A380 - Master Thread

[SQ228]

Why doesn't SQ have F on the direct Sin LAX or Sin EWR flights? I would have thought F would be more in demand on these ultra long haul flights?

Also J on the direct flights are much cheaper than going through NRT and FRA.

Unless the 77W F product fits into the A350, they would have had to design a complete new product for that. I guess also that the A340 all J never had F.

[Chucksta]

Why doesn't SQ have F on the direct Sin LAX or Sin EWR flights? I would have thought F would be more in demand on these ultra long haul flights?

Also J on the direct flights are much cheaper than going through NRT and FRA.

[SQ217]

J would be the new F and PEY the replacement for J. Just my 2 cents.

Agree and when you compare what was on offer 25 years ago J(2019) = F(1994) and PEY(2019) = J(1994)

[boing]

With the demise of A380, I foresee First class going the way of the dodo. Major airlines, SQ included, are reducing or eliminating F altogether on the latest aircrafts.

With floorprint vastly reduced in newer generation aircraft and the difference between F and J cabins reducing, F class days are numbered.

Millenials are also starting to form a bigger share in the travel demographics. If past experience with the millenials holds true, they would be another nail in the coffin for F. J would be the new F and PEY the replacement for J. Just my 2 cents.

[SQ228]

Great posts flyguy, boing & Stratoliner777! Great to see a thread go into thoughtful, factual discussion like this.

It's an interesting point about the Suites offering. The A380 picked up from where the 747 began with offering airlines the possibility of adding elements of private jet interior design into their fit outs. Airports resized gates and tarmac to accommodate these planes. It seems really surreal for the trend to suddenly go smaller. Am I correct in assuming there's now nothing bigger in the Airbus sales catalogue than an A350?

[SilverKrisSRG]

So who is responsible for assigning the aircraft then ?

@Bishop9011, not me who is responsible. Tonight SQ322 will be served by 9V-SKW , yes it is the new A380//Layout-3 . Your flight on 20 Feb will be The New A380 also, at present it will be served by 9V-SKU (also a new A380) however thing can change, one or two days prior departure will be more accurate.

[Stratoliner777]

Thanks for the explanation. Yes it is sad in the sense that a unique (in size) passenger airliner is "no more" -- although it will be around for years to come, in service. I do wonder though about airlines that rest their cachet on the Superjumbo. SQ for example having their Suites class. I suppose nothing really changes for the near-term, but it's clear that there will be no more of the same aircraft to come in the future. Would SQ ever deign to put their Suites on another aircraft type?

[boing]

It is a sad day to hear the death knell being sounded on a jet that has just broken into its teenage years. I clearly remember its first flight in 2005 when it gathered much press attention.
Unfortunately, this plane was designed and conceived in a period where the dynamics in airline business was going through much change. The A380 was designed on the projection that air travel would grow at a steady rate and slots at major hubs would be restricted.

What Airbus didn't foresee is the opening of secondary airports in major cities and the proliferation of budget carriers in Asia. Coupled with the huge improvement in engine and composite technology after A380 design was finalized, I was expecting this announcement to come for some time.
.
Definetely a sad day for aviationists

[flyguy]

The first 5 build of the A380s for SIA were leased for 10 years and SIA exercise its rights to return the lease as also the early build were heavier and had rewired wings. SIA did not need to look for buyers for these 5 A380s and they were returned to the lessor which could only lease out oneof the A380s and subsequently part-out 2 of the A380s.
SIA did replace these 5 earlier build A380s with an order for 5 new ones which have been delivered over the last year plus.
However there is no secondary market for the A380s as MAS and even Thai have been trying to unload later build A380s since a couple of years ago.

[Stratoliner777]

It seems so fast to the end of the A380, just about 11 years plus when SIA received its first A380. Airbus should be reeling from the heavy investment and development of the A380 and less than 300 were produced. But the A380 will still fly for another 20 to 30 years.

Yes, I'm stunned that it ended so quickly! Probably the shortest-lived aircraft program in their history -- even shorter than the A340. In the following link there's an SQ angle:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/ar...der-re-455756/

Airbus to axe A380 programme after Emirates order rejig

[...] But Singapore Airlines also highlighted the dearth of interest in the type when it withdrew some of its early A380s from service, which then struggled to find a buyer – eventually being allocated to part-out.

Was that really the case? SQ was always going to retire those, no? Given that they were early models and less efficient etc.? Anyhow, as I recall SQ was seeking a large widebody for decades (i.e., more than the 747-400 in size or capability), perhaps their interest in a hypothetical 777-10X might be relevant?

[flyguy]

It seems so fast to the end of the A380, just about 11 years plus when SIA received its first A380. Airbus should be reeling from the heavy investment and development of the A380 and less than 300 were produced. But the A380 will still fly for another 20 to 25 years if oil prices remains current, or its life span will be very much shortened if oil prices goes up and new or improved larger twins comes in the market earlier.

[Stratoliner777]

Please move if this is not the best place for it, but it was just announced that the A380 line will cease production in 2021. No more A380s will be built:

https://twitter.com/AirbusPRESS/stat...11965434753026
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/14/b....html?adkey=bn

[bishop9011]

So who is responsible for assigning the aircraft then ?

[SilverKrisSRG]

Which version will the A380 be for 20/02 at 11.45pm ( SQ322 SIN - LHR ) ?

Still not assigned yet, I can check one or two days prior departure. As for tonight SQ322 will be served by 9V-SKZ, after serving PVG for the day, she is a new version of A380 fleet, layout 3. But it is subject to last minutes changes .

[SilverKrisSRG]

Still not assigned yet, I can check one or two days prior departure. As for tonight SQ322 will be served by 9V-SKZ, after serving PVG for the day, she is a new version of A380 fleet, layout 3. But it is subject to last minutes changes .