New Airbus A380 Aircraft Becomes A Billionaire's Private Jet

The France based Airbus company has said it'll fill orders from 14 foreign customers for nearly 200 of the world's largest double-decker commercial jets so far. But number 157 will be reserved for an "undisclosed billionaire", who according to wired.com is going to pay nearly half a billion dollars for this world's largest passenger aircraft.This undisclosed billionaire will be paying $475 million for the plane - $325 million price tag, plus $150 million in custom upgrades - thereby making it one of the most expensive mobile homes in the world.Here is an illustration of the $475 million, custom Airbus A380 flying house. For mysterious reasons of his or her own, the Billionaire has christened the aircraft as "Project Trinity!"New York based industrial designer Ed se Doret has outfitted the personalized aircraft, with everything from a massive formal dining room to a whirlpool tub. So the A380 flying house is ready to takeoff with the mysterious him or her when Airbus gives the clear signal

New Airbus

The new Dominican airline, Air Dominicana has recently taken delivery of three new ‘Flying Duck’ airbuses. The new planes are the latest models from the European manufacturer and can reportedly carry 15% more passengers, 25% more luggage, and 18 more stewardesses, 19 if they are particularly slim or if they agree not to eat during the flight.
The Flying Ducks, officially known as the A381’s are the latest innovation designed to cut into sales of Airbus’s main rival Boeing. So far, sales have been slow, and Air Dominicana is the first client to take a risk on the new model.
Air Dominicana’s president, Juan Jose Hidalgo was very confident that the new planes would be a boost to the new
company’s image and efficiency.
“We know that tourists love ducks, and so they will love our planes. Even ducks like the new planes!” he said.
The one chief advantage of the new shape, is that the long, flexible neck allows the front of the plane to adjust up or down. This means that when the plane is flying through clouds, the cockpit can be lifted out of the clouds so the pilot can get a clear view of the path ahead, while the main body of the plane remains in the clouds collecting and filtering moisture through specially designed air-intakes for the air-conditioning and coffee-making system.
Christian Streiff, chief executive of Airbus, was keen to talk about the new planes to our reporter.
“Thirty years after launching the world’s first twin-aisle, twin-engine jetliner, we’ve introduced the A381 as the first true double-duck passenger airliner for the long-range market. The A381 offers unprecedented levels of productivity, efficiency and economics in passenger service, while the A381-800F cargo version is to be the first commercial freighter with three full cargo ducks.”
The Dutch airline KLM is also rumored to be interested in trying out the new planes. If they do make a purchase the ‘Flying Dutch Ducks’ would fly into Puerto Plata once a week.
Rumors regarding Lufthansa’s interest in operating ‘Flying Deutsche Ducks’ out of Frankfurt have also surfaced
Virgin Airlines in the UK have also had some discussion with Airbus and are looking to test out some ‘Virgin Ducks’.
American Eagle Airlines are unsure about the new planes as its unclear whether ‘American Eagle Ducks’ would perform better.
Air Canada have said they will definately not be buying the A381’s, as there is nothing vaguely funny in the term ‘Canuck Duck’. They have indicated that they would however be interested in a “Canuck Puck” plane shaped like an ice-hockey puck which they believe would travel faster.

France launches investigation into Airbus crash in Toulouse

An investigation has been launched in France into a crash at Toulouse airport involving an Airbus plane, which was ready for delivery to the Abu Dhabi base in the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad Airways is reported to have stated that it had nothing to do with its staff when the A340-600 plane crashed into a barrier, and in so doing causing injuries to five people who were on board at the time.



A spokesman for Etihad Airways explained that the injured people were from a firm contracted to test the plane before it was delivered to its new destination.

None of the injuries the workers sustained were described as serious and the cause of the crash remains undetermined at present.

The Airbus A340 was said by the airline concerned to have been due to be delivered next week to the base in Abu Dhabi.

