March 21, 2007
Airbus Over New York
If you spot an unusually huge plane in the sky, it may be the behemoth Airbus A380. The new, double-deck plane, which is 239 feet long and 261 feet wide (yes, it's the wingspan of a football field; it's way bigger than a 747), is scheduled to fly over New York this morning around 10AM or so. If you spot it or happen to know where the best place to glimpse it, let us know in the comments!
And after the plane arrived in the U.S. for the first time at JFK International Airport on Monday, the NY Times spoke to James Fazio, the chief operating officer of JFK International. Airbus had shared its A380 plans with them a decade ago, in order to get airports to extend their runways to make sure the plane would be able to maneuver, with improvements are expected to total around $200 million. And A380-flying airlines (all foreign) are planning things like two-level passenger walkways onto the plane. If configured with just coach seats, the plane can hold 800 passengers, and the Port Authority likes having less planes with more people, given the limited amount of runway and gate space.
And we loved what Fazio said about the plane's size: “Wait until it flies over Manhattan. It will block out the sun.”
Photograph of the Airbus A380 at JFK Airport on Monday by Mark Lennihan/AP
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According to scientists, blocking out the sun is ONE way to reduce global warming.
Who knows, miracles may happen and the A380 won't turn out to be a white elephant money pit.
Don't count on it.
No disrespect to the awesome A380. But I think this plane does not serve the best interests of travellers. I think Boeing has it right by designing planes that are faster and more fuel efficient.
How come no one is complaining about this behemoth? It's like the SUV of the skies! Rise up and voice your opinions Gothamists! Just because it can't run you over you remain silent?
It is better to compare with a BUSS than a SUV. This way people get a better perception (probably not what you intended).
Well if this is cheaper for us passengers to Europe and Asia then go Airbus. Time will tell if this was the right decision. It's not going to benefit the general US population who less than 20% have passports but at least Airbus have spent the cash and developed something no one else has for the Europe and Asia markets!
It's like the SUV of the skies! Rise up and voice your opinions Gothamists! Just because it can't run you over you remain silent?
Yeah, except for the fact that it, you know, carries like 1000 people at a time.
First time one goes down (Knock on wood!) with 500 to 800 people, that Airline is finished...
The A380 left yesterday morning for Chicago. Your own Chicagoist.com reported its arrival ther yesterday.
Good write up here.
Two A380's came to the US on Monday. One to NYC, the other to LA. The plane that went to chicago was the A380 in Los Angeles.
Wow, I'm kiinda disappointed by the "way bigger than a 747" graphic. Turns out its about the same length as a 747. And since when is 261ft the length of a football field? Last I checked, a football field was 360ft...
Sorry, don't mean to be a spoilsport.
So where can I find this plane?
Also, why didnt America invent this plane, we always go big and gas guzzling (hummer)? Gothamists must be happy its a SUV just like the one they drive at home. Personally, its a small sky scraper with wings for me.
I am looking out my window from work at jfk now and it is taxing right now - what a big bird!!!! 3/21 @ 11:30 am JFK airport
- It's like the SUV of the skies!
- I think Boeing has it right by designing
planes that are faster and more fuel efficient.
err... The A380 is more economical per mile than any other passenger aircraft and produces less emissions. Operating costs are 15 to 20 percent lower and it produces less noise. Overall, its more efficient (per mile) than the average car. As for speed - the new Boeing "Dreamliner" reaches Mach .85 at full payload, same as the A380.
The A380 makes much more sense to the airlines that purchased them - dominate carriers from small (geographically speaking) countries. For Lufthansa, Frankfurt is the dominant gateway for long haul international flights to and from Germany. Every point in Germany is probably a little more than an hour flight from Frankfurt so it must be easier to funnel all of the passengers through one point. And if you think about it, do any US airlines still fly the 747?
Love Lufthansa. Hate their hub system. They need a hub in London.
Disaster waiting to happen.
"And if you think about it, do any US airlines still fly the 747?"
As a matter of fact, Northwest operates 16 of them and United operates 30.
A few things:
The 747 is also operated by several US cargo airlines and charter airlines.
There are also several generations of 747s. The original 747-100 may look a lot like the curent 747-400s, but they have updated avionics, engines, and changed what they build it out of.
As a very wise person once said:
Airbus combines the two worst forms of travel - air and bus.
The employees operating the A380 have a blog - they've been posting every few days now, videos of take-off, etc. It's pretty neat if you are a plane buff, or just like watching planes take off!
http://touch-down-a380-usa.blogspot.com/