flee 5 Report post Posted March 1, 2012 British Airways (IAG) plans to deploy its first Airbus SAS (EAD) A380 superjumbos on flights to New York and three Asian metropolises while using Boeing Co. (BA)’s smaller 787 Dreamliner to develop new destinations in emerging markets. BA will take delivery of 12 525-seat A380s starting next year and is looking at using the double-deckers on high-density routes from London’s Heathrow airport to Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore, as well as on its busiest trans-Atlantic service. “We’ll use bigger aircraft for routes with enough traffic density and restriction on slots,” Enrique Dupuy, chief financial officer at BA parent International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, said in an interview in London. “You can’t increase your frequencies so you bring more and bigger planes.” British Airways will generally use its A380s on “very well- known routes,” Dupuy told Bloomberg Television. The London-based company will be the third European carrier to employ the world’s biggest passenger plane, after Air France and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA), which have contracts for 12 and 17 of the jets respectively. Deployment of the 24 Dreamliners that BA has on order will seek to exploit the carbon-fiber plane’s reduced unit costs, which make it suited to lower-density routes and adding fresh locations, Dupuy said in the interview yesterday. “The 787 will be about opening new destinations in the east, in Asia specifically,” the executive said. “It’s an under- served market for IAG and we are going to work intensively in recovering our position.” IAG (IAG), created last January via a merger of BA and Spain’s Iberia, currently allocates only about 9 percent of capacity to the Asia-Pacific, versus 31 percent to North America, according to a presentation made to investors in November. The company doubled operating profit in 2011, spurred by demand for business travel to the U.S., it said yesterday. BA currently operates 11 times a day between London and New York. Madrid-based Iberia has no A380s or 787s on order. Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-01/british-airways-to-target-new-york-asia-with-a380-superjumbos.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J. Suri 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) I wish BA could re-instate the LHR-KUL route with that smashing 787! Edited March 1, 2012 by jerryjane Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josh T 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2012 (edited) There are going to be so many A380s at LHR next year! SQ, EK, QF, MH, BA... Do we know when VS will be receiving theirs? Obviously, we won't be seeing LH or AF there. Maybe KE? Edited March 1, 2012 by Josh T Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kee Hooi Yen 0 Report post Posted March 1, 2012 There are going to be so many A380s at LHR next year! SQ, EK, QF, MH, BA... Do we know when VS will be receiving theirs? Obviously, we won't be seeing LH or AF there. Maybe KE? TG ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josh T 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2012 TG ? I forgot about TG! Can you imagine? it would be so cool to see so many A380s in one place!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted March 2, 2012 This guy might also make an appearance at some point in time: Photo All rights reserved by A380_TLS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Josh T 0 Report post Posted March 2, 2012 Isn't CZ just planning to take the big bird to CDG? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pieter C. 5 Report post Posted March 4, 2012 Rumours are AMS as well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JuliusWong 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 A380 was originally created to ease congestion in busy airports like LHR, JFK, to lesser extend SIN. We may get to see quite a number of A380s at our neighbour soon. LHR will definitely see most A380s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Z 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 But so far in LHR, with SQ and EK flying A380s, we haven't seen any reduction in flight frequency from either one of them. (I don't believe we will as LHR slots are really valuable). Only ZRH sees reduction from 2x777 to 1x A380 daily from SQ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 LHR will definitely see most A380s. As in number of different tails, yes But in number of airframes, I think DXB will see more probably Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 A380 was originally created to ease congestion in busy airports like LHR, JFK, to lesser extend SIN. We may get to see quite a number of A380s at our neighbour soon. LHR will definitely see most A380s. I supposed it's not necessary. Some people may prefer more frequencies and therefore more flexibility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 I supposed it's not necessary. Some people may prefer more frequencies and therefore more flexibility. I think you may have missed Julius' point. When the airline is serving an airport that has no more slots, it is not possible to increase frequency. The only way they can offer more seats is to increase the size of the aircraft. LHR is one such airport - that was why BA bought BMI. They are after their LHR slots more than the business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Z 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 CX operates 21 weekly to JFK. They could just opt for A380 and doing 14 weekly, but they know they will lose some pax if they do. So frequency can be important in some routes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Isaac 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 CX operates 21 weekly to JFK. They could just opt for A380 and doing 14 weekly, but they know they will lose some pax if they do. So frequency can be important in some routes. CX currently operates 28 weekly flights to JFK, with 7 of the 28 weekly flights going via YVR. And there is a rumor that they will be introducing a 5th daily flight sometime this year but it will land in EWR instead of JFK. I understand that CX is not so interested in the 388 because it can't carry many cargo and somehow it doesn't fit well into CX business model, or so i read. It is just how CX thinks the 788 and 789 are too small for their regional routes. Anyway, the demand between HKG and New York area is big. I won't be surprised if CX maintains the current frequency if they ever buy the 388 and deploy them on the HKG/New York sector. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Z 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 That's really amazing for a long haul. I don't think there's any long haul flight with that frequency operated by a single carrier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike P 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 I think you may have missed Julius' point. When the airline is serving an airport that has no more slots, it is not possible to increase frequency. The only way they can offer more seats is to increase the size of the aircraft. LHR is one such airport - that was why BA bought BMI. They are after their LHR slots more than the business. In that case, the airport policy may not be able to fit in to one route's market trend then. If such route is able to accommodate big number of passengers at one time, it would be fine. If it's frequency that's more important, that would be too bad. I think like long haul to LHR would be better served with A380 while short or middle haul might require higher frequency to support the demand and business. But again if the airport policy has posed the restriction, it would be too bad. Take your turns! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC Tam 2 Report post Posted March 5, 2012 In that case, the airport policy may not be able to fit in to one route's market trend then With the level of congestion at LHR as it is, I guess it's more a matter of airlines (and by inference passengers) having to make do and adjust to what slots are available, rather than the airport authorities accomodating to 'market trend' It's quite obvious when 'scheduled time of arrival' at LHR is now but a myth (particularly in busy crack of dawn period) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtemujin 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2012 British Airways has completed the latest trials of a multi-million pound redevelopment of its Heathrow engineering base by using an A380 superjumbo flown in by Airbus to put the hangar through its paces. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOEXb4wfyLw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alberttky 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 British Airways is lining up its first A380 service to Hong Kong next winter. Speaking on the sidelines of an event at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai last night, to mark the carrier's 80th anniversary flying to the Middle East, Chairman Sir Martin Broughton said: "It's not confirmed but my guess is it would be Hong Kong, although Madrid will probably be the test flight." He said contrary to some reports, the carrier's superjumbo plans seem to be veering more east than west. "People keep saying New York, but remember we have the schedules there, so the bigger the aircraft, you reduce the schedule." BA is due to receive its first A380 in July 2013 with further deliveries scheduled in September and November of next year (click here). Airbus has fitted the four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines onto BA’s first A380 superjumbo, ahead of its delivery scheduled for July next year (click here). At the public address in Dubai, Sir Martin said it is right at the "end of the process" of the bmi integration. "We will operate 15% more flights in this year's schedule, and they include five destinations in central Asia which we intend to do with flatbeds in Club." In a dramatic week in the Gulf, which has seen Etihad team up with Air France-KLM and Qatar Airways join Oneworld, Sir Martin said to survive in the airline industry partnerships are "critical", and parent company IAG is constantly looking at how it can become "bigger and stronger as a business". "We are almost at the end of the end of the roll-out of the first cabin and the B777 refurbishment programme will complete by the first couple of months early next year," he said. Responding specifically to Qatar Airways joining Oneworld, he said: "I think it's a fantastic move forward. It's the first time a major airline based in the Gulf is signing on to join one of the major global alliances. It will further strengthen our links with the region and allow more customers to connect with ease on our network." Paulo de Renezis, Area Commercial manager for British Airways, added it will operate 68 weekly flights between London Heathrow Terminal 5 and the Middle East this winter. "The outlook for the first quarter is pretty positive," he said. The highlight of the informal evening saw cabin crew dressed in the airline's uniforms, over the respective eight decades, walk over the bridge at the Madinat Jumeirah fort and take to the stage. Earlier in the day, speaking at the press conference, Sir Martin said it "did not submit a bid" during the TAP privatisation process, and despite the Indian government relaxing its FDI rules, he said the airline was not interested in investing in the country's airline industry. Special fares are available until October 31 for Middle Eastern travellers to coincide with the anniversary, covering first, Club World, World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) and valid for travel before March 31. Fares from the UAE to London start from AED2,770 in World Traveller. http://www.businesstraveller.com/middle-east/news/hong-kong-earmarked-for-first-ba-a380 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Waiping 12 Report post Posted October 11, 2012 Must be tough decision for BA since EVERYONE ELSE wanted to fly their A380 to LHR, but BA can't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mohd Azizul Ramli 2 Report post Posted March 5, 2013 BA has opened the booking for A380 flights bound for LAX and HKG. http://www.britishairways.com/en/information/flight-information/airbus-a380?DM1_Mkt=Global&DM1_Channel=Social&DM1_Campaign=UKQ1MarchA380OFS&DM1_Site=Facebook&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=UKQ1MarchA380OFS Flights to Los Angeles by the A380 are available to book now for travel from 15 October 2013. These include five services a week from London Heathrow. Selected services to Hong Kong will also be operated by an A380 and are available to book now for travel from 15 November 2013. Here is a sneak peek inside the much anticipated BA A380. The destination for the initial test flights have yet to be announced. JFK was earlier on rumoured to be the first destination for BA A380. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alberttky 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2013 As per 05MAR13 GDS timetable and inventory display, British Airways outlined its planned Airbus A380 operation. First long-haul A380 service is scheduled for London Heathrow – Los Angeles service from 15OCT13, followed by London Heathrow – Hong Kong from 15NOV13. London Heathrow – Hong Kong eff 15NOV13 BA025/026 Daily (BA026 from 16NOV13)BA025 LHR1840 – 1420+1HKG 388 DBA027 LHR2100 – 1645+1HKG 77W D BA026 HKG2325 – 0450+1LHR 388 DBA028 HKG2345 – 0500+1LHR 77W D London Heathrow – Los Angeles15OCT13 – 26OCT13 BA269/268 Day 246; BA283/282 Day 15 eff 27OCT13 BA269/268 Day x26BA283 LHR1025 – 1330LAX 744 DBA269 LHR1500 – 1805LAX 388 x26BA269 LHR1500 – 1805LAX 744 26 BA282 LAX1625 – 1040+1LHR 744 DBA268 LAX2045 – 1455+1LHR 388 x26BA268 LAX2045 – 1455+1LHR 744 26 http://airlineroute.net/2013/03/05/ba-380-update1/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flee 5 Report post Posted March 5, 2013 Like MH, BA is using the A380 for genuinely long haul operations. This should mean that the A380 is used to its strength - lower fuel burn on long haul routes. On the revenue side, BA's LAX and HKG routes are able to support the additional capacity. BA should be able to get decent yields on these routes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kee Hooi Yen 0 Report post Posted March 5, 2013 BA A388 will be sitting at HKIA for 9 hours Share this post Link to post Share on other sites