There are a huge number of different airliners in the world, but the Airbus A380-800 is the aircraft that is really worth paying attention to. There are not very many similar airliners on the planet. The fact is that this is the largest passenger wide-body aircraft, equipped with two decks. Let's consider what technical characteristics the A380 has, as well as the layout of the A380 aircraft cabin.
Airbus A380-800
The second lower deck of the liner
Airbus A380 interior diagram
399 passengers on the lower deck of economy class enjoy the services of a separate screen, charging for gadgets, a USB port, and video games. If you pay extra, you can connect to the Internet and enjoy communicating on social networks, reading and music. The distance between the seats is slightly more than 80 cm, which is comfortable enough for long flights.
A380-800 lower deck
Important! Rows 43-88 of seats, according to the layout of the lower deck cabin of the Emirates Airbus 380 800, have some nuances that need to be taken into account when choosing a seat for one or several travelers, based on the specific wishes of the air passenger. .
Unlike the first deck, there are rows and individual seats, with an increased or decreased level of comfort - seats with greater legroom in front and those in which it is impossible to fully recline back. Also, for some passengers it is important when they are not disturbed by the noise of those gathered near the toilet room and the smells of the kitchen.
“Good” and “Uncomfortable” Places
The best seats on the Emirates Airbus A380 800, with a convenient location but close to the restrooms and galley, are indicated in green and half yellow.
A380-800 economy class
Comfortable and inconvenient places on the lower deck:
- Row 43 - it could be considered comfortable, since there is a large distance in front of the seat. But next to it there will be a staircase leading to the upper floor, where flight attendants are constantly walking, the light may be on throughout the flight and the clasp on the door of the passage to the top will click.
- Row 45, specifically seats D, E, F, G, have good space in front of the seats, but are also located next to the stairs to the top.
- The 50th row of seats A, B, C, H, J, K, the 51st row of seats D, E, F, G, are not convenient because the backrests can recline to a limited extent or be completely stationary due to the close proximity of emergency exits and the galley.
- 54 row seat A, 55 row seat A, are not comfortable due to the technical equipment located under the seats in front.
- Row 54 with seats D, E, F, G can be considered good if the smells of food from the proximity of the galley do not interfere with enjoying the flight, fully stretched out. Rather, these seats in the middle of the Airbus a380 800 Emirates cabin are the best seats on the plane; they offer an excellent view through the windows, unlike other equally comfortable seats.
- Rows 65, 66, 78 and 79 - uncomfortable seats close to emergency exits and toilet rooms with the inability to recline the backrest completely.
- Row 68, seats A and K, row 81, seats A and K - good seats for tall passengers; the absence of a seat in front allows you to spend the entire flight in peace.
- Row 67, seats B, C, H, J, row 80, seats B, C, H, J - good seats for travelers who want to fly as a couple, without prying eyes and ears, there are no seats in front, but there is a kitchen and toilet.
- Row 82, seats D, E, F, G, can be called the best seats on the lower deck of the airbus a380 800 emirates - there is a free distance in front of the kitchen wall, not the toilet, which means only flight attendants will walk past.
- Row 87, namely seats C and H, can be considered inconvenient only because of its proximity to the toilets, where a queue gathers and people can accidentally push more than once.
- Row 88, for several reasons, can be classified as the most uncomfortable row of seats in the entire airliner: the seat backs do not recline, the entrance to the toilets is close, and there is a staircase to the upper deck nearby.
Even if the place turns out to be not in the “good” category, the inconvenience will be smoothed out by the opportunity to spend several hours of air travel in one of the most legendary comfortable airliners in the world. Looking at the photo of the interior of the Emirates Airbus, you can imagine how the travel time flies by.
First class individual cabins
First class on board the A380 includes: Air France (9 seats), British Airways, Emirates and Qantas (14 seats), China Southern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (8), Korean Air and Singapore Airlines (12).
Each first class seat is a small luxury cabin, which has everything you need for a comfortable flight: a wide, fully reclining seat, a pull-out table, a guest chair, a spacious luggage compartment, a mirror, and an entertainment screen. On the outside of the cabin there is a closet for personal belongings.
Some cabins are equipped with a double bed for two passengers.
The cabins are decorated with natural polished wood, leather, velor or high-quality plastic.
On night flights, passengers are provided with: pajamas, blankets and hygiene products. In addition, cosmetic sets are offered as gifts: several types of skin care products and eau de toilette from famous brands.
In first class, you can choose from several different gourmet menu options, from vibrant ethnic cuisines to healthy options. They can be ordered directly to your cabin or to the Lounge area. Cocktails, champagne and limited edition fine wines are offered throughout the flight.
