Emirates President Tim Clark made some interesting comments at the IATA AGM about the future of Emirates’ Airbus A380s. He stated that Emirates’ plan is to keep flying the A380 through 2040. That’s not all, though, as he made another noteworthy revelation, though I’m not holding my breath.
Continue reading: Emirates Plans New Airbus A380 First Class Suite, But I’m Skeptical
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
One would have thought that a simple ‘veneer’ change, as per the photographs, will refresh the cabin along with new upholstery perhaps?
Less bling and more taste will not go amiss.
One thing I didn't realize about the EK 380s is how many different configs exist - 8 to be exact: https://www.aerolopa.com/ek
This could also play a role, along with the frame ages and retirement timing, as there will likely be some consolidation of these by mission (I don't know why there are some minor differences in the Y seat counts within some of the classifications).
Well interior cabin width difference between the A380 upper deck and 777 its pretty similar: A380 19 feet 5" and 777 19 ft 3".
@ Ivan -- On the surface that might be true, but it doesn't account for the greater curvature of the fuselage, which is also why the A380 generally has bins along the fuselage on the upper deck. For example, just look at how most airlines have a 3-4-3 configuration in economy on the 777, while they have a 2-4-2 configuration in economy on the upper deck of the A380.
@ N515CR -- The minor difference in economy seat count comes down to whether planes have crew rest areas or not. So for A380s that don't fly long haul, the airline can fit a few extra seats in, and also save the weight of the crew rest facility. Otherwise, the difference mainly comes down to whether planes have premium economy or not, plus there are the A380s without first class, which are the carrier's highest capacity aircraft.
Emirates is my go to airlines if it goes to my destination. And I do love their first class. However, recently I needed to be on Air France. Let me tell you, their first class product is outstanding. Emirates could take a few lessons.
The could use the space much more efficiently. Even after toning-down the gold trim and the shiny wood paneling, things still feel a little cluttered to me, and 14 seats is a huge cabin. Sadly the number of seats is unlikely to decrease while they’re selling so many of them. It’s lucky they have such a fantastic soft product.
Makes sense. It also looks like galley configs are different across some of the versions. I just wonder if any of this comes into play when retirements start.
Ben,
10 B777-300ER now sport the gamechanger first class.
A6-EQF have been recently retrofitted with 6 first class instead of the 8 it had.