Tag Archives: airbus a380

Revealed – first British Airways Airbus A380 Seat Map

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As part of my ongoing series of posts about the first British Airways Airbus A380, which they say will fly passengers for the first time in May 2013, here is a sneak peek at the seat map which BA have published.

first British Airways Airbus A380 Seat Map
British Airways Airbus A380 Seat Map

I remember when Airbus first announced the A380 that there was talk of shopping malls, gyms, restaurants and bars on board. But we all knew what would really happen didn’t we? Once built, this giant aircraft would simply be crammed to the rivets with seats.

So unless you can afford to fly FIRST, Club World or World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) – it’ll be the same knees into chest cattle class experience for the majority.

Still I believe the plane is much quieter!

Over to you: What do you think of the first British Airways A380 seat map?Whilst the first British Airways A380 has yet to fly passengers I’d love to hear stories of your trips on other airline’s A380s. What’s it like in all classes? Does the economy traveller really notice a difference? Share your thoughts. Click on “Leave a reply” just below and tell your story

Or for a taste of BA’s premium cabins please click here to watch my video review of flying BA FIRST Class on a Boeing 747.

Or for a two-minute trip report video of a BA Domestic flight – click here.

Video of first British Airways Airbus A380 landing in Europe – but it looks “naked”

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Continuing my occasional look at building a BA super jumbo, here is a great YouTube video I found of the first BA A380 landing in Europe.

It looks “undressed” as they have only painted the tailplane and engines into BA colours – the rest of the plane is curiously “naked“.

The video is 5 minutes long but the landing happens within the first 30 seconds and that’s what is worth watching.

I still think that this is an ugly aircraft – even more so when it is in the “buff“. But you cannot avoid being amazed by how such a huge lump of metal can stay in the air.

Over to you: If you liked this Video of first British Airways Airbus A380 landing click here to see a picture. Or for a taste of BA’s premium cabins please click here to watch my video review of flying BA FIRST Class on a Boeing 747.

Rolls Royce Trent Engines fitted to first British Airways Airbus A380

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Continuing my occasional look at building a BA super jumbo, here is a shot of the Rolls Royce Trent engines fitted to first British Airways Airbus A380.

Rolls Royce Trent Engines fitted to first British Airways Airbus A380
First BA A380: Click to tweet this photo:

Each Trent 700 delivers 70,000lbs of thrust.

Rolls Royce usually name their engines after UK rivers. The Avon engines powered the Comet in the 1960s. Spey engines kept the BAC 1-11 in the air. The Tay was build for the Fokker 100 aircraft. And most recently the Trent jets appeared on Boeing 777s and Airbus A330/340s. I’ve always thought it odd that perhaps the most famous of all Rolls Royce’s jets, the one that powered the original Boeing 747 Jumbo was known only as the RB211. Why not the Tyne or the Mersey?

Rolls Royce Trent Engines fitted to first British Airways Airbus A380
First BA A380

Over to you: If you liked this post click here to see the first British Airways Airbus A380 coming out of the construction hangar. Or for a taste of BA’s premium cabins please click here to watch my video review of flying BA FIRST Class on a Boeing 747.

First British Airways Airbus A380 out of the Hangar

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British Airways have used Boeing 747 “Jumbo” jets on long haul routes since the 1970s. They still have 57 of these beasts in the fleet. Even today I think that this iconic jet looks beautiful in flight. And if you can afford seats up front (FIRST) or upstairs (Club Class) – or know how to use air-miles to get them – it offers a luxurious way to travel.

But BA has decided that the future of long haul “big” jets lies with the Airbus A380 which differs from the jumbo in that it features a double deck across its whole length. Here is a picture of the first British Airways Airbus A380 coming out of the construction hangar recently.

First British Airways Airbus A380

BA’s reasons for choosing it are that it’s more fuel efficient, quieter, more spacious and can carry more passengers than the jumbo that was designed in the 1960s.

This may be so and I must admit I look forward to trying out the A380. But I have one problem with this double decked leviathan. Compared to the beautiful graceful sweeping lines of the 747, this modern people carrier looks just bloody ugly.

Over to you: Do you prefer the 747 or the A380. I’d love to hear what your experiences of both are. We were promised gyms are cinemas when I imagine economy is still quite cramped. What is the experience like in each travel class?

Please click here to watch my video review of flying BA FIRST Class on a Boeing 747.