How do I get on an A380?

May 20, 2006 2:27 PM

Say I wanted to be on the first commercial flight of an Airbus A380. Would it be possible and how would I go about arranging it?

I suspect the first flight would be full of airline execs and VIPs, but I don't know. How about the second? Third?

posted by ciaron to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

Singapore Airlines have a minisite about the A380. It's currently content-free, but hopefully that'll change when they announce the dates for the first flights.
posted by cillit bang at 3:34 PM on May 20, 2006

Why not contact Airbus directly and ask? The A380 has been sold to several airlines but not delivered yet. Airbus could tell you who was getting the first delivery but more importantly, they'd probably have a good idea which airline will put it in service first.
posted by jaimystery at 3:36 PM on May 20, 2006

(If I wan't clear, Singapore Airlines are almost certainly getting it first)
posted by cillit bang at 3:59 PM on May 20, 2006

From cillit bang's SQ link:

Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier in the world to fly the Airbus A380 in 2006. The A380 will first fly on the Kangaroo route, between London, Singapore and Sydney. The Airline has ten A380s on firm order and another 15 on option.

If they're economical, first flight would be London - Singapore. If they're publicity hounds, they'll ferry to SIN first and make the inaugural flight from their eponymous home.
posted by nathan_teske at 4:59 PM on May 20, 2006

Oh never mind - the gallery page indicates their first A380 is already in Singapore.
posted by nathan_teske at 5:00 PM on May 20, 2006

The first A380 to be delivered is still in France. Airbus flew one of the test aircraft to Singapore in Singapore's livery for one of the airshows.

As you mention, probably the first flight is going to be mainly VIPs. The second flight is much more likely, although, you will probably have to pay top dollar for it. Definitely flying 1,000,000+ miles on SIA will help.

By this point, the schedule is probably fairly firm for delivery and certification (if it's not, Airbus is in a world of hurt), so SIA will be announcing the flight schedules shortly.

Let us know. It seems like a miserable airplane to fly on, unless you're in first class. But I have a bias here.
posted by printdevil at 9:07 PM on May 21, 2006

yes, you most likely will be able to buy a ticket on their inaugural flight. ask over in the forums on airliners.net - there are lots of airline employees active who will most likely be able to help you in finding out the exact date and time once it's being set.

besides, the first time a flight operates they greet the aircraft with water salutes upon arrival. way cool.
posted by krautland at 10:41 PM on August 28, 2006

Oh never mind - the gallery page indicates their first A380 is already in Singapore.

no, it is not. airbus sent an a380 prototype to a bunch of airports around the world to let early customers practice servicing the aircraft and present it to the public. they put logos on it for the local airlines. when the test aircraft arrived in australia, it had quantas stickers, in singapore is had singapore airlines, in dubai it had emirates on it, etc ...

here is a massive collection of photos.
posted by krautland at 10:47 PM on August 28, 2006