Hi Guys, for your information below is a list of Airbus A380 operators, it'll be followed by some basis facts regarding Europe's "Super Jumbo":
A380-X Operators
The maiden A380 flight took place on 27th April 2005.
The designation “eight-8†in the title “A380†was chosen to represent the shape of the aircraft’s twin passenger decks.
For reduction of weight and prevention of corrosion, Airbus proposed unprecedented levels of composite materials in the aircraft’s structure. About 25% of the aircraft is of composites, of which 22% is carbon-fiber reinforced plastic & 3% GLARE fiber-metal laminate (first ever used on a civilian airliner!). Its prominent features, apart from reduction of weight are decreased fuel burn, fewer emissions & lower operational costs.
For the first time ever Airbus introduced Energy Alliance’s GP 7200 engines (a joint venture by General Electric and Pratt & Whitney) as well as Rolls-Royce’s Trent 900 engines. Both of these options produce less noise as compared to Boeing 747, are environment friendly and have been rated 70,000 to 80,000 lbs (311 to 356 kN) in the thrust range.
PAX capacity: 550 PAX (approx.) in standard & over 800 in all-economy layout!
Airbus A380 floor capacity is 49% more than its rival, Boeing’s Jumbo Jet (B747-400)
Approx Take-off weight: 1,200,000 lbs (550 tones)
Break-even point will be achieved by the manufacturer when it’ll sell 250 aircraft.
Stretched A380-900 with seating capacity of about 656 PAX (in the standard layout) & “Ultra Shrunk†A380-700 (seating capacity unknown : remember the Boeing 747SP???) are the expected successors of A380-800.
