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Sunday, 12 February 2023
I flew on the giant Airbus A380 for the first time ever. Here are the 8 coolest things about Singapore Airline's version of the world's largest airliner.
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380
Vytautas Kielaitis/Shutterstock
Singapore Airlines operates one of the world's largest fleets of Airbus A380 superjumbos.
Eleven of the 12 aircraft are configured with four cabins: first, business, premium economy, and regular coach.
I flew on the mammoth jet for the first time ever and was impressed with the aircraft's unique features.
The Airbus A380 double-decker is the world's largest passenger jet.
An Emirates Airbus A380.
Arnold Aaron/Shutterstock.com
With four engines and a 262-foot wingspan, which is longer than the length of an Olympic-sized pool, the incredible machine was introduced in 2007 to much fanfare.
Singapore Airlines received the first-ever A380 and has since built a 12-strong fleet — making it one of the world's largest operators alongside British Airways and Emirates.
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-800.
SOPA Images/Contributor/Getty Images
While Airbus hoped the aircraft would be a powerful competitor to Boeing's successful 747, it entered the market too late. More fuel-efficient aircraft with just two engines, like the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330neo, were favored for their lower operating costs.
Air New Zealand 777-300ER economy cabin.
Phillip Capper
And, with the introduction of the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 next-generation jets, the need for the A380 diminished. Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas told Simple Flying in September 2021 that one A380 flight costs about the same as 2.5 Boeing 787 flights.
Etihad's Boeing 787 aircraft (pictured) can carry between 231 and 299 passengers, per SeatGuru. This means the airline could transport between 577 and 747 people on 2.5 Dreamliner flights. That's much more than its A380 494-person capacity.
Production peaked between 2012 and 2014 before Airbus ended the program in 2021. The manufacturer produced and delivered 251 A380s over 14 years.
The final Airbus A380 was delivered to Emirates.
Airbus-Lutz Borck
However, the superjumbo is still a workhorse for a handful of airlines worldwide thanks to its huge capacity that has proven valuable for bustling hub-and-spoke networks.
Inside the cabin of a Lufthansa A380.
Lufthansa.
This means passengers — including those in the US — can experience the A380 on routes to places like Asia, Australia, and Europe.
A Qantas Airbus A380.
Ryan Fletcher/Shutterstock
I recently flew on the jet for the very first time in January and was overwhelmed by the size and comforts. Here are the 8 coolest things about Singapore's A380.
Taylor Rains/Insider, Jetlinerimages/Getty Images
1. The plane is ginormous, so several jetbridges were used to board all passengers efficiently.
Singapore Airlines' A380 at Frankfurt.
Taylor Rains/Insider
My flight on the double-decker plane journeyed from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Singapore via Frankfurt, Germany.
Singapore Airlines' premium economy and economy signs in Frankfurt airport.
Taylor Rains/Insider
This is known as a "fifth freedom" right, which allows an airline of one nation to transport travelers between two other states — but only as long as the airline's home country is the starting or ending point.
Other airlines have these routes too. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines uses a Boeing 787 (like the one pictured) between Amsterdam and Santiago, Chile, via Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The same A380 flew both legs, so I got my first view of the jet in New York. As expected, the plane was giant and easily dwarfed the Etihad Airbus A350 parked at the adjacent gate.
For size comparison: Here is a Qatar A380 (right) next to a Qatar A350 (left) at the 2017 Paris Air Show.
Airbus
In an all-economy configuration, the A380 could carry up to 853 passengers, but no airlines ever ordered the option — though French carrier Air Austral briefly considered it in the 2010s.
In 2015, Airbus was toying with an 11-seat-per-row configuration, which would increase capacity by another 23-40 seats.
Instead, most A380 cabins are a mix of first, business, premium economy, and regular economy seats — with high-dollar cabins typically upstairs.
Singapore Airlines' A380 economy cabin.
Taylor Rains/Insider
For my trip, I was in premium economy to Germany and in regular economy to Singapore, so I boarded via the lower jetbridges for both.
Boarding Singapore's A380 from the lower forward jetbridge.
Taylor Rains/Insider
But, those sitting in business class can board through a raised jetbridge that spits passengers out on the second level. There is a staircase in the front galley for first class passengers.
Two jetbridges upon landing in Frankfurt. The left jetbridge was used to access the second level.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Meanwhile, there is sometimes a third jetbridge that boards passengers in the aft coach sections, as seen in airports like Frankfurt and Paris.
A view of a Singapore A380 being boarded via two lower jetbridges at Paris' CDG airport.
ERIC PIERMONT/AFP via Getty Images
2. First class passengers have their own private bathrooms on the second level.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Singapore is known for its luxurious cabin products, with the best of the best being its first class suite, which won the world's best from Skytrax in 2022.
Each of the six suites features a large recliner, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a bed, premium food, and a fully enclosed door, making the space feel more like a small hotel room.
Two suites can even be attached to create one giant room and double bed.
There are even two bathrooms that are exclusive to the suites — each huge with a vanity and plenty of space to move around.
