That will only happen if the plane is nearly full. If the plane isn't at least something like 80% full, then the amount of fuel per passenger will likely be higher than a 747. Jumbos use a tremendous amount of fuel for takeoff and climb. That limits the A380's chances to be profitable on shorter runs.
As for the luxury angle, there are a few airlines that may be able to successfully market that angle (Virgin comes to mind). However, the trend for the last 20 years or so has been for people to buy the cheapest fare they can find. That's what is killing so many of the legacy airlines, both in the US and overseas. They have a price structure that isn't competitive due to things like inefficient operations and bad labor agreements. Air travel is largely a commodity - and lower price is very often the deciding factor. Whether or not Airbus can keep the acquision and operations cost low enough will determine the A380's success. Bigger isn't always better.
Current Events » in reply to re: The Airbus is radically different from Concorde
"And there's less fuel spent per passengers"
The whole thread (29 posts)
- Any thoughts about the new Airbus A380 super jumbojet?
- Is this how the EU plans to market the A380?
- Too tempting a target........
- Operational cost and mission flexibility
- Can imagine long lines and delays...
- Passenger seat operating cost is the key point
- re: Any thoughts
- Very big, and very big bodycounts when it crashes. (n/t)