Airbus 2

n the case of the A380, Airbus’ next generation full double-deck passenger aircraft, simulation engineers faced many new challenges. In its standard version the A380 holds 555 passengers in three classes, on two decks. In theory, a layout holding more than 800 economy class passengers is also possible. It is well documented that Airbus wants to offer airlines and passengers an improved level of cabin comfort and as a result significant demands are placed on the cabin ventilation system.
The ventilation system has to fulfil not only the requirements imposed by the authorities, like minimum air exchange rates or maximum pollutant concentrations, but also Airbus’ self imposed limits like maximum velocity, minimum humidity, etc.In addition, the nature of the cabin flow field has to be designed to ensure the risk for spreading airborne transmitteddiseases is kept to a minimum. Public concern over the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) during 2003, ensured that aircraft cabin ventilation systems became the focus of public interest.
The fast turn-around times required in the early design stages of large cabin models are often not feasible due to the highamount of cells required to resolve small features like air inlets. In the past, the hardware resources and softwarecapabilities were not always available to run extensive cabin models, which resulted in the problem of “boundary conditionclosure”. Simulating just a slice of the cabin leaves two major boundaries (front & back) in the open. This problem can beaddressed by using no-slip walls, symmetry planes, prescribed in- and outflow or cyclic boundary conditions. However, each solution comes with certain compromises on either the accuracy and/or comparability of results. This is especially true if the area of interest is close to a cabin feature such as the galley, lavatory or, in the special case of the A380, stairhouses. The availability of low-cost CPU power and the release of STAR-CCM+ allowed ICON to approach the problem by creating a complete cabin model for a double deck aircraft seating 484 passengers in three classes.

NASA brings

Massive Model Interaction

Boeing 777 Cabin Interior

The Boeing 777

"The Boeing 777-200LR supports our business plan to grow Emirates’ route structure to include new nonstop flights to destinations worldwide, including the West Coast of the United States and South America," said Emirates Chairman H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. "The 777-200LR will complement our existing fleet of 777 jetliners, soon to be the world’s largest, and offer our passengers the exceptional level of service and comfort they’ve come to expect from Emirates."

One of the routes Emirates plans to open with a 777-200LR is a nonstop flight between Sao Paulo and Dubai, making it the first time an airline has offered nonstop service between the Middle East and South America. Air India plans to open a new nonstop route between Mumbai and New York. To date, the 777-200LR has won 40 orders from seven customers.

"The 777-200LR is changing the way airlines fly passengers around the world by opening more direct, nonstop routes that fly passengers directly to where they want to go," said Lars Andersen, vice president-program manger, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 777-200LR is capable of flying up to 9,450 nautical miles (17,500 km), enabling the airplane to connect virtually any two cities around the world nonstop, carrying 301 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. Also, the 777-200LR can carry a full cargo load on routes where other airplanes are payload limited. This gives airlines the capability to carry the same number of passengers farther, and with additional revenue-generating cargo.

In its first year in service, the 777-200LR amassed a 99.7 percent average schedule reliability rate and is in line with 777’s best-in-class schedule reliability. The 777-200LR is equipped with the GE90-110B1L, a re-rated version of the world’s most powerful commercial jet engine - the GE90-115B.

"The GE90-110B1L engine has performed exceptionally well on the Boeing 777-200LR airplane," said Tom Wygle, general manager of the GE90 program at GE Aviation. "Based on the proven technologies of the GE90 engine family, the engine has demonstrated an outstanding reliability record, fuel efficiency and low cost of ownership."

The 777 family of airplanes is the market leader in the 300 to 400-seat segment, capturing more than 65 percent of that market. To date, 48 customers have placed 918 orders for the efficient, reliable and passenger-pleasing 777 jetliner. Boeing continues to enhance the 777 family with the recent introduction of two new longer-range models and a freighter version currently in development.

Apart from

Apart from the prime contractors in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain, components for the A380 airframe are also manufactured by industrial partners in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. A380 final assembly is taking place in Toulouse , France , with interior fitment in Hamburg, Germany . Major A380 assemblies are transported to Toulouse by ship, barge and road .

Capacity

A380-800 - Flightcrew of two. Standard seating for 555 passengers on two decks in a three class arrangement.
A380 has 49% more floor area but only 35% more seats (in 555 seat configuration) than the 747-400, allowing room for passenger amenities such as bars, gymnasiums and duty free shops. Cargo capacity 38 LD3s or 13 pallets.