Taylor Rains/Insider
While all other passengers are not allowed to even see inside the suites, I did get a look at the grand staircase leading to the upper level.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I think the product is extremely unique as there are only a handful of similar products flying, like Emirates A380 first class, which also features a bar and shower.
The first class cabin on an Emirates A380.
Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images.
3. The linens were the nicest I've ever gotten in economy on any airline.
Singapore's A380 premium economy with linens on the seats.
Taylor Rains/Insider
As someone who travels internationally at least once a month, I know to expect some sort of pillow and blanket combo in economy on mainline carriers.
The pillow and blanket offered on Delta's 767 from Sweden to New York.
Singapore had it too — but I was shocked at the quality. In premium economy, large, fluffy linens are the typical industry standard, but the same in coach is not as common.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Nevertheless, waiting for me at my economy seat was a thick pillow and soft blanket. The pillow even came with a proper cloth pillowcase, and the blanket was big and thick enough to keep my entire body warm.
Taylor Rains/Insider
This was a nice change from competing carriers like United Airlines and Air Canada, which on my previous flights provided linens, but the smaller pillows were limp with a plastic-like cover.
The pillows offering on United's 767.
Taylor Rains/Insider
4. The inflight entertainment system had an avionics view and sign language.
The flight path shown on the inflight entertainment screen in economy.
Taylor Rains/Insider
While Singapore's inflight TV screen was not much different from competitors, I did enjoy the avionics screen. I've seen this on other carriers like United, but it was still cool to see the altitude and speed of the jet enroute.
The premium economy screen showing the altitude, heading, and speed of Singapore's A380 enroute.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I also thought the addition of sign language in the corner of the screen during the pre-flight safety video was a great touch.
Singapore's pre-flight safety video with sign language in the bottom left corner.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Moreover, the systems in both premium and regular economy were easy to use…
We were given a remote in premium economy.
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and I loved how far the screen flipped up so I could still easily see the TV when the person in front of me fully reclined their seat.
A view of the TV fully adjusted up during a tour of the plane before the flight.
Taylor Rains/Insider
5. The economy tray table was one of the quirkiest I've ever seen.
Taylor Rains/Insider
When it comes to tray tables, I expect something sturdy and big enough for my laptop, but Singapore added an unexpected perk. Like many other airlines, the table had two configurations: fully flat…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…or folded in half. Both sides had a designated space for a cup, but one side had an unusual addition — a mirror.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The mirror was hidden behind a small sliding door and faced the ceiling. While I'm not positive how easy it would be to use, I'm sure it has come in handy.
Taylor Rains/Insider
6. The economy products are built for convenience.
Singapore Airlines premium economy.
Taylor Rains/Insider
For example, regular economy had a cup holder attached to the seatback, which kept drinks from spilling or taking up space on the tray table.
Taylor Rains/Insider
My neighbor also found it useful as a neck pillow holder during boarding.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I also loved that the headrests fully folded in to support my neck — it helped me sleep most of the 12-hour leg to Singapore.
Meanwhile, the airline did not skimp on charging options in premium economy. There were three ports total, including the USB port on the seatback screen…
The USB on the seatback screen in premium economy.
Taylor Rains/Insider
…as well as a second USB and a universal power outlet behind the armrest. I was able to charge my phone and my laptop inflight with a port to spare.
Taylor Rains/Insider
7. The bathrooms came with unique gadgets I rarely see on airliners.
The premium economy curtain, which separated the cabin from regular economy.
Taylor Rains/Insider
When I made my first trip to the restroom, I immediately noticed the decor was nicer than expected. Instead of white walls, Singapore had brown, wood-like finishings.
The lavatory in Singapore's A380, which sits between premium economy and coach.
Taylor Rains/Insider
There was also a full-body mirror, which was perfect for freshening up after 24 hours of travel…
The full-body mirror in Singapore's A380 lavatory.
Taylor Rains/Insider
…a sink that let me adjust the water temperature to everything from cold and hot to cool and lukewarm…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and a foot pedal to open the trash, meaning I didn't have to push the lid in and risk getting my hands dirty again.
Taylor Rains/Insier
8. The entire journey was smooth with few bumps along the way — literally.
View out the window after takeoff from New York.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Throughout both legs, I regularly forgot I was on an airplane. The takeoffs were painless and the landings felt like butter, which I commend the pilots for.
Taxiing to takeoff from Frankfurt.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Though, I also noticed the lack of turbulence on both legs, which was about 20 hours of flight time in total.
Taylor Rains/Insider
According to a Travel + Leisure interview with pilot Captain John Cox, the sheer size and weight of a jumbo jet minimize the impact of turbulence compared to smaller commercial airliners.
Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10.
Meanwhile, he says the plane's extra wheels can make landings "a little more stable," and attributes the smoother takeoffs to the height of large jetliners.
Emirates A380 at the Dubai Air Show.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
"Passengers are further away from the ground, because large airplanes sit higher, making the visual sensation less intense," he explained.
The A380 (front) compared to the A350 (middle) and Boeing 787 (back).
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