If Air France No Longer Wants The Airbus A380, Will Anyone?

Forbes ^ | November 27, 2018 | Michael Goldstein

[EveningStar]

“I can’t get no respect,” moaned the late and overweight comedian Rodney Dangerfield. The Airbus A380, largest and heaviest airliner in operation today, could say that too after Air France reportedly will dump half of its A380 fleet—aircraft built and tested at the “hometown” Airbus factory in Toulouse.

Like the quashing of a recent rumor that Lufthansa was on the verge of ordering another 15 A380s, this is another black eye for the world’s largest passenger plane. After all, if France and Germany, the countries that build the A380, don’t want it, who will?

[tgusa]

But I would not recommend flying into CDG airport if you can avoid it, unless you relish sh!!tty sandwiches as an excuse for a meal.

[chaser64]

No it can not configured as a freighter
https://www.flexport.com/blog/airbus-a380-no-cargo-equivalent/

[trotskylvalia]

What sort of nimrod would fly arab run airline ?

LOL.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

I will never forget flying to and from Europe in the early 80’s on Pan Am out of JFK.

The first time I saw a 747 up close I was in complete awe. The fact that Pan Am had 15+ lined up gate after gate after gate just made me so proud to be an American; I was 12.

No plane has before or since awed me like a 747. Probably because I saw it at such a young age.

Even seeing the Concorde on the same tarmac didn’t make me have goosebumps watching it take flight.

[SkyDancer]

They tried to compete with Boeing’s B747 and the B777ER and lost.

[PAR35]

After all, if France and Germany, the countries that build the A380, don’t want it, who will?

That's a really softball question.

Charter operations - they will be great for packing in Muzzis making the Haj to Mecca from third world hell holes. Just eat the capital costs of ripping out the kitchens and luggage compartments to greatly increase the seating.

[Cold War Veteran - Submarines]

I had the pleasure of flying on a 787 recently and was very impressed. The wide cabinand those dimming large windows and the smoothness of takeoff through landing was very nice. Never been on an A380 but would like to experience it once for bucket list reasons.

[riverdawg]

This article is over a year old, but I think the order went through:

https://www.emirates.com/media-centre/emirates-places-us151-billion-order-for-40-boeing-787-dreamliners-at-2017-dubai-airshow

[Still Thinking]

And what the heck is with the pilot showing up for work at his desk? No stick or yoke, that’s just weird.

[Sirius Lee]

Get the hell off my lawn!

[mac_truck]

Are there some statistics you’d like to share about this?

[Gamecock]

Indeed!

I have been fortunate to sit in two of the most unique seats in commercial aviation, upstairs in a 747 and row one downstairs.

Upstairs you feel like you are in a small, private jet. From row one, because of the curve of the nose, you can see straight ahead. And when on the ground you are in front of the landing gear. On the ground you have a weird sensation when taxiing, you feel like you are ahead of the turn.

[hanamizu]

Flew on one across the country by myself when I was 4. By the time I got home, I didn’t want to leave the plane.

When I cleared out my mom’s apartment, I found pics of me getting off of the Constellation. Beautiful plane.

[rlmorel]

I would expect the A380 to be comfortable, but that many people on board gives me the willies.

I read the Joe Sutter book “747”, and if you like aviation, it is a must read!

[Phlyer]

The A380 was the quintessential top-down, bureaucratic committee product.

Add to that French arrogance, which dictated that they have the 'most' something - and biggest counts on that measure.

But more than that, your point is exactly right. Bureaucrats want control above all, and forcing people to fly in big planes that go when the bureaucrats schedule is more control than allowing travelers to choose among more frequent flights in smaller planes.

This is why there are no truly 'democratic' socialist states. Once the bureaucrats determine that a particular 'solution' is best 'for the people', then it becomes treason not to take advantage of it. How dare people want to travel on their own schedule? (See Hayek's, "The Road to Serfdom.")

See also: "Light rail," "Commuter trains," "All-electric cars," "Renewable energy." All are inefficient - if one's personal choices are a factor - outside of very high density housing (which is another bureaucratic desire).

[Phlyer]

The A380 was the quintessential top-down, bureaucratic committee product.

Add to that French arrogance, which dictated that they have the 'most' something - and biggest counts on that measure.

But more than that, your point is exactly right. Bureaucrats want control above all, and forcing people to fly in big planes that go when the bureaucrats schedule is more control than allowing travelers to choose among more frequent flights in smaller planes.

This is why there are no truly 'democratic' socialist states. Once the bureaucrats determine that a particular 'solution' is best 'for the people', then it becomes treason not to take advantage of it. How dare people want to travel on their own schedule? (See Hayek's, "The Road to Serfdom.")

See also: "Light rail," "Commuter trains," "All-electric cars," "Renewable energy." All are inefficient - if one's personal choices are a factor - outside of very high density housing (which is another bureaucratic desire).

[Phlyer]

Oops. Rented fingers.

[Bobalu]

I love the 747 and also the legendary 707.

Amazingly, the old 707 is still a viable aircraft that is in service by both civilian and military users...it’s simply the finest fuel tanker in existence. It’s also a great platform for AWACS and scientific purposes.

Airbus is a bust IMO..if not for unfair state sponsorship it would not exist, and that would be best IMO. Too big, takes way to much airport to support and too expensive to operate.

If it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going!

[rlmorel]

Huh. Never looked at it before, it is kind of odd to me. Here is a 787 cockpit for comparison down below:

The Boeing flight deck does have a more military look to it, that is for sure.

[rlmorel]

Ditto on that post of yours! I know Boeing is a bunch of union weenies, but...I like their product. Always have...