Airbus
A380, double Decker of the skies.
The gigantic double Decker airliner built by Airbus, the A380, first
flew on April 27th 2005. The aircraft combines the very latest in
composite materials, computing systems and industrial manufacturing
processes.
The A380 can carry 35 per cent more passengers than its closest rival,
and with nearly 50 percent more floor space there is far more room
for passengers to stretch their legs, standard seating is around 1"
(2.5 cm) wider than most other airliners.
The interior space is divided into two levels, with economy, business
and first class seating, some configurations may even allow for shops,
bars and rest areas.
The A380’s size and efficiency allow for 15-20 per cent lower
seat-mile costs than an average airliner, while its range is 10 per
cent greater than that of other large capacity aircraft.
The A380 aircraft come in a variety of models and configurations,
starting with a passenger aircraft capable of
carrying 555 passengers in three classes, and a range of up to 15,000
km./8,000 nm. The freighter version, designated the A380F, can carry
a payload of 150 tonnes (330,000 lbs) over 10,400 km./5,600nm.
The A380’s light weight construction utilising composite materials
helps make it a highly fuel-efficient aircraft, in fact the A380 uses
less than three litres of fuel per passenger over 100 km, a rate similar
to an economical family car.
Airbus designed the A380 in collaboration with some 60 major airports,
to help integrate the aircraft into normal passenger service as smoothly
as possible.
The area the A380 is destined to excel is in long haul flights, where
the usual feeling of being a battery chicken will be replaced with
a luxurious flying experience.
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