Now, that's cattle car seating
Just pack 'em in
(Credit: Airbus.com)I've always regarded the Airbus A380 with both awe and anxiety. I'm in awe of the technological achievement of producing the world's biggest airliner, even if it lacks the graceful lines of a 747. And though I'd fly on it if I had to sit on a cardboard box, I'm still anxious about spending 14 hours crammed into a coach seat hurtling through the air with the population of a small town. But according to an Airbus exec, 500 passengers is just a drop in the bucket compared with what the behemoth place could really carry.
Like this, but tighter
(Credit: Airbus)Speaking yesterday in Australia, Chief Commercial Officer John Leahy suggested that the A380 could be a viable option for budget airlines looking to fill hundreds of seats on the cheap. "We can do 11 abreast in coach," Leahy said. "Some have said we could split the cabins and have a high-density coach and full-service coach."
Though the plane currently is certified to carry up to 852 people (the average will be 400 to 525), stretched versions of the A380 that are currently on the drawing board could carry a mind-blowing 1,000 passengers. Wow.
Now just to give you some perspective, the 747-400 (the long-time gorilla of the sky) carries about 415 people, give or take a few. And that's in 10-abreast seating in coach. Just think about one airplane carrying double the number of bodies with each row having three seats on either side and five seats in the middle. Even with the A380's larger size, it absolutely would have a crowded feel. And here I thought Southwest Airlines was bad.
Now this is comfort
(Credit: Airbus)I'm not about to get alarmist about how the A380 would overwhelm airports. The 747 had its critics when it made its first commercial flight in 1970 but airports adapted to it in time. Yet, 1,000 people will no doubt be a logistical challenge and airports have made adjustments for the the plane already. Just think about that security line. And in any case, I'd much prefer this concept of an A380 first class with individual cabins.
Anyway, suppose the A380 actually makes it into service (it is already two years and counting behind schedule), even if the airport reconfigured the terminal to support this behemoth, it would still take an engineering degree to manage the boarding/deboarding of this flying whale.
Three, four, five, six entryways need to be engaged and even then there will be the usual obstacles: someone trying to stuff an oversized bag into an undersized bin, some slowpoke who can't figured out where seat 85A is, etc. Because of the Keystone Kops (aka TSA) we already have to be at the airport WELL before departure; now, with the A380 we have to be at the airport the day BEFORE the flight.
Wonderful.
Also, as evalowrain said, boarding times could become significantly longer since the crew needs to check more things. And we all know what happens when there are more things to check... the probability of having human error is higher. The chief flight steward/stewardess better have enough hair on their head to rip off.
I assume Airbus is trying to drum up more customers for their Monster Plan with this 'pack 'em in like sardines' sales promotion. Sounds great...if you're into max efficiency, I suppose. Why have twice as many flights when once is enough? Perhaps it's good for the airline's bottom line, but for the flying consumer it's just another convoluted inconvenience to put up with while traveling. Not only do we have to deal with the realities of boarding and debarking of this s***load of humanity, we have to do it within the context of the post-911 era. Moreover, if the operations of this plane is meant to cut down on the number of flights, then it also cuts down on the number of options for us--the flying public--to choose from.
Yeah, the A380...al-Qaeda must be frothing at the mouth over these elephants.
I hope that the airlines will be including valium with every ticket.