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The A380 interior. Extreme comfort and a full
range of the latest entertainment gadgets.
The Airbus A380 double-deck passenger jet
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It is estimated that world traffic volume will increase from the
current annual 24 trillion kilometres (15 trillion miles) to in
excess of 100 trillion kilometres (62 trillion miles) by 2050. Travel
by car will drop from 53% of total transport use to 35%, with high-speed
transport such as air travel increasing from 9% to more than 40%.
The increase
will put further pressure on inflight tension as airlines scramble
for more capacity per trip in an effort to keep operating costs
down. The often cramped seating arrangements, specifically in economy
class, has led to an increase in passenger violence. The Airbus
company might just have the answer to more comfortable travel with
their new double-deck jet, the A380.
The family
of A380 aircraft, each with twin aisles and 2 levels, provides more
room than any previous aircraft. Passengership-style stairs lead
between the levels. The cargo compartments can be used for shops,
exercise areas and sleeping rooms.
The baseline
A380-100, with a capacity of 555 passengers in three classes, boasts
a range of up to 14,200km (7,650nm). The stretched A380-200 is capable
of transporting 656 passengers, also up to 14,200km (7,650nm). The
A380-100R variant retains the 555 seat capacity, but with a range
of 16,200km (8,750nm). Also under consideration is a smaller version,
the A380-50R, to carry 481 passengers up to the same 16,200km (8,750nm)
range as the 100R.
The freighter
market, which has been growing at twice the rate of the passenger
market, gets the Airbus A380-100F with a payload of 150 tonnes (330,000lbs)
and a range of 10,630km (5,725nm). Combi versions feature either
seven main deck pallets providing 473 seats and 37.9 tonnes (83,380lbs)
of cargo with a range of 13,500km (7,270nm) or an 11-pallet layout,
421 seats, 51.3 tonnes (112,860lbs) of cargo and a range of 12,940km
(6,970nm).
At the
request of airlines and airport authorities, the A380 fits within
an 80 x 80m (262 x 262 ft) horizontal box, to make best use of current
runways, taxiways and gates. The A380 will use the same runway length
as the Boeing 747, even though its fuselage is 25cm (10 in) wider.
Airbus also developed a new light material called Glare, made of
fibreglass and aluminium alloy, which would shave several tonnes
off the weight.
Airbus
aims to make the A380 the most pleasurable flying experience possible,
regardless of a traveller's size or class of ticket. A show flight
took place in 2006 with service flights scheduled for 2008.
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