It was the sort of invitation most people would avoid at all costs: ‘Please come and spend two hours flying on a plane that seats 550 – and end up where you started.’ But I could barely contain my glee! Of course I accepted. It was a ticket to ride on the Airbus A380 – nicknamed the Superjumbo– over the Pyrénées. I have covered the plane since its conception, but this would be my first chance to experience what flying on board the behemoth was actually like. I was not alone – 200 other international journalists were equally eager for the experience.
First, let me state the obvious. With its twin decks, this plane is big. Very big. In fact, it is enormous. The main deck seats around 350 people, like a Boeing 747. However, upstairs there is room for another 200. That is effectively an A340 on top of a 747! The aircraft is equipped with first class, business class and economy seating. I sit behind the wing in economy. It is a good choice. We lift off – very quietly for a plane of this size – and catch the crosswind.The wings’ ailerons waggle up and down in a demented state as the computers fight to keep the plane stable. It feels like a giant ocean liner on the waves. But then the take-off excitement is over all too quickly and we settle into an amazingly smooth cruise flight. The landing is similar –from the plane’s camera we can see ourselves crabbing towards the airport at Toulouse. Again, we ride the airwaves until we touch down.
So what makes the A380 so special? Is it the two grand staircases? The 15 lavatories? The elevator that can move carts between the decks? Or the fact that it can carry 550tons (considerably more than the 747)? It is all of these things and none of them. It is the fact that a new era of air travel is upon us and no one really knows where it will lead. At the moment the A380 is a flying white whale. With only 166 sold, it is a long way from making Airbus any money.
But Airbus’ chief salesperson says the plane is a‘game-changing aircraft.’ Airbus forecasts the market for very large planes at around 1,600 over the next 20 years and this plane should get at least 800 orders. Since airports are more congested and air travel is growing, demand for more seats between major hubs such as London and Hong Kong, or Singapore and Sydney will grow. That is where the A380comes in. (For the record, Boeing believes the Airbus numbers are all wrong, that the demand will not materialize, the plane will lose money and airlines will opt instead for their revamped 747-8 Intercontinental with a comparatively modest 470 seats.)
If airlines live up to their promises to put bars and lounges on board, the A380 could well become the standard for luxury in the sky. It could change the way people want to fly. Once the aircraft is in service on major oceanic routes, frequent fliers will want to be on board. On the other hand, with so many people on one flight, such irritations as luggage delays and congestion could cause some problems.
So will the A380 be a success? I know the arguments, and I still cannot make up my mind. We do not know yet. Perhaps history is our only guide; 30 years ago, people said exactly the same things about another plane. It was too big. There were too many passengers. To step on board was to tempt fate. That plane was the 747, which went on to sell more than 1,300 for Boeing and became the standard for long-haul flight. Of the A380 experience, I can say, however, that the flight was simply wonderful. To walk up and down the twin staircases, to visit the cockpit, to discover how quiet this plane could be – it was a joy for an aviation geek like me.
Because of Airbus’ appalling delays, this first flight was rescheduled many times. But I did not mind. I have now flown on the biggest passenger plane in the world. Unfortunately,I know it will be a long time before the rest of you get to share the experience. But I have seen the future, and it is big.
Richard Quest anchors CNN’s European morning editions of ‘Business International’, his own monthly interview show, ‘Quest’, and the monthly feature program ‘CNN Business Traveller’.
