Airbus A380 Woes Continue

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Guys

Apart from the odd one or two , most passengers agree that the A380 has introduced new standards of passenger comfort to airline travel - I've travelled on QF, SQ and EK and would pick an A380 ahead of any other airliner currently flying if given the choice, except perhaps a 77W/L.

That said, Airbus hasn't done itself any favours with the aircraft's industralisation issues, slow production ramp up, and range of options offered to launch customers, and I believe the jury is probably still out on whether Airbus will ever sell the ~500 required to turn a profit on the program.

I also doubt the launch airlines have configured the A380 in the best and most efficent way, hence QF's decision to re-configure its last eight jets, and may not be using it to its potential either. I guess later configurations and routing will tell. The IFE problems that people complain about are airline furnished equipment, and generally not related to the aircraft itself.