A380 - Master Thread

[SMK77]

SQ owns 10 A380 and leases 9. I would think that they will refurbish only the ones they own so with the five new one there will be 15 A380 at some point in time.

[Spaniard]

Since the layout of the seats is going to be drastically different does anyone think SQ will refurbish its newer A380s (SKF and onwards)? Although we haven't had any recent news about the first batch of A380s (SKA- SKE) I think we can assume that they won't be around much longer, especially with the recent 777-9X order. I was thinking that if they refurbished the remaining A380s then they could carry on with the newest product for 6-7 years before progressively being replaced by the incoming 777-9X starring in 2022.

This article https://www.ausbt.com.au/singapore-a...ts-for-2017-18 suggests they would be refitting the current A380s. I remember reading somewhere that the 5 yet to join the fleet might just replace the 5 oldest ones (SKA-SKE) rather than increasing the fleet size. If this is the case we might end up with one single 2018 configuration across the A380 fleet in time.

[PEK A380]

Since the layout of the seats is going to be drastically different does anyone think SQ will refurbish its newer A380s (SKF and onwards)? Although we haven't had any recent news about the first batch of A380s (SKA- SKE) I think we can assume that they won't be around much longer, especially with the recent 777-9X order. I was thinking that if they refurbished the remaining A380s then they could carry on with the newest product for 6-7 years before progressively being replaced by the incoming 777-9X starring in 2022.

[SMK77]

Apologies if this has been posted previously:

"Airbus wants airlines to put first class on the A380's upper deck"

https://www.ausbt.com.au/airbus-want...0-s-upper-deck

Airbus is riding a dead horse here. Most airlines understand that by putting First on the Upper Deck (and downsizing First in total seats offered), they can unlock some potential for other, higher yielding seats.

Etihad, Emirates, Qatar, Lufthansa and Thai already have First up there, SQ is following. I think Air France will also follow as they have to refurbish First and Business on their A380 fleet.

[Concorde]

Apologies if this has been posted previously:

"Airbus wants airlines to put first class on the A380's upper deck"

https://www.ausbt.com.au/airbus-want...0-s-upper-deck

[Heihei]

4 windows and 2 windows in Zone A is the strongest hint so far that we will six First Class Suites (2 windows each Suite). They are replacing the current 20 J seats but if they move galleys a bit, the might be able to still install 74 J seats.

On the main deck, looking at LH (http://www.lufthansa.com/mediapool/p...1511678526.pdf) who installs 52 Premium Economy seats and 371 Economy seats, I don't see SQ only installing 45 plus 345.

LH managed to squeeze one extra row of PEY, and much more rows between main deck door 3 and door 4 due to different cabin config especially to the cabin lav and galley

[SMK77]

In general terms, do those of you who fly J on the A380 feel that the balance between Y and J is better with the SKA-K (Upper Y) series or the SKL-T (Upper all J) series? Does the balance lie somewhere in between, or is there an argument for still dealing with the hassle of having two configurations in order to meet the differing demands of destinations?

I ask this in terms of observed load factors, ability to book seats etc.

There is no one size fits all. Different locations have different demand. SQ tries to cater for those by having two configurations.

Look at EK - they have even introduced A380 with no First at all.

My personal take is that it is extremely difficult to fill 400 seats in Y+/Y all the time - Lufthansa had to cut Y fares dramatically in order to have a decent seat load factor. Not the way to go for a premium airline. A380 is only suitable for very few routes and I would not be surprised if SQ will reduce the total number of A380 in the next years.

[SQ228]

In general terms, do those of you who fly J on the A380 feel that the balance between Y and J is better with the SKA-K (Upper Y) series or the SKL-T (Upper all J) series? Does the balance lie somewhere in between, or is there an argument for still dealing with the hassle of having two configurations in order to meet the differing demands of destinations?

I ask this in terms of observed load factors, ability to book seats etc.

[SMK77]

My guess...or actually more like a hint...
6 + 80
45 + 345

4 windows and 2 windows in Zone A is the strongest hint so far that we will six First Class Suites (2 windows each Suite). They are replacing the current 20 J seats but if they move galleys a bit, the might be able to still install 74 J seats.

On the main deck, looking at LH (http://www.lufthansa.com/mediapool/p...1511678526.pdf) who installs 52 Premium Economy seats and 371 Economy seats, I don't see SQ only installing 45 plus 345.

[Spaniard]

My guess...or actually more like a hint...
6 + 80
45 + 345

Not sure how those numbers work for the upper deck. We have 86J now so wonder how they'll exchange 6J seats for 6 suites, perhaps a more optimized use of non-revenue spaces? Or maybe the new J design requires slightly less pitch.

Lower deck sounds quite packed, but guess doable given the current 12R + 36S +245Y.

Huge bump up in density - 476 vs 379 on the current all upper deck J version.

Great change to make the big lady more profitable!

[Heihei]

My Guess:
Upper Deck:
Zone A - 4 Suites in 1-1 config
- Long Galley for both Suite and Business Class -
Zone B and Zone C - Around 60 Business Seats in 1-2-1 config
Zone D - Social Area

Lower Deck:
Premium Economy 28-36 seats in the front in 2-4-2 (3 rows 2-stairs-2 around the stairs and 2 or 3 row 2-4-2)

My guess...or actually more like a hint...
6 + 80
45 + 345

[sutrakhk]

Perhaps Zone A will be the new Suites, Zone B will be J and Zone C and D will be S? Then all lower deck Y? Just a wild guess at this point. This will greatly reduce the number of premium seats available though, which could be beneficial for the higher Y yield routes that the 77WR is not able to handle.

My Guess:
Upper Deck:
Zone A - 4 Suites in 1-1 config
- Long Galley for both Suite and Business Class -
Zone B and Zone C - Around 60 Business Seats in 1-2-1 config
Zone D - Social Area

Lower Deck:
Premium Economy 28-36 seats in the front in 2-4-2 (3 rows 2-stairs-2 around the stairs and 2 or 3 row 2-4-2)

[FSJZ]

Is it too much to hope for it to be in a special 70th Anniversary scheme?

Perhaps an A350 instead?

[flyinghigher]

Is it even slated for delivery this year??

The first A380 of the new 5 is supposed to be EIS October of this year.

[pokfur]

Is it too much to hope for it to be in a special 70th Anniversary scheme?

Is it even slated for delivery this year??