Tag: a380

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Inside Frankfurt Airport's Completely New A-Plus Concourse: Six Million Travelers Can't Be Wrong

Where: Frankfurt International Airport, Frankfurt, Germany
November 16, 2012 at 1:42 PM | by | Comment (1)

Last month, Lufthansa opened the brand-spanking-new A-Plus Concourse at Germany's Frankfurt International Airport. Why's it so special? Well, among other things, it's directly designed for the biggest, baddest airplanes out there. We're talking A340s, 747s, 747-8is, and the almighty A380. This week, we'll take you inside and all around this place through which some 6 million travelers will journey each year.

0500 hours.

The seatbelt sign is on and traytables are up and locked. The Lufthansa Airbus A380 named "Tokio" is on final approach to Frankfurt International and we're inside.

Seat 15K.

It's a window, upper deck, right over the hulking wing of this superjumbo. Looking out, the airport on the horizon glows with the fluorescence of its millions of lights, pre-dawn. Usually we're not super anxious to leave a plane to experience the airport, but Frankfurt is an exception.

Wheels down.

Turning off onto the taxiway, we can already spot the many Lufthansa crane logos that adorn each Star Alliance gate. It's pretty obvious who rules this coop.

Rounding a corner, the A380 aims for its new home on the ground—a long, sleek concourse with gates and facilities designed for its massive dimensions. Whereas the plane squeezes itself into other airports, like buttoning pants two sizes too small, here it finds Frankfurt's just-opened A-Plus Concourse is tailor-made with breathing room. Once we've parked, three jetbridges stretch out to welcome over 500 passengers into these fresh digs.

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Time to Start Putting the Pieces Together on British Airways' First 787

November 14, 2012 at 9:17 AM | by | Comments (0)

When it comes to scoring their very first Boeing 787, airline officials over at British Airways are pretty far back in the line. That means there will be no new Boeing under the tree this holiday season, but we think they’ll be okay. That’s because the assemblers and engineers have once again taken out the airplane directions, and they’re starting to put together the pieces for the very first British Airways 787.

The first 787 is set to join the fleet as soon as next May, and in total there will be around a couple dozen of the new airplanes. That’s not the only new puppy heading into the hangar, as British Airways also has like 12 Airbus A380s on backorder as well. In fact, they’ll be the first carrier in Europe flying both of these new planes, so other airlines have been warned.

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Inside the Lufthansa Lounge at New York's JFK Airport

Where: JFK International Airport [map], New York , NY, United States
November 13, 2012 at 1:16 PM | by | Comments (0)

Last month, Lufthansa opened the brand-spanking-new A-Plus Concourse at Germany's Frankfurt International Airport. Why's it so special? Well, among other things, it's directly designed for the biggest, baddest airplanes out there. We're talking A340s, 747s, 747-8is, and the almighty A380. This week, we'll take you inside and all around this place through which some 6 million travelers will journey each year.

Before we can have a peek around the A-Plus Concourse at Frankfurt Airport, we've got to get there first! LH 401 leaves JFK at 3:45pm and arrives FRA just after 5am, as one of the absolute earliest flights to put its wheels down at Frankfurt International each day. As you've effectively got to hit the ground running, it's extra important that those pre-flight hours are extra restful or productive. This is where the 16,000-sq ft Lufthansa Flagship Lounge at JFK's Terminal 1 comes into play.

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No Sleep 'Til Changi as Singapore Airlines Hooks Up In-Flight WiFi

Where: Singapore
September 6, 2012 at 11:42 AM | by | Comment (1)

You heard it here first in April and now, after five months of testing and tooling, A340s and select A380s and 777-300ERs will be able to log on in the air, no matter where that happens to be (with the exception of on the runway and under 10,000'). This includes the A340s that operate what's known as the world's longest non-stop commercial flight, Newark to Singapore.

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Win Two Seats on Singapore Airlines' Next A380 Delivery Flight

August 17, 2012 at 5:41 PM | by | Comments (0)

Delivery flights are magical things. A brand-spanking-new airplane rolls off the line and is ready to take its rightful place as a vehicle for transporting travelers around the world. The manufacturer hands the keys over to the purchasing airline, and the airline takes her home for keeps. It's that transfer—from the manufacturer to the airline—that defines a delivery flight.

Up 'til now, delivery flights have been reserved for those employed by the airline or manufacturer, or journalists within the aviation industry. Singapore Airlines is about to change all that, however; they're hosting a contest to give away two seats on the upcoming delivery flight of their 19th Airbus A380 on September 6.

