Perhaps, but there's still the point of diminishing returns that nobody is addressing. Is there really demand for 600 seats a day in enough markets to make the aircraft profitable? A lot of early adapters of the 747 eventually downsized into DC10s and L1011s because there just wasn't enough demand to fill the whales on a daily and annual basis. AMR still won't consider the 744 because of that.
Yes there is. How come airlines like QA, CP, NZ, SQ, etc. survived for many years with flying B747? They had a different business model. if it is not working for AA does not mean that it will not work for other airlines.
The only two US airlines that still have B747 are UA and NW. They might be the only one that could handle an A380 on the Pacific. US carriers are more about flying domestic than international.
On July 21 CargoLux was looking into 10 Advanced 747. Jal, Cathay, British Airways, ANA and a few others are looking into the Advanced 747. BA is the big 800 pound gorilla in this, since they have 57 747-400 to replace in the next 10 years and many A380's will be operated to LHR by their competition. BA was "looking" into new long haul planes this week says the Financial Times. The 777-200LR looms large in the quest for the longest range jet, so whatever the outcome in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong it will be interesting. I think the A380 is a niche machine and airlines are looking for more 350-400 passenger airplanes, if its 500 then the A380 is your answer.
On July 21 CargoLux was looking into 10 Advanced 747. Jal, Cathay, British Airways, ANA and a few others are looking into the Advanced 747. BA is the big 800 pound gorilla in this, since they have 57 747-400 to replace in the next 10 years and many A380's will be operated to LHR by their competition. BA was "looking" into new long haul planes this week says the Financial Times. The 777-200LR looms large in the quest for the longest range jet, so whatever the outcome in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong it will be interesting. I think the A380 is a niche machine and airlines are looking for more 350-400 passenger airplanes, if its 500 then the A380 is your answer.
Boeing did not even consider a new B747 till they got pushed against the wall by Airbus. Yes BA and others will consider the B747. You are comparing apples with oranges. Compare the B777 with the A340 and the B747 with the A380. THe one has nothing to do with the other. For airlines that don't have all the slots they need, an A380 makes more sence. They at least can haul as many PAX as they can on one flight, where they would need more than one B747. And a streched B747 would come close to the number of PAX that an A380, just that they have a little less cargo room, which a the end is a profitability factor in operating an aircraft. You have to look into all aspects and not just because you dislike Airbus you think that they are buildng an aircraft the is not up to your liking. Airlines that are profitable are choosing the A380 (FedEx, Lufthansa, Singapore etc.) for a reason. Ask them about their opinion and you will hear a different story. There is a need for a varaiety of aircrafts and Boeing is not always the answer.
I don't disfavor Airbus, they make fine planes, but an A380 is egineering testosterone. The A300-200 is better then a 767-300ER. If you are Emirates or Singapore then you are going to make a grand statement with the the A380. Singapore and Dubai don't have slots problems, some foreign airports they serve do. But the airlines whose homes are at the biggest slot restricted airports, BA at LHR and JAL at Narita haven't ordered the A380. Interesting? WHY hasn't BA ponied up? Do you really believe, "we are waiting to see it in service"?
BA makes its money it Club and First Class, which is why they ordered 777, so they can carry they same number of premuim class passengers and less coach. BA is interested in"profitable" passengers, not carrying the most. BA may leave some passengers at the lower prices to others but you can't argue about it success in First and Club. I see many 777-300ER's and a few 777-200LR's for nonstop Australia service, but the A380 in BA colors is still only useful to an Airbus salesman. Luftansa, UPS, FEDEX and others have reasons for the A380 but their reasons are different then BA's.
