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Implications Of A United Airlines A380 Superjumbo Order
There has been a rumor that has come from reliable sources at United Airlines (NYSE:UAL) that states the company is in intermediate stages in ordering the Airbus A380 - the world's largest passenger aircraft. Airbus (OTCPK:EADSY) is reportedly going to be giving United two A380 aircraft on a trial basis that were originally destined for the now bankrupt Skymark Airlines of Japan. (seekingalpha.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
One of the old-timers once told me back in the ole days,40s-50s. a Captain could buy a new Ford with his monthly pay check. It appears that a United A380 pilot will be able to buy a Rolls Royce with his yearly check. Or a low end Ford with his monthly pay check.
A Flightglobal story quotes John Rainey, UA CFO, that the 380 does not fit in the airlines plans, and this story says it is in the airline plan.
United said "nope, not something we want"
Back in the 70s Braniff acquired a couple of 747s one of which "747 Braniff Place" a.k.a. Fat Albert was used exclusively on the DFW-HNL-DFW run approximately 8 hours flight time each leg. This was a money maker for a variety of reasons: it attracted lots of passengers, good service on board and maintenace was two orders of magnitude less costly than other long range aircraft as each cycle was a whopping 8 hours long. See why a couple or more 380s can not be operated on long thick routs over the Pacific and make money in the process.
"...380s can not be operated on long thick routes over the Pacific and make money..." It is called competition.
And then there is the well documented leasing of 4 Airbus 300 to Eastern Airlines (reportedely at zero cost other than fuel, crew and maintenance) which after a short while showing 30% less fuel burn than the Lockheed Tristar and then as the saying goes, the rest was history which in this particular instance was an initial (and desperately needed) sale of 22 such aircraft to Eastern placing Airbus for the first time as a real world contender in the cutthroat airframe making business.
If I read the original article correctly, Airbus are 'giving' on a trial basis two aircraft so I imagine this to be an opportunity for UNITED and AIRBUS to give BOEING a kick up the rear! The B747-8I seemingly does not offer enough to manage any of those quality long haul routes.
Emirates apart, most operators of the 380 market the aircraft as a premium product at standard fares in economy cabin with any extras available on board at a modest cost and passengers willing to pay rather than have them as an unused but paid for benefit within the ticket price.
If United do take this up and succeed with it and then buy up surplus MAS and older Emirates versions, then a stampede of orders for potential upgrade model may then ensue!
Perhaps US carriers are waiting for used aircraft to lease as Emirates begin to offload early models in favour of the expected upgraded versions with new engines.
I further wonder how many US citizens fly the return
leg of any A380 service from any airport I.e. LAX -LHR simply because it is the A380? Another Concorde experience perhaps?
Emirates apart, most operators of the 380 market the aircraft as a premium product at standard fares in economy cabin with any extras available on board at a modest cost and passengers willing to pay rather than have them as an unused but paid for benefit within the ticket price.
If United do take this up and succeed with it and then buy up surplus MAS and older Emirates versions, then a stampede of orders for potential upgrade model may then ensue!
Perhaps US carriers are waiting for used aircraft to lease as Emirates begin to offload early models in favour of the expected upgraded versions with new engines.
I further wonder how many US citizens fly the return
leg of any A380 service from any airport I.e. LAX -LHR simply because it is the A380? Another Concorde experience perhaps?