On the A380, first class passengers have a Lounge seating area, where there is a bar, tables and sofas for a pleasant rest in company. The bar offers a large selection of drinks, desserts and snacks.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The estimated price of this aircraft is $350 million. The exact cost depends on the configuration and wishes of the customer. The owner of the most expensive aircraft in Russia was billionaire Roman Abramovich.
According to two Forbes sources, the aircraft was delivered from Switzerland to Moscow on December 18. After this, the plane flew to Sint Maarten. The plane can carry up to 50 passengers, 20 seats are provided for security and personnel. The salon area exceeds 224 square meters. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner can cover 18,418 kilometers.
“The Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 models are very VIP, they are truly huge cars with fantastic interiors. Boeing and Airbus produce no more than two or three such business jets per year,” noted BizavNews project manager Dmitry Petrochenko.
The oligarch paid more than $100 million for additional equipment and finishing of the aircraft.
Basic parameters of the Airbus A380
The main characteristics of the airliner include the following: double-deck cabin, wide fuselage, four engines. In order to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft, aluminum alloys, carbon fiber and hybrid materials were used. In terms of fuel consumption, the Airbus A380 is also in first place: per passenger, it consumes 17% less compared to other aircraft of its class. Thus, the A380-800 comes out on top in terms of environmental friendliness due to the reduced amount of emissions into the atmosphere.
Russian designers also took part in the development of the A380 aircraft at the engineering department in Moscow.
With its length of 73 m, the Airbus A380 has a wingspan of 80 m. The number of landing gear is 20 pieces. Its length is equal to the length of 8 buses lined up in a row, and its wings can accommodate about 70 cars!
Cruise speed of the liner: 855 km/h. It can fly a maximum of 15,200 km without refueling. Its fuel tanks hold 310,000 liters of aviation fuel. To transport this amount of fuel, 21 tank trucks are required.
Compared to other aircraft in its class, the A380 has lower noise levels thanks to new generation engines.
Advantages and disadvantages of the A380-800
As we have already found out, this aircraft is very spacious and large-scale. It’s not surprising, because this is the largest aircraft in the world. It was specially created so that it could carry a large number of passengers. We can safely say that the Airbus A380 has brought back the romance and excitement of flying to seasoned travelers. Anyone who has flown on this air transport will confirm that it has its own characteristics and flies to the most favorite places of tourists, namely London, Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Moscow, Dubai, Tokyo, Beijing, etc. It is thanks to this geography that passengers give preference to this aircraft, regularly flying on it. During the holiday season, flights on this Airbus are especially frequent.
Speaking about the advantages of the A380, it is necessary to note its spaciousness and spaciousness. It also takes off easily and lands just as easily. When flying over mountains or the sea, the vibrations are practically unnoticeable. Moreover, the salons are equipped with wide and comfortable seats. This is especially noticeable in those places where there are armrests, a reclining backrest and legroom. In addition, passengers note that the cabins are always very clean and comfortable. All maneuvers in the air are easy and pleasant.
Also, many travelers note that the lunches and breakfasts on board are very tasty, and the flight attendants are always friendly and polite. It must be said that not every aircraft has such good conditions for passengers. Many passengers call the A380 an aircraft whose conditions are comparable to the best brands of cars.
To summarize, it must be said that the Airbus A380-800 is a powerful flying machine in which everything is thought out to the smallest detail so that passengers can fly in comfort. Those who want to fly in comfort choose business class. There you can not only sleep, but also surf the Internet, reading e-books, listening to music and watching videos. It is very important to choose seats in time so that you can relax on the plane.
You can purchase air tickets both at the ticket office and through the official website of the airline that serves the flight. After reviewing the above information, you can decide in advance which place is better and make a purchase. In general, we have become familiar with the technical characteristics of the A380, and photos of the A380 aircraft will allow us to visually evaluate the capabilities of this aircraft. Today, many people prefer to fly on it, since compared to other airliners it is one of the most convenient and comfortable. That is why, if you want to get to your desired resort destination in comfort, then choose the A380, because it was specially created for large passenger transportation.
Interior layouts and seat locations
Images of the pass diagram.
seats Airbus A380 861 The double-decker Airbus has two decks, upper and lower, which are connected by two staircases at the tail and bow of the aircraft. The decks accommodate first, business and economy classes.
First grade
As with all passenger airliners, first class is located towards the front of the aircraft. All seats in this class are the most expensive and comfortable. But each class has both advantages and slight disadvantages. 1 and 4 rads are located near the toilet, which can cause discomfort.
