A380 soon to fly into London Heathrow

Heathrow airport have commenced developments to accommodate the A380. Terminal 3 will see a pier be demolished to allow space for the plane's wingspan.

The new development will be 280m long and 3 storeys high. Passengers will be able to disembark from both levels of the aircraft.

Managing Director of BAA said that preparations are going well: "The A380 will be an important aircraft for Heathrow... but we are also ensuring that our new facilities can accommodate all types of aircraft and meet the needs of all our airlines," he said.

A new pier will see 4 new aircraft stands designed to serve new models of aircraft such as the Airbus A320.

Airlines planning to operate the A380 to Heathrow include Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas.

It's a Date for the Airbus A380

On March 18th the world’s largest passenger aircraft will fly into and out of Heathrow for the first time.

The plane is of course the Airbus A380, which will be winging it’s way into London for it’s first commercial flight from Singapore.

Singapore Airlines will take delivery of their third A380 in March which will enable the airline to begin services to Heathrow.

The first A380 commercial flight to London, will leave Singapore’s Changi Airport on Tuesday, March 18th at 9am and arrive at Heathrow at 3.05pm the same day.

The aircraft will then return to Singapore leaving Heathrow at 6.55pm and arriving back into Singapore on Wednesday.

The Airbus A380...

... the more I see, the more I like!

Singapore Airlines announce A380 flights to Heathrow

Singapore Airlines have announced plans to start flights from Singapore to Heathrow using the A380 commencing March 18th.

The world's largest aircraft is already in service flying to Sydney. The new direct flight to the UK will be the start of a daily return service.

The airline have commented:

"The A380 will provide a capacity expansion on the popular Singapore-London route, for the first time, an aircraft larger than the Boeing 747-400 will fly this route, thereby meaning more seats without the need for more frequencies to what is already one of the world's busiest airports."

Singapore Airlines take delivery of second A380

Singapore Airlines has added another A380 to its collection. The Superjumbo was handed over in Toulouse on Friday 11th January. This is the second that the airline now possess.

This one is also the same as the first with the capacity of seating 471 configurated in a three class layout.

This Superjumbo will allow for more cabin training and will allow rotation on the Sydney route with the first.

The airline will be given a third Airbus in February and will be operating between Singapore and London Heathrow.

Singapore are the only airline operating the A380 at present and has another 17 on order.

A380 grounded after rolling off runway

The newly flying Singapore Airlines A380 has been grounded after a tow truck towing it came away and the aircraft rolled onto grass next to the runway.

The jet was bound for Sydney and passengers had to be asked to leave the plane so that it could be inspected for damage.

The passengers boarded a 747-400 to depart for Sydney.

A spokesman said that the tow truck being used developed some sort of failure which resulted in it becoming detatched from the aircraft.

'As a consequence of the failure on the truck, the aircraft ... came into contact with the grass verge off the airport tarmac. The aircraft was not under its own power at the time. It is too early at this time to know the cause of the incident but Singapore Airlines will investigate this quickly, and is filing reports with the appropriate Singapore authorities,' the spokesman said.

Malaysia Airlines close to buying up to 8 superjumbos

Airbus are looking at a record year for aircraft orders as they are currently in talks with Malaysia Airlines to sell more A380 jets to them.

MAS, Malaysia's biggest carrier are near to confirming 6 A380s with the possibility of an extra 2 within months. However with Airbus looking more towards making profit on the superjumbos in the Far East, MAS may still struggle to fill the aircraft if air travel numbers decrease.

``The purchase of A380s is quite risky,'' said Hanafi, who has an ``outperform'' rating on Malaysian Air shares at Alliance Research Sdn. in Kuala Lumpur. ``You do need a few A380s, but to expand to a larger fleet, Malaysian Air would be better off buying Boeings'' because it has predominately Boeing Co. fleet.

Malaysia Air despite being on target to exceed 500 million ringgit for next year are still behind Singapore Airlines with regards ordering more aircraft. If they do complete an agreement with Airbus they'll be able to introduce more routes.

The delivery of the A380 scheduled for 2009 could be delayed even longer than that.

``We are working with them on when they would like to have the first one delivered,'' Leahy said.

A compensation settlement won't be seeked until other airlines have completed their negotiations and the Malaysia Air will take a 'pointer' from that.

Singapore Airlines ban sex onboard A380!!

Singapore Airlines have put a ban on couples having sex on the A380!

Those hoping to make use of the first 'inflight' double bed will be disappointed.

"There are things that are acceptable on an aircraft and things that aren’t, and the rules for behaviour in our double beds are the same ones that apply throughout the aircraft,” said Singapore Airlines spokesman Stephen Forshaw.

"If couples used our double beds to engage in inappropriate activity, we would politely ask them to desist.”

However there may be some hope. The double suites do have closing doors so crew aren't going to know any different!!

Singapore Airlines finally get their A380

The eagerly awaited Airbus A380 has finally been delivered to Singaopre Airlines 18 months behind schedule.

Thomas Enders the chief executive described the delivery of the world's largest passenger jet as "the latest milestone in a long journey".

Five hundred people gathered at Toulouse to watch the exchange of the aircraft and it will be flown to Singapore on Wednesday.

The aircraft will experience its first flight from Singapore to