Tag: Airbus A380

How The Other Half Flies

Really? Is this what you use while your own plane is in the shop?

I’m chatting with my friend as he waits at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. He’s in-transit from Kabul, Afghanistan to Los Angeles. Three flights. Thirty three hours. He is happy.

My friend is one of the few people I know who is exceptionally suited to living the ex-pat life on-the-road.

I told him I am envious of his travel. I am envious of the ease with which he moves through foreign cities. We have chatted while he’s been on five continents.

He’s taking the long way home tonight. He could have hopped a non-stop from Dubai, but it’s outrageously expensive. Why?

That sent me to the Emirates Air website. I wanted to see how the other half flies.

Refresh mid-flight in the Emirates A380 signature Shower Spa

We understand that air travel can be tiring, especially during long flights. That’s why we included two onboard Shower Spas as part of the First Class experience on the Emirates A380.

From the state-of-the-art shower system to the classic walnut and marble design to fine linens, the Shower Spas were conceived with your pleasure and convenience in mind. And, to complete the spa experience, we offer our signature Timeless Spa shower kits, made from the finest natural ingredients.

A relaxing visit to the Shower Spa can help ensure you arrive at your destination ready to take on the day.

Yeah. Why haven’t I ever taken the shower spa upgrade?

There’s more on their planes including a walk-up snack bar on the second deck for Business and First Class passengers. And, of course…

Retreat into your own world inside the Emirates A380 First Class Private Suite

If you value privacy and personalised service above all else, you’ll love our First Class Private Suites. Each suite comes fully equipped with a sliding door, a personal mini-bar, adjustable ambient lighting, and its own vanity table, mirror and wardrobe.

If you want to stretch out and sleep, our crew will convert your seat to a fully flat bed with a mattress, so you can arrive at your destination totally refreshed. And if you’re travelling with a companion, the privacy divider separating the adjoining suites can be lowered, allowing you to share your experience together.

Really? Is this what you use while your own plane is in the shop?

My friend’s more pedestrian Air France 777 flight will take the Great Circle Route over England and Ireland, Southern Greenland and Canada’s Hudson Bay. Between the ocean and the vastness of the boreal forest he’ll be far removed from civilization most of the trip. He reenters the United States over North Dakota.

It’s a helluva commute to get home.

Wouldn’t you like to try the Emirates flight just once?

A380 Hype

The Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, took to the skies on its maiden flight Wednesday. It is an immense plane flying through a sea of hype.

Each time I’ve seen a TV package or read an article about this plane there was always the mention of its ability to fly with a gym or casino or shops or something other than 800 of your closest friends, all with their knees pressed firmly up against their chests.

It’s true. This plane can bring these incredible amenities to the sky. It won’t happen, but it’s true.

I remember American Airlines first transcontinental flight of a Boeing 747 in 1970. There, in the piano bar, was Frank Sinatra, Jr. entertaining. Hey, you can have a lounge in a 747!

MGM Grand Air flew jets with private compartments and movie star treatment between LAX and JFK. Here’s a page showing what they offered. It’s similar to the Airbus claims. Of course MGM Grand Air went out of business years ago..

When was the last time you hopped aboard a plane and found a lounge act or a private sitting room? Hell, when was the last time you hopped aboard and found food?

Any plane can be outfitted any way. There are 737s equipped for private transportation. The one pictured on the left looks pretty comfy. Wave some cash at Boeing or Airbus or any airplane manufacturer and the world is your oyster.

Unfortunately in the real world, air travel is a commodity. People shop by price and the price of flying in an airplane filled with anything other than seats is out of the question for most of us.

Last weekend at the wedding in Atlanta, I met people who traveled from Connecticut to Atlanta via Detroit! Delta has non-stops, but Northwest via DTW was a lot cheaper&#185. Price wins.

I’m not sure why Airbus has gone to such great lengths to tout a level of service few, if any, of us will ever see. Maybe it’s because they don’t want us talking about how long it will take to get on and off the A380 with 800 of your closest friends? Who wants to think about how much time it will take before 800 sets of baggage hit the carousel?

Air service is not returning to the suit and tie days of the 50s, 60s and 70s. This is going to end up a huge cattle car in the sky. Just pray it’s efficient enough to allow fares to stay as low as they are.

&#185 – I find it curious that Northwest can undercut Delta’s non-stop price considering the costs involved in flying extra miles, additional crew and aircraft time plus the expense of transferring passengers and their baggage.