You've got until August 28 to get your name in to win, and here's how to do so:

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Flying Business Class on the Qantas A380

Where: Australia
July 2, 2012 at 11:03 AM | by | Comments (2)

To round out our coverage from onboard the Qantas A380, it's time to take a look at Business Class.

Business is one of the biggest, well, businesses for Qantas, and most of the upper deck on the A380 is dedicated to Business Class Seats. Behind this is the small Premium Economy section.

The cabin seems lighter and roomier, and there is a new Business Lounge located toward the front of the plane, where passengers can spend some time out of their seats and stretch their legs, read, snack or perhaps chat to their fellow travelers.

Our photo gallery will show you around the seat and amenities offered in Business and we can tell you that the infamous Qantas service was, thankfully, exceptional on our leg from Sydney to Los Angeles.

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Ten Solid Reasons to Always Ask for a Window Seat, in Photos

June 29, 2012 at 10:24 AM | by | Comment (1)

We'll admit it: on a day flight, we're enormous window seat fans. There's just so much of the world out there to see—and to capture in a photo.

From takeoff to landing, from the super-posh seats up the front of an A380 to the last row of economy on a Saab puddlejumper, let us take you on a journey around the world, and persuade you that windows are where it's at.

Ten photos that prove you should always ask for a window seat:

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Airfare Deal Alert: $799 to Europe, $1,199 to Asia on a Singapore Airlines A380

Where: Singapore
June 25, 2012 at 1:21 PM | by | Comments (0)

Hey, who wants to fly to Frankfurt onboard an Airbus A380? Trick question! Who doesn't?

If you followed along with our incredible journey on none other than the Singapore Airlines A380 earlier this year, then we've got super awesome news: the mega flight deal from New York-JFK to Frankfurt and has returned, for an 11-day sale. Wait wait wait—the deal gets sweeter as Singapore isn't just discounting roundtrip economy class tickets to Europe, but also on to Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The prices (including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges):

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A Wistful Peek at First Class on a Qantas A380

Where: Australia
June 22, 2012 at 3:52 PM | by | Comments (0)

Now that we've pitted Economy vs. Premium Economy on the Qantas A380, it's time to go to the other end of the spectrum and do some daydreaming about First Class.

You'll have to excuse our poor iPhone photos of the First Class cabin—we did a quick tour of the plane before boarding, and had some technical issues with our other camera. (The blurriness, we blame on the soft lighting and, well, awe.)

Since we didn't fly First Class, we've also added some professional PR images from Qantas to illustrate how the First Class Suite works as a recliner, a dining table for two and a comfy bed.

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Onboard a Qantas A380: Economy versus Premium Economy

June 21, 2012 at 11:32 AM | by | Comments (0)

It's had some ups and downs but for now, the Qantas A380 seems to be flying high. Especially now that we've finally been onboard one for a flight from LAX to Sydney and back.

We traveled in Economy on our way over, and also had the chance to take a quick tour of the aircraft before general boarding. Here, we bring you a look at the Economy and Premium Economy cabins, and what differentiates the two.

ECONOMY
After many trips between the US and Australia on Qantas 747s, we immediately felt a difference stepping inside the A380 Economy cabin. It feels brighter and more airy. We do think the seats look narrower but there is more space overhead, which makes it less claustrophobic than usual. Our seat was near the front of the first section and this at least helped us avoid the feeling of being in a massive cattle class.

While the new seats have new headrest wings and "footrest" nets, we didn't feel the benefit of these, being a tiny 5'2". Taller passengers will obviously make better use of the footrests. We were, however, comfortable, although that was aided by being in a three-seat configuration with an empty seat between us and our row-mate.

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Special-Edition Luxury Items for Some Special Airplanes

Where: Germany
May 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM | by | Comments (0)

You know that famous saying, "every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings?" Well, we swear that every time a new passenger aircraft type is produced, luxury goods companies roll out limited-edition items.

This month, the highlight falls on the two superjumbo-est of the superjumbos: both the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747-8. You might need to get a towel to mop up your drool before you keep reading...

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Consistency is Key on Qantas

Where: Australia
May 24, 2012 at 10:19 AM | by | Comments (0)

As airlines keep introducing fresh aircraft into their fleets, usually the interiors will vary, depending on how new a plane you end up flying. It's a common issue, and it's still the case with Qantas' ultra-long haul product after the introduction of the infamous big bird, the A380.

By the end of the year, this will all be fixed as the rest of the airline's long-haul aircraft come under the knife for the needed update. The Red Roo has started to refurbish the cabins of the older 747s to align the experience customers have when flying 14+ hours over the pacific. So, very soon, you need not worry about what specific aircraft you're booking when booking with Qantas.

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