The following

The followingTh is reportedly a genuine message from within Airbus: - QXTBS7X 201546FROM : AIRBUS FLIGHT SAFETY DEPARTMENT TOULOUSESUBJECT: A340-600 - MSN 856 - ACCIDENT IN PRODUCTIONOUR REF.: F-WWCJ AIT 2 DATED 20th OF NOVEMBER 2007PREVIOUS REF: F-WWCJ AIT 1 DATED 16th OF NOVEMBER 2007THIS AIT IS AN UPDATE OF PREVIOUS AIT N?1 CONCERNING THE A340-600PRODUCTION AIRCRAFT MSN 856 INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN AIRBUS PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN TOULOUSE ON THE 15TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 17:00 LOCAL TIME.

Hardly

Hardly a "don't tell anyone, they won't notice scenario", some of you may have seen this last week, but it appears what happened is that Airbus engineers were engine testing an A340 600 aircraft, prior to delivery to Etihad, who like many other carriers are desperate for the aircraft, when it appears the aircraft started moving and it hurled into the sound barrier, breaking the nose off the aircraft. Apparently the aircraft is write off and it appears that Airbus does not have any 430 600's in production and are not making any more, so leaving them and Etihad with bit of a dilemma.

Ever done something really stupid........????

We all have bad days at work, but the worker at the Airbus Toulouse factory responsible for this disaster [pictured right] must must have thought this was the worst day in their lives.

Delta Airlines Sucks

Spear

There is no way the airlines can continue to loft that much metal across the skies at the rate of oil depletion we are witnessing. The only way to keep air travel viable is to lessen the fuel required, and the only way to do that is with airships, or dirigibles. They are slower, but use far less energy to carry a greater load.
There are a few other benefits, including greater safety as they don’t drop from the sky when power is lost. Passenger areas can be more accommodating than a cramped jet, and you won’t get much of a bang out of crashing one into a building, or anything else for that matter

A350 XWB Cabin

Airbus has designed the A350 XWB with a cabin cross-section of 220 inches from window-adjacent armrest to armrest, allowing airlines to install wider seats than in today's widebody jets and yet still provide wide access aisles. The A350 XWB will also have many precise temperature-control zones, draft-free air circulation, more humid cabin air than today's jets, and a typical cabin altitude of 6,000 feet or less during cruise flight.

Cockpit View

Interior

The A320 is one of the best known commercial airliners. Worldwide the Airbus 320 can be configured for 100+ plus passengers, 50-60 first class seats, and geographic VIP configurations.
Vanguard Aviation provides wholesale rates, superior quality, utilizing the long term relationships within the industry to insure unmatched quality, safety, and expertise within the industry.

The aircraft

The aircraft used for the trial is A380 MSN002 and is powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines. From its start in Toulouse, France, on November 13th, the current technical route proving exercise will see ten different airports visited in four trips by the time the testing is complete: Singapore and Seoul, and Hong Kong and Narita being trips one and two respectively. The third trip will take the aircraft to Guangzhou (22nd November), and Beijing and Shanghai (23rd November).

The fourth and final trip will take the A380 around the globe, via both poles. It will depart Toulouse to reach Johannesburg on 26th November, and then fly over the South Pole en-route to Sydney where it will arrive on 28th November. From Sydney, it will fly across the Pacific to Vancouver (29th November) prior to returning to Toulouse via the North Pole.

During this technical route proving exercise, the A380 will have to demonstrate that it can be turned around as per normal airline operations. Tests will cover, amongst other things, checks on standard aircraft maintenance and behaviour, as well as typical airport operations and compatibility. These will include monitoring functions such as bridge docking, cleaning and catering, refuelling and boarding procedures.

Five development A380s have now flown. Four aircraft, one of which is powered by the Engine Alliance GP7200 engine, are now actively involved in the intensive flight test programme, which has already reached over 730 flights and 2,300 flight hours. The fifth aircraft is undergoing cabin installation in Hamburg. Firm orders and commitments for the A380 currently stand at 166 aircraft for 15 customers.

World Record Attempts

World Record Attempts

Sir Richard Branson has been involved in many world record breaking activities;

1986 His boat Virgin Atlantic Challenger II crossed the Atlantic Ocean in record breaking time.

1987 Virgin Atlantic Flyer was the first air balloon to ever cross the Atlantic.

1991 The Virgin Atlantic Flyer crossed the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Artic Canada at record speeds of up to 245 miles an hour! Now that’s fast.

