A380 1st Flights/Delivery Flights Thread

[zvezda]

But the A380s are supposed to replace the 744s somehow, if it only replaces 1 flight to LHR, what aircraft will operate the other flights?

Not long ago, SQ operated 45 JumboJets in their passenger fleet. There is no way they will all be replaced by WhaleJets. Now, SQ operate 24 Jumbos (was 27 about a month ago). Even those won't all be replaced by WhaleJets.

In general, SQ will increase frequencies and add destinations (so that fewer of their passengers have to connect onto/from other airlines).

Specifically with LHR, the other flights will be operated by the B777-300ER.

[sq_a380]

But the A380s are supposed to replace the 744s somehow, if it only replaces 1 flight to LHR, what aircraft will operate the other flights?

[zvezda]

Just wanted to make sure I got which flights you were referring to, zvezda. The three flights from LHR to SIN are currently: late morning / noon, late afternoon, and late evening.

The ones that will get the A380 are the first and the last?

Wait, SQ is flying the A380 to LHR twice a day?

Currently planned is just once per day, the morning departure from LHR. If SQ firm their LoI for 9 more WhaleJets, then the last LHR departure will also get upgauged to the WhaleJet.

[AndrewSQ011]

The early morning departure from LHR will get it first. The late afternoon departure from LHR will get it if and only if SQ firm the 9 additional WhaleJets now on LoI. The early afternoon departure from LHR will probably never see a WhaleJet.

Just wanted to make sure I got which flights you were referring to, zvezda. The three flights from LHR to SIN are currently: late morning / noon, late afternoon, and late evening.

The ones that will get the A380 are the first and the last?

Wait, SQ is flying the A380 to LHR twice a day?

[jjpb3]

The early morning departure from LHR will get it first. The late afternoon departure from LHR will get it if and only if SQ firm the 9 additional WhaleJets now on LoI. The early afternoon departure from LHR will probably never see a WhaleJet.

Just wanted to make sure I got which flights you were referring to, zvezda. The three flights from LHR to SIN are currently: late morning / noon, late afternoon, and late evening.

The ones that will get the A380 are the first and the last?

[globetrekker84]

I would say a route that would be easier to start and give some competition to CX is LAX-HKG-SIN and vv with a 77W.

In the future I see them upgrading SIN-NRT-LAX with a A380.
We'll see about 787 or A350 or 77L doing SIN-LAX or SIN-EWR direct.

I totally agree. I would love to see a fourth daily LAX flight and perhaps put a little dent into the CX stranglehold. I don't think either the 787 or the A350XWB can make those ULR routes.

[fumitani]

I would say a route that would be easier to start and give some competition to CX is LAX-HKG-SIN and vv with a 77W.

In the future I see them upgrading SIN-NRT-LAX with a A380.
We'll see about 787 or A350 or 77L doing SIN-LAX or SIN-EWR direct.

[zvezda]

Will SQ send their A380s to LAX?

SQ definitely need to increase capacity between SIN and LAX. Putting a WhaleJet on SQ11/12 would be one option for doing that. Perhaps a more interesting option would be putting a B777-300ER on SQ37/38, but it would have range problems westbound on windy days. The most interesting option would be adding SIN-PVG-LAX, but it would tough to get permission from the Chinese government.

[globetrekker84]

Will SQ send their A380s to LAX?

God I hope so. SQ11/12 can support the high demand, but given our lovely city's bureaucratic ups, it's still nowhere near A380-ready. And no, those remote terminals do not count. I don't want to be shuttled in those crusty buses. It can barely handle the evening bank of flights with all those 747s arriving, much less the A380s.

[AndrewSQ011]

I hear that two of the three LHR flights will get the A380s.

Will SQ send their A380s to LAX?

[zvezda]

I hear that two of the three LHR flights will get the A380s.

The early morning departure from LHR will get it first. The late afternoon departure from LHR will get it if and only if SQ firm the 9 additional WhaleJets now on LoI. The early afternoon departure from LHR will probably never see a WhaleJet.

[globetrekker84]

I wonder if the A380s will be deployed on several regional/short haul rotations as well just like the A345 and now the 77W?

Also will more than just one LHR flights get the A380 eventually? I'd love to see it on SQ319 as that is the flagship return flight for my preference. I hate the timings of SQ317 and wouldn't fly on that flight even with the A380 operating it (which likely will be the case since the turnaround flight for SQ322 is SQ317).

I hear that two of the three LHR flights will get the A380s.

[Rejuvenated]

I wonder if the A380s will be deployed on several regional/short haul rotations as well just like the A345 and now the 77W?

Also will more than just one LHR flights get the A380 eventually? I'd love to see it on SQ319 as that is the flagship return flight for my preference. I hate the timings of SQ317 and wouldn't fly on that flight even with the A380 operating it (which likely will be the case since the turnaround flight for SQ322 is SQ317).

[globetrekker84]

Nice thread.

BTW I also like the fact that the royal blue tailfin doesn't have that straight-line thing going like the 77W.

[9V-JKL]

9V-SKC's 1st flight on 17/Nov 2006
http://www1.airliners.net/open.file/1142970/M/