After several years of no new orders for the A380, Airbus finally got some life back into the program when they ended 2015 with an announcement that All Nippon Airways will be purchasing three A380 aircraft.
I suspect ANA was somewhat strong-armed into purchasing them, given that it was likely related to Skymark’s bankruptcy. Airbus was Skymark’s second biggest creditor, and ANA really wanted some more Tokyo Haneda slots, so some A380 orders may have very well been the deciding factor in them getting Skymark’s slots.
ANA placed orders for just three A380s, making their A380 fleet the smallest of any airline operating the airplane.
Last October I wrote about how All Nippon Airways was going to introduce a special livery on their A380, and they were looking for people to submit their design ideas. The winner would receive two roundtrip business class tickets between Tokyo and Honolulu when the service launches. Though really the most exciting part was that your design would be featured on the world’s biggest plane.
Well, that contest is now done, and ANA has picked a winning design, called “Flying Honu.” Per a press release from Airbus:
On March 6, All Nippon Airways (ANA) revealed a special livery for the A380. The livery was selected from over 2,000 submissions received in an open competition organized by the carrier. The winning design will be painted on the airline’s first new A380, which will be delivered early in 2019. ANA will operate the aircraft on its most popular leisure route, from Tokyo to Honolulu.
The winning entry is a colorful design featuring the Hawaiian green sea turtle – a symbol of good luck and prosperity in Hawaii.
Okay, is that a cool livery, or what? I can’t wait to see this plane in person, when it enters service between Tokyo and Honolulu in early 2019.
In addition to the cool livery, I can’t wait to try ANA’s A380 first class product. I’ve flown A380 first class on every airline operating the plane, and am excited to add another one to my list… eventually. However, I doubt ANA will actually introduce a new first class product — they’re introducing the plane on a primarily leisure route, so I suspect they’ll use the same product they have on their 777s.
ANA has also shared the four runner-up liveries that were submitted.
What do you make of ANA’s special turtle livery?
Is there any infrastructure at Honolulu to support the a380?
A380 ANA "Flying Honu" 3D model https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/aircraft/commercial/airbus-a380-ana-flying-honu-design
Given the traffic Japan - HNL, and that there's a lot of weddings and Japanese like premium classes, I wouldn't call this a white elephant.
We'll see how it goes, but it's not like Australia-Bali.
And more great artwork for ANA!
I do like how Stephen + Cayden used the cheatlines to form the ocean. Thought that was a nice touch.
HNL is my home so can't wait to fly this route when it starts up. The Green Sea Turtle was the right choice, especially compared to the runner-ups.
Laughing out LOUD @Miz I'm sure we all think that! Good god they are awful, but I do like what "won" (what they HAD to go with ;-) haha
As a turtle lover, I think it's sweet! I wish more airlines spiced up their livery. I used to love going on the QF Dreamtime 747.
@martin - couldn't agree more re the A380. So many articles out there suggesting it has no future but for passenger comfort and experience, nothing beats it. Shame that customer preference isn't what drives business choices!
Honolulu is an odd choice for the A380. They can fill an A380 for sure but with lower-yielding passengers. Configure the plane that way and you can't use it on high value routes like Tokyo to London. Nor is it super long-range.
The A380 is also best used on slot-constrained airports, which Haneda is but Honolulu isn't.
But I love this plane and really can't understand why there aren't more of them, Emirates aside of...
Honolulu is an odd choice for the A380. They can fill an A380 for sure but with lower-yielding passengers. Configure the plane that way and you can't use it on high value routes like Tokyo to London. Nor is it super long-range.
The A380 is also best used on slot-constrained airports, which Haneda is but Honolulu isn't.
But I love this plane and really can't understand why there aren't more of them, Emirates aside of course. I'll choose Qantas, Singapore or British just to fly a 380 over a boring old 777. And ANA is a class act so this portends well
@Gregg - but is that speaking from a US-centric view? Hawaii is still a primary leisure and wedding destination for the Japanese. Per his 2016 article, current flights between HND and HNL are running at 80-90% capacity. Shift that to larger aircraft and it probably doesn't drop significantly. The article also suggests that the outlook is more Japanese visitors to Hawaii annually.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/12/business/japanese-tourists-longing-hawaii-still-worth-banking/
@Gregg - but is that speaking from a US-centric view? Hawaii is still a primary leisure and wedding destination for the Japanese. Per his 2016 article, current flights between HND and HNL are running at 80-90% capacity. Shift that to larger aircraft and it probably doesn't drop significantly. The article also suggests that the outlook is more Japanese visitors to Hawaii annually.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/03/12/business/japanese-tourists-longing-hawaii-still-worth-banking/
If those are the runner ups, I guess they had no other choice!
I'm guessing Cayden did the mess on the top.
Aww poor kid tried.
Hey Paul,
Spent 30 years in the airline industry, half of my career in passenger marketing, with a global carrier that had both Boeing and Airbus narrow and wide body aircraft. Regardless of the plane being flown Hawaii is and always will be a low yield market. There's no escaping that simple reality.
Hey Gregg! How's your day going there in the Boeing PR Dept?
Love the turtle! It's very appropriate for the market being served with the white elephants they bought. They'll no doubt fill the plane at roughly fuel-only fares. Even business and first will have to be discounted to get butts into seats. And there is a lot of competition in the market. I suspect ANA will dump these birds the first opportunity they get.
The runner up liveries look horrible, but at least the winner looks cute! Can't wait to see one
Dear god it's hideous!!!