Emirates Unhappy with first 4 A380's

[Kieran Wells]

From http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,28318,25189182-5009000,00.html


DUBAI-BASED airline Emirates is unhappy with its first four giant Airbus A380 aircraft, which showed manufacturing faults that forced flights to be cancelled, a report said on Saturday.
The German weekly Der Spiegel, in its issue to be published on Monday, said Emirates in February gave Airbus officials a 46-page report listing its complaints, including burned electric cables, missing cabin fittings and engine defects.

A source close to Airbus told AFP on Thursday Emirates was seeking a delay in the delivery of several of the long-haul A380 superjumbo jets because of financing difficulties.

The airline is Airbus's biggest customer for the double-decker A380, having ordered 58 of them.

"Emirates could delay deliveries on several planes ... They are in talks" with Airbus, the source said on condition of anonymity.

Emirates "is beginning to have problems for the first time. We always relied on this type of company as a major stable client," the source said.

A spokeswoman for Airbus said discussions with clients were confidential.

And in Dubai an Emirates spokesperson said: "We had a routine meeting with Airbus to discuss aircraft delivery positions down the line. Like all airlines, Emirates continues to assess all options for its fleet and route operations."

Launching of the A380, which entered service with Singapore Airlines in October 2007, was delayed for months because of cabling problems and Airbus has failed to meet delivery schedules since.

[Tim C]

Not a surprise to me. Ever since they ordered 58 I struggled to think how they could fill that much more than anyone else. Even before the current climate.

[Jack B]

even 20 A380's for Qantas seems a bit much to me.....

Wouldn't 777-300ER's have been a better choice for QF?

[AdamB]

I think quite simply the airlines didn't see the economy going south in the manner it has & they imagined everyone would be flying everywhere & that they would need the capacity. I bet Virgin Atlantic are glad they deferred their order!

[Ash W]

even 20 A380's for Qantas seems a bit much to me.....

Wouldn't 777-300ER's have been a better choice for QF?

They wanted the capacity and the room the A380 could offer. A 777 does not even come close in terms of capacity.

[Mike W]

Not when you are replacing 744 metal. Plus it makes sense to use higher capacity equipment in slot controlled ports where capacity is already at its peak i.e. LHR...

Just where are QF using their 380s so far?

[Ash W]

Just where are QF using their 380s so far?

SYD-LHR 3 times a week plus MEL and SYD to LAX.

So whats the point of your Q?

[Mike W]

SYD-LHR 3 times a week plus MEL and SYD to LAX.

So whats the point of your Q?


Thanks for asking. I knew QF were using the 380 to LAX (but not LHR) which to me seemed they straying somewhat from the original restricted hub strategy to more a competitive startegy using the perceived pax space of the 380 to defend the lucrative Pacific route against V Australia.

Nothing sinister.

What days are they flying SYD-LHR?

[Ash W]

Thanks for asking. I knew QF were using the 380 to LAX (but not LHR) which to me seemed they straying somewhat from the original restricted hub strategy to more a competitive startegy using the perceived pax space of the 380 to defend the lucrative Pacific route against V Australia.

Nothing sinister.

What days are they flying SYD-LHR?

Didn't think there was anything sinister in the question! As for LHR, the ops are QF31 ex Sydney Tue/Fri/Sat and QF32 ex London Wed/Sat/Sun. They have been doing this since for a month or two, ie utilising the 3rd a/c.

[Jack B]

Is QF intending to use the A380 to SFO, LAX/JFK (QF107), FRA, JNB?


I agree that they make sense on London and Los Angeles routes, but I have no idea what sort of loads are usually seen on the other USA and German/South African flights.

[Mike W]

Didn't think there was anything sinister in the question! As for LHR, the ops are QF31 ex Sydney Tue/Fri/Sat and QF32 ex London Wed/Sat/Sun. They have been doing this since for a month or two, ie utilising the 3rd a/c.

Thanks Mate.

[Mike W]

Maybe, Qantas didn't need to sign up to the 380 if this is to be believed and LHR slot restrictions are the major reason for the purchase

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/03/16/323910/oneworld-says-heathrow-has-plenty-of-slots.html

Of course, their comments are designed to support an ulterior motive ;)

[Montague S]

Is QF intending to use the A380 to SFO, LAX/JFK (QF107), FRA, JNB?


I agree that they make sense on London and Los Angeles routes, but I have no idea what sort of loads are usually seen on the other USA and German/South African flights.

Frankfurt is a two class destination, not sure about JNB but it may end up there in the distant future.

[Philip Argy]

As for LHR, the ops are QF31 ex Sydney Tue/Fri/Sat and QF32 ex London Wed/Sat/Sun.

I hope this doesn't change for my annual Geneva trip in October as I'm expecting an A380 on QF31 to LHR on 10 October and on QF32 returning on 17 October. If it weren't for that I'd have taken the shorter SYD-FRA-GVA routing instead of SYD-LHR-GVA (and most people think I'm nuts taking the longer route just to get an A380)!

[NickN]

and most people think I'm nuts taking the longer route just to get an A380

Emirates $99 each way to AKL on the A380, go nuts!

Then go SYD-FRA-GVA for your long trip.

[Philip Argy]

Good suggestion, Nick, except that I actually want the A380 to improve my chances of getting a decent sleep on my long trip to London rather than on a few hours across the Tasman in daylight. :)

[NickN]

Going by the reports the A380 is too quiet, you may get less sleep if you can hear kids crying and people talking and other ambient noises. The hum of 4 Rolls Royces on the 744 might mean a better nap.

[Greg McDonald]

Emirates $99 each way to AKL on the A380, go nuts!


That fare doesn't include taxes. When you add them on it becomes almost a standard airfare unfortunately.

[Bernie P]

Going by the reports the A380 is too quiet, you may get less sleep if you can hear kids crying and people talking and other ambient noises. The hum of 4 Rolls Royces on the 744 might mean a better nap.

After doing the A380 to Dubai and back in Feb, certainly is a LOT quieter than other ac I have been on. I even had to endure having a 4-5 yo boy next to me (slept most of the way, as they started their trip from AKL) but his baby brother, well that is another story...