Business Class
Business class is located in the center of the plane and has comfortable seats with plenty of free space. The seats can be easily folded down into a bed, which is very convenient during a long flight. The most uncomfortable places here are the seats in rows 6 and 26, which are located close to the toilet. Also, the 21st rad is located next to the bar, which can cause discomfort.
Economy class
Economy class is located on the lower deck of a passenger liner and can accommodate up to 400 seats. The main disadvantage is that the seats do not recline, so you will have to spend the entire flight in a sitting position. The most uncomfortable seats in this class are row 88, which is located next to the toilet.
Economy class
The best places
The best seats aren't just in first and business class. In economy class, you can feel good in rows 45, 54 and 82. Rows 68 and 81 are also comfortable; the main advantage of these seats is their close location to the windows. Rows 43, 52, 67, 68 and 80 can be considered comfortable, as they have a lot of legroom. The worst seats are in row 88, which are located near the wall and the toilet.
Aircraft design
According to the aerodynamic design, the A380 is a wide-body turbofan low-wing aircraft with a swept wing and single-fin tail. The plane has four engines.
Cabin
The passenger cabin is very wide, which made it possible to arrange up to 11 seats in one row in economy class and provided variability in the distribution of seats in first and business classes. The total cabin area is 50% larger than that of the competitor Boeing 747.
The maximum number of passengers is 853 people, but the most commonly used layout is three classes, where 525 seats are installed. On board there is a shower for first class, bar counters, lounges and even Duty free. The package depends on the airline. Many also provide paid Internet and telephone services.
Fuselage and cockpit
The A380's fuselage is divided into two decks, connected by two staircases. The width of the latter allows passengers to move in both directions without experiencing discomfort or cramping. The fuselage base is made of carbon fiber composites. The rear section has stabilizers, and inside there is a service compartment with a gas turbine unit and a generator.
In the bow there is a glass cockpit designed for two people. The instrument panel has special monitors with all the necessary information about the flight. There is no classic steering wheel, and instead joysticks are used on the side of the seats. They are connected to electric drive control rudders. There is also a folding table with a keyboard in front of the pilots, and additional controls are located between the seats.
Engines
There are two main modifications of the airliner, differing in the type of installed engines. In the first case, four Rolls-Royce Trent 970 engines are used, in the second - the same number, but Alliance GP7270. Both models comply with international standards and do not exceed permissible noise levels. The technical characteristics are very similar and do not have serious differences that give a noticeable advantage to any of them.
Rolls-Royce Trent 970
Two of the four engines are equipped with a thrust reverser, designed to reduce the length of the landing run. They run on aviation kerosene, which is located in 13 caisson tanks inside the wing and horizontal tail. 41 pumps are responsible for pumping fuel, which ensure alignment and minimize drag by moving liquid between fuel tanks.
Chassis
The A380 has five landing gear. For their release and cleaning, a mixed drive is used, which includes elements of hydraulics and electric actuators. When retracted, the chassis is closed with special doors made of composites, which reduces the risk of breakage. The use of four independent control systems also has a positive effect on safety.
The history of the A380 aircraft
At the end of the last century, the aviation industry was at the peak of civil aircraft development. For 30 years, the Boeing 747 had a great advantage over other companies.
The aircraft had a large capacity and excellent flight characteristics, which encouraged other companies to develop more improved models that could compete with Boeing.
Passenger aircraft A380
Boeing 747
In 1994, Airbus began developing a new model of a large passenger airliner that would compete with the Boeing 747.
See also the article Airbus A319 and its technical characteristics
The company's engineers developed many variants of the aircraft, after which the project was given the name A3XX. Boeing engineers also took part in the development, and at the same time they were developing a new and improved version of the existing Boeing 747 airliner.
The joint work was completed in 1996, after which, due to the crisis, the Boeing company was forced to close the project.
At that time, the company developed a project for the A340 passenger airliner, which did not have high flight characteristics, but had good capacity. But these indicators did not reach the characteristics of competitors. One of the problems of the model was the heavy weight of the liner.
In 1996, engineers adopted the option of using a double-deck aircraft design, which had many advantages. Only in 2000, after the project was financed, the new model received the name A380 - the largest airbus in the world, its parameters are simply grandiose.
A380 structure diagram
The design of the new Airbus A380 airliner was approved only in 2001, after which mass production of parts and components began, which was carried out in four countries. After which everything was delivered to Toulouse, where work on assembling the passenger liner took place.
Airbus A380 861 in operation by Emirates Airline
The first A380 aircraft was built in 2005, after which it was demonstrated in Toulouse. The Airbus made its first flight in the same year; during the tests, all the shortcomings were identified, which were reworked and corrected.
