Look, if you're an airport and you want to have the superjumbo Airbus A380 flying in and out, you can't just be like "hey, airlines, bring that big thang on over." Nope. Instead certain preparations must be made to accommodate an airliner of the A380's size and heft. To effectively manage each plane's 500+ passenger load, more jetways are needed, plus support vehicles to reach the upper deck. In some cases, airport runway indicator lights may need to be moved and the tarmac reinforced.

In other words, A380s can't just fly anywhere and, although the massive planes have been in the air since Singapore Airlines took delivery of the very first in 2007, not all that many airports around the world are treated to them. At least some of those are the United States...

US airports where you'll find A380s: ]]> JetSetCD 2012-01-11T09:28:00-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/27/17256/415

It never fails. We'll be at an airport, chilling at a gate awaiting a flight boarding announcement, and every time an Airbus A380 rolls up nearby, other travelers around us will stand and head to the windows for a better look.

There's just something about the double-decker jet, maybe that it's easy to spot or maybe because it's simply so massive that makes people pay attention. Flyers who wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a 737 and a 777 will point and reverently whisper, "that's that new superjumbo. Cooool."

LAX may not have as many airlines arriving with A380s as JFK, but they're inching up there. On the other hand, LAX has only two gates best equipped to service the beasts, so you'll usually know where to find them at the large airport. That'd be gates 101 and 123. Of the 7 airlines currently flying A380s, 3 have routes to LAX. Here's who to look for:]]> JetSetCD 2011-10-27T17:25:06-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/10/20/22419/505
Looking up the nose of a Lufthansa A380

It never fails. We'll be at an airport, chilling at a gate awaiting a flight boarding announcement, and every time an Airbus A380 rolls up nearby, other travelers around us will stand and head to the windows for a better look.

There's just something about the double-decker jet, maybe that it's easy to spot or maybe because it's simply so massive that makes people pay attention. Flyers who wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a 737 and a 777 will point and reverently whisper, "that's that new superjumbo. Cooool."

Even we still get crazy excited when we spot so much as an A380 tail peeking up from behind a terminal, and luckily New York-JFK Airport is one of the best places to get a good look. Of the 7 airlines currently flying A380s, 4 have routes to JFK, with a fifth arriving next year. Here's who to look for: ]]> JetSetCD 2011-10-20T09:35:03-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/9/21/83428/3612

If you’ve been paying attention to the comings and goings of the A380, you’d know that Korean Air recently got their very first big birds. The carrier is already shuttling happy passengers back and forth between New York-JFK and Seoul-Incheon International Airport, and there are plans to send similar planes further and farther.

We’ve been lucky enough to experience some A380 fun before—thanks Lufthansa—but unfortunately the in-flight duty free shop and the three onboard bars of Korean Air's A380 elude us. ]]> kjb 2011-09-21T08:42:42-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/12/84227/1645

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Frontier:
Every time we think of Frontier Airlines we’re reminded of the furry animals on the tails of the planes as well as their freshly baked cookies, so we’re always excited to hear about their new nonstop options. New seasonal options are heading between Denver and Little Rock beginning on November 17, and these flights will run six times per week. Des Moines is also getting some new options, as the city will be connected directly to Tampa and Orlando beginning in January—just in time for a trip out of the snow and into the sun.

· American Airlines:
We’ve been dreaming of nonstop jet service between Watertown, New York and Chicago-O’Hare—we kid—and now it’s finally arrived thanks to American Airlines. The American Eagle arm of the airline is offering the flights to and from the city that’s not too far from Lake Ontario or Canada beginning on November 17—perfect for the holiday rush. There’s two flights per day most days of the week, except on Saturdays and Sundays where there’s only one option. Definitely some good connection opportunities here for those flying into Chicago, as well for those looking to get some peace and quiet in upstate New York. ]]> kjb 2011-08-12T08:42:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/8/8/235222/6762

Right now there is a giant Airbus A380 parked at New York-JFK Airport. So what, right? There are A380s at JFK all the time now...but this one is special. This A380 is big and blue and taking off for a direct flight to Seoul-Incheon International Airport at 5:20pm today. It's flight KE 82 (if you want to track it) and it's Korean Air's first Airbus A380 as well as the first A380 to make scheduled flights from the US to Asia.

It's a big deal for sure, not only for the airline and the airports, but also—hugely—for the passengers hopping onboard today and on future flights. Korean Air's first A380 is ridiculously spacious, with unique features we've been drooling over for some time. Onboard are 12 Kosmo First Class suites and 301 Economy Class seats on the first level, with 94 lie-flat sleepers spaced six feet apart on the upper level. Oh—and there's three bars on board: a hosted Celestial Bar, there are self-serve bars located in First Class and at the front of Prestige Class. Plus plus a duty-free shop. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-08-09T11:38:20-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/6/10/84815/1179

Ho-ly crap. Have you seen what Korean Air has done with their very first Airbus A380? The superjumbo not only has the world's first flying mini duty-free shop (which already caused us to go bonkers), but there's also a full-fledged in-flight lounge. Yep, sofas and TV and boozy drinks and all.

Check out the A380 plan above, courtesy of Seatplans.com, to see the massive area they've dedicated to this chill space. Here is a photo, and here is another, of the actual thing. As you've probably already guessed, it'll only be open to those flying in Business and First Class, but the price of those seats also secures you early access to the duty-free shop and onboard bar. We're officially naming it a lifetime must-do-at-least-once experience. > ]]> JetSetCD 2011-06-10T12:52:23-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/