole point is whether to have it or not to have it. Firstly, in order to use it, passengers must add themselves to the list, and who wants to be first? After all, everyone wants to use it before boarding, and not 3-4 hours before boarding...???

As for the new seats on European flights, they are much lighter and thus save fuel, plus they have been designed to ergonomic standards, that is, with improved seating comfort. How comfortable they are is for you to judge - I have only flown them twice as a passenger so far. We hear mostly positive comments and if someone complains, it’s not about the seats, but about the fact that the wardrobe for outerwear in business class has been removed.....

What are the features of working at Lufthansa Airlines?
- We have very good working conditions, especially in comparison with the American ones, we live in excellent central hotels in cities, we have a lot of time between flights and in general very good conditions.

You indicated a good company policy regarding your employer regarding American Airlines. What about Asian/Arabic? Do you have friends there? Their impressions?
- I have several friends who worked for Asian/Arab airlines. Arab airlines, as far as I know, pay very well, but do not provide decent working conditions, so many work for them for several years and then switch to European airlines. Still, there is a very noticeable difference in the attitude of Arab passengers towards the staff and in the attitude of Europeans. As for the Asian ones, the Europeans do not quite get used to their hierarchical structure (many pilots live in other best hotels than flight attendants), plus they cannot cope with the problems of mentality: in Asia no one criticizes anyone openly - everything happens behind the back, which is not very pleasant for our brother...

A feature of the Emirates dress code is lipstick of a certain red color. Does Lufthansa have something like this? interesting feature in the dress code or some interesting instructions?
- We don’t have such a feature, except that we are obliged to follow the rules of wearing a uniform. We are forbidden to dye our hair in unnatural colors - like red or green...

How is it determined who works in what class on a given flight?
- Positions are distributed at will in accordance with the so-called seniority list - the list is compiled according to the criterion of who has been working in the company for a longer period - chooses first, etc.

The flight crew is 24 people. Do you know everyone? How does rotation happen?
- Before the flight, we all meet for a mandatory briefing - there we get to know each other and determine who will work where

What documentation do you fill out before/during/after the flight?
- We fill out documentation depending on the flight - on most flights there is no documentation for us.

If someone gets sick while in another country between flights, how is the replacement done? What if it is the PIC or the co-pilot?
- In every country we fly to, we have a doctor with whom Lufthansa has entered into a contract and whom we call when necessary. If a crew member is unable to fly back, a replacement is sent on the next flight.

Everything is standardized/automated in airplane control now, but do you still feel the difference in flying/take-off/landing technique between different pilots?
- Lufthansa pilots always carry out takeoffs and landings manually, so to speak, so yes, the difference is felt in the landing.

Pilots on post-Soviet space do not say the word “last”, replacing it with the word “extreme”. Do you have any superstitions?
- The Germans are not a superstitious people and rely on knowledge and experience, and not on superstition. :-) Therefore, no, there are no superstitions.

What is the most positive/negative aspect of your work? In outline:)
- Our work is very interesting - we always visit different countries, meet and get to know people interesting people and we go to places where not everyone can go (for example, in Saudi Arabia, where unmarried women are prohibited from entering). At the same time, it is not always easy to cope with the time difference. Plus, there are countries where the political situation is not very stable (mainly in Africa) or hygienic conditions leave much to be desired.....

Do you have colleagues who work in budget companies? What is your opinion on this matter? Do you use low cost carriers in any cases?
- No, we don’t have any connections with them and among my friends I don’t have anyone who works in such a company.

Which destinations do you love the most?
- Personally, I like to fly to South America most of all - Argentina, Colombia, etc. I speak Spanish quite fluently, and in terms of mentality, it seems to me, they are closer to the Slavs, so I feel very comfortable there!

I thank Anna Rodney for the amazing tour and interesting conversation! :)

Official page of the A380 airline Lufthansa.