At the end of 2007, the Airbus A380 aircraft was certified, after which the model was put into mass production.
See also article
Cost of different models
The price of the A380 depends on the specific modification and can vary significantly, which is also due to the unstable economic situation in the world. The standard price in 2022 was set at $489 million. The cost of aircraft is gradually increasing, which is partly the reason for the low popularity of the airliner.
If the manufacturer introduces new modifications for official sale, the price for them will be even higher. A total of 219 A380s are in use, of which 109 units are in service with Emirates Airlines, which operates air services in the UAE. Also, 317 aircraft are under construction or awaiting their turn, after which they will be handed over to customers and begin flying.
Aircraft purchased for private use may cost significantly more. It all depends on the internal arrangement and special technical means. With serious modifications, the price can rise to $500,000,000 or even more.
The A380 is the world's largest passenger airliner, boasting low cabin noise levels and outstanding fuel efficiency. When flying on it, passengers experience increased comfort even if they are in economy class. Perhaps in the future new modifications will be released that will be even better than the basic one and will be able to attract buyers.
Characteristics of the world's largest Airbus A380-800
Technical characteristics of the A380 are shown in the table:
Size
Total length | 72.7 m. |
Height | 24.1 m. |
Wingspan | 79.8 m. |
Total wing area | 845 m. |
Weight
Empty weight | 276,800 kg. |
Weight without fuel | 361,000 kg. |
Commercial load | 83,000 kg. |
Fuel tanks | 310,000 l. |
Takeoff weight | 560,000 kg. |
Landing weight | 386,000 kg. |
Passenger cabin
Basic capacity A380 (economy) | 853 places |
Number of seats economy business first class | 525 |
Cabin width | 5.92 – 6.58 m. |
Flight data
Takeoff run length | 2,050 m. |
Run length | 2,900 m. |
Flight range with maximum load | 15,000 km. |
Maximum flight altitude with load | 13,100 m. |
Power plants | Alliance GP7270, 4 x 31780 kgf or Trent 970, 4 x 31780 kgf |
The passenger capacity of the A380 depends on the airline that operates the aircraft. Characteristics of the Airbus A380 are designed for 525 seats divided into 3 classes or 853 seats in economy class.
Airbus A380 modifications
The A380 was released in several versions, each of which has its own characteristics. The basic ones are considered to be A380-800, 842, 861 and 862. They differ in the installed engines, which affects fuel consumption and some flight characteristics.
The models are notable for the efficiency of regulating the air temperature in the cabin, which was made possible thanks to the presence of 16 temperature zones. The manufacturer also presented other versions of the aircraft with more differences.
Modifications:
- A380-800F - a cargo version of the A380, designed to transport cargo weighing up to 150 tons over a distance of up to 10,370 km, production was suspended due to too low sales of the base model;
- A380-900 - a project of an improved version of the A380, characterized by a length increased by 7 m, an increased take-off weight of up to 590 tons and a flight distance of up to 14,200 km, the passenger capacity should be 963 or 656 people, depending on the modification by the number of seat classes;
- A380-1000 - the latest project presented, which involves increasing the length of the aircraft to 87 m and increasing the number of passenger seats to 757 or 1073 units, expected to enter service before 2025;
- A380plus - an improved modification of the basic A380, characterized by an increased number of seats for passengers up to 933 units in a single-class version and reduced fuel consumption, was canceled due to a lack of demand for the standard model.
In some cases, basic versions purchased for private use have their own characteristics regarding internal structure or technical capabilities. Serial production for them is not launched.
Worst places
It is better to avoid places where the backrest does not recline. Sitting in one position for several hours can be very tiring. In addition, seats near the toilets also do not contribute to a calm and comfortable flight:
- 73 DEFG
- 74 ABCHJK
- 87, 94 – completely
When choosing seats on an Airbus A380, check out the cabin layout of the airline you are traveling with. Please check at check-in to make sure your seat reclines and is not located near toilets. Seats in the nose or tail are almost the same; the Airbus A380 has low noise levels and practically no turbulence is felt.
Choose comfort, and have a happy flight on the A380-800!
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Parameters of seats in the cabin
If we go deeper into the numbers, there are 12 seats in first class, 66 in business class, and 399 seats in economy class. The seat spacing in first class is 83 inches, in business class it is 74.5 inches, and in economy class it is 32 inches. Other data:
- First grade. The monitor has HD extension.
- Business Class. Monitor 15.6 inches.
- Economy class. 11 inch monitor.
So, we examined in detail the layout of the A380 aircraft cabin. Obviously, this is a very spacious and comfortable aircraft on which you can quickly and comfortably fly to your destination. Now let’s figure out what people who have already flown on this plane think about the conditions in the Airbus cabin.
