Malaysia Airlines Takes Delivery of its First Airbus A380
Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380
Malaysia Airlines has taken delivery of its first A380, becoming the eighth operator of the world’s largest and most eco-efficient airliner. The aircraft was handed over to MAS Group Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jauhari Yahya by Airbus Chief Operating Officer Fabrice Brégier in Toulouse today.
Malaysia Airlines has ordered six A380s. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, the aircraft feature a premium three class layout, with accommodation for a total of 494 passengers. Features include fully flat beds in First and Business Class, plus new wider seats in Economy.
Seats in all classes are equipped with the latest individual in-flight entertainment systems, USB ports and satellite telephone facilities.
“The A380 showcases our latest premium offering in products and services. This will be our flagship aircraft, offering new levels of comfort, luxury and convenience for long haul travel,” said Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, MAS Group Chief Executive Officer. “With the A380 in our fleet, MAS will reinforce its position as one of the world’s preferred premium carriers bringing great Malaysian Hospitality to our customers.”
“We are extremely proud to welcome Malaysia Airlines as the latest operator of the A380,” said Fabrice Brégier, Chief Operating Officer, Airbus. “The A380 has set new standards of comfort, fuel-efficiency and respect for the environment. The combination of these features and MAS’s world-famous in-flight service represents a winning formula, enabling the carrier to offer its passengers the best the industry has to offer.”
Since first entering service in 2007, the A380 has exceeded all expectations, flying more people further at lower cost, while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
The spacious, quiet cabin and smooth ride have also made the A380 a firm favourite with passengers, resulting in higher load factors and increased profitability on all routes where the aircraft is operated.
Typically seating 525 passengers in a three class layout, the A380 is capable of flying 8,300 nautical miles or 15,300 kilometres. This enables non-stop service with a full payload from Kuala Lumpur to any destination in Europe or one-stop service to major destinations in the US.
PR: Airbus
Category: Airnation
Do you think these A380′s have had the wings retrofitted with permanent repairs?
Yes, I have to assume that the fixes are already in place for any deliveries now.
Oh good good! I was gonna say, WHY would those airlines accept these lemons??
They’re actually working on a permanent redesign of the wings.
I wonder if it’ll affect the fuel efficiency and max weights?
Great choice MAS! Amazing plane. Puts the 747 to shame…which…by the way shouldn’t even be allowed to fly anymore.
Why do you think the A380 puts the 747 to shame? And why shouldn’t the 747 be allowed to fly? LOL. The A380 isn’t old enough, nor had enough time to have the bugs worked out of itt, to say it can put anything “to shame”. It’s performance is stunning, but it needs to build a reputation with proven reliability over time. In the year 1975 the 747 didn’t put anything to shame- it was simply too new and inexperienced. But after 40+ years of work it’s without a doubt the industry leader. Proven reliability puts things to shame, not short lived status.
I have more Chris but start with this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747_hull_losses
…and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus#Development_of_the_A380
How are those lower “operating costs” working for the current A380 operators so far? LOL
In all seriousness, most planes have issues when they first come out (…however most of them make it past the trees at an air show before introduction…) but it’s how they perform AFTER these issues are fixed, after many successful years of service. Boeing’s have had similar issues (the 747 with the cargo door and the 727 with the leading edge slats not retracting on it’s first test flight), but they’ve been able to prove themselves over time.
If i was around in 1970, i NEVER would have flown on the 747; it was simply too new. No one knew anything about it, or how it would hold up. But now that we do, and now that we know all of it’s flaws, they’re one of the safest planes in the sky. As for the A380, although some flaws (ex: wings) have been found and supposedly fixed, no one knows for sure if there’s anything else- not even the engineers. Same for the dreaded 787; we simply don’t know how it will hold up. I for one wouldn’t be caught dead flying either! At least not for another 20 years!
To say that the A380 puts the 747 “to shame” is quite immature, considering how new the A380 is, and especially after the issues we’re already seeing with the wing cracks. Not even the 747 had such a tremendous structural flaw so early after introduction…
And you can’t discuss accident history as most of them have to do with the era the 747 was introduced in. The technology in 1970 was a LOT different than it was when the A380 was introduced. Not to mention pilot training and the safety features the A380 was able to have equipped, since we already “learned our lessons” from the 747 accidents.
So it’s kind of hard to argue that the A380 puts the 747 “to shame” as the 747 has no reason to be shameful. It was the best in it’s time, and i think you might wanna look it up because the 747-8i is indicating a faster cruise speed, has a longer range, and gets better fuel efficiency than the A380. Unless an airline were to run the A380 at it’s “fullest” passenger capacity (which none currently are, neither in seating configs nor actual passenger manifests) the 747 is still coming out as the better performer.
But again, i still wouldn’t fly on the new 747-8i. New wings, new materials… not for me! Let’s see how it holds up in 20 years and “maybe” i’ll take a ride… Until then, give me a 35 year old DC9 and i’ll relax knowing it’s proven itself since 1965 and has been given a rating of 100,000 CYCLES (yes that’s right, CYCLES) by the FAA. Now THAT’S a plane that puts the rest to shame…