1995 – 1998 Richard Branson made various attempts to circumnavigate the world in a hot air balloon however the weather never prevented him from seeing this dream come into life. They were in fact beaten by a Swiss firm in 1999.

Innovations

‘Flying without Fear’ program was established on 4 April 1998. It helps people overcome their fear of flying.

It is a one day program that is aimed at conquering a person’s fear of flying. The program consists of a session run by a VS pilot in the morning that discusses safety but also teaches people about things such as what are the normal sounds that would be heard during a flight and why they occur. This is then followed by a session on relaxation techniques.

At the end of the day session, participants are given the opportunity to conquer their fear and participate in a short flight.

As recently seen on The View, where Whoopi Goldberg went through the program live on air on the April 01 2009 to conquer her fear of flying.

Skytrax World Airline Award (2008)

The top 10 2008 Skytrax World Airline Award rankings (last year’s rankings in brackets)

1 Singapore Airlines (1)
2 Cathay Pacific (3)
3 Qantas (5)
4 Thai Airways (2)
5 Asiana Airlines (12)
6 Malaysia Airlines (6)
7 Qatar Airways (4)
8 Air New Zealand (7)
9 Emirates (9)
10 Etihad Airways (23)

SURVEY METHODOLOGY
The survey was operated over a 11 month period (August 2007 to June 2008), during which time air travellers completed a wide range of survey nominations – for the Airline of the Year title, together with regional and other award categories.  The Survey data is collated from a variety of input sources, including:

Passenger Interviews completed online & via e-mail
Business Research Group / Travel Panel Interviews
Corporate Travel Questionnaire / Interviews
Telephone Interviews
Selective Passenger Interviews
Product and Service factors ranked by customers in the survey included :

GROUND / AIRPORT
Standard of Airline web site
Online Booking service
Online check-in services

Airport Ticket Counters
Waiting times at Check-in
Quality of Check-in service
Self Check-in options
Boarding Procedures
Friendliness of Ground staff
Efficiency of Ground Staff
Transfer services
Arrival services
Baggage Delivery
Handling Delays

ONBOARD : PRODUCT
Cabin Seat comfort
Cabin Cleanliness
Toilet Cleanliness
Cabin Lighting / Ambience
Cabin Temperatures
Cabin Comfort amenities
Reading Materials
Airline magazine
Inflight Entertainment standards
Audio / Movie programming
AVOD options
Quality of Meals
Quantity of Food served
Meal Choices
Selection of Drinks / Pay bar formats

ONBOARD : STAFF SERVICE
Assistance thru Boarding
Friendliness of Staff
Service Attentiveness / Efficiency
Consistency of Service across different 
Staff Language skills
Meal service efficiency
Availability thru Flight / Cabin presence
PA announcements
Problem solving Skills
General Staff Attitudes
Staff Grooming

World Airline Industry

Switzerland - IATA says World Airline Industry to Lose $4.7 Billion in 2009 says IATA

World airlines are set to lose $4.7 billion this year as a result of the global recession that has shrunk passenger and cargo demand, industry body IATA said. The International Air Transport Association had estimated in December the industry would lose $2.5 billion in 2009.IATA the Swiss-based body said its latest forecast was based on a view that the economy and air transport demand would hit bottom by mid-2009 and then start to recover.

"We do expect better prospects toward the end of this year or the beginning of 2010," Bisignani told a news conference at Geneva airport. Leading airlines have slashed fares to encourage continued travel and unveiled a range of cost-cutting measures to stay afloat throughout an economic slump. Fares should stay low throughout the year while airlines compete for the business that remains until global economic activity rebounds, Bisignani said.

World Airline Captain Cap

World Airline Captain Cap

Global figures

Global figures for commercial aviation crashes in 2007 show an all-time low of 23 fatal accidents. Even the number of fatal casualties, at 597, was well below the annual average for the past 10 years. Comparable figures for accidents in 2006 show 27 fatal accidents resulting in just over 863 fatalities. The annual averages for the decade 1998-2007 show 34.5 fatal accidents and 846 fatalities a year (see chart below).

air routes

Map of global passenger air routes. This image is generally correct, but not specifically correct. Flights take various routes, and the traffic density portrayed is based on the number of airlines on a particular route, not the number of actual flights. Data from Google Maps, Airlineroutemaps.com, and individual airline websites.