Airbus A380-800 interior
Business Class
The number of business class seats varies from 50 to 97 in different airlines. As a rule, business class seats are located on the upper deck separately from economy class passengers. There is even a separate telescopic ladder for them.
Some airlines provide passengers with a gift of transportation with a personal driver from the airport to their destination.
Also, business class passengers have access to the lounge on the upper deck, where drinks and snacks are served free of charge.
Business class seats fold out into a horizontal bed two meters long. For relaxation, each chair has pillows, blankets, and sleep masks. Each seat has a power outlet and a USB port. Wi-Fi is provided throughout the flight. There is also a screen with a large selection of films, games and entertainment programs. Some airlines offer a personal minibar with drinks and champagne.
The business class menu is served on china. Experienced sommeliers will advise you to choose suitable wines. The business class menu is updated every month.
Cockpit and crew
The cockpit of the Airbus A380 model (photo can be seen below) is practically no different from other aircraft of this manufacturer. This was done in order to reduce the cost of training crew members. To display all the necessary information, nine liquid crystal displays are installed inside. All of them are interchangeable and have a size of 20x15 centimeters. In this case, two screens are used as indicators of navigation data, two show basic flight data, two display the operating characteristics of power plants. In addition to them, one monitor serves to display the status of the entire system, and two more are multifunctional. The crew consists of 27 people, including two pilots and flight attendants in all classes. If the flight duration exceeds fourteen hours, two more pilots are added.
Aircraft history in numbers
- January 2005 – The A380 is presented to the general public in Toulouse (France).
- First test flight: April 2005
- First test flight across the Atlantic Ocean with passengers on board: March 2007. The first passengers were Airbus employees and journalists.
- First commercial flight: October 2007 with Singapore Airlines.
- First commercial transatlantic flight: November 2009, flight Paris - New York.
- June 2022 – a new modification of the A380 plus was introduced. Thanks to improved wing aerodynamics, fuel consumption was reduced by another 4%. The new plane can accommodate more passenger seats. Their maximum number increased to 933.
As of July 2022, the Airbus A380 is used by 16 airlines. A total of 214 aircraft are in operation. The largest number (95 pieces) belongs to aviation.
In Russia, as of 2022, the following airports can receive the A380: Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Pulkovo and Tolmachevo.
Where is it produced?
Fuselage cross-section
The aircraft is manufactured by the European company Airbus SAS, based in Toulouse (France). It also has several offices in Germany, Spain, France and the UK and two factories in Blagnac (a suburb of Toulouse) and Hannover (Germany). The company's activities began in 1969 after the merger of several small European aircraft manufacturing companies. Here, not only passenger aircraft are being developed, but also cargo aircraft, as well as vehicles adapted for military needs.
Economy class
Economy class on Airbus A380-800 aircraft is usually located entirely on the lower deck.
The interior space on the plane is very comfortable, both between the rows and in the corridors.
Immediately after takeoff, passengers are offered aperitifs and cold snacks. The menu is quite varied. It includes: appetizers, salads, first and second courses, butter, cheese, bread, dessert and various drinks.
On overnight flights, an amenity kit is offered: a small pillow, a blanket, a sleep mask, soft warm socks and a toothbrush.
During the entire trip, passengers can use the Internet. Screens built into the back of each seat allow you to spend your flight watching movies, your favorite programs or playing computer games.
Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and Qantas offer premium economy on the A380. In this class, the seat pitch is greater, the seats are wider, and there is a retractable footrest. Between the seats there is a console that has sockets for charging electronic devices.
At the airport, passengers in this class can gain access to Lounges for a small surcharge.
First grade
First class has only 14 seats on the plane; they are located in 4 rows. These places are distinguished by their high comfort. Each first class passenger is provided with a private room with a door, where there is everything necessary for a good flight. Namely, there is a chair with the ability to tilt the back 180 degrees, a large-screen TV, the ability to access the Internet, and there are also sockets and a minibar installed there.
First class passengers are provided with a bar counter, a well-designed menu from the chef, showers and a large number of staff who monitor their comfort during the flight. The work of airline staff can be compared with services in five-star hotels.
Spa showers on board the A380
Emirates and Singapore Airlines have installed showers for first class passengers. Each cabin has:
- shower, changing room and toilet;
- hairdryer, full-length wall mirror;
- heated floors, leather seats, exotic plants to maintain a relaxing atmosphere;
- cosmetic sets: shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, liquid soap, scrub and eau de toilette.
Each shower has a 15.4" LCD monitor that shows images of air shows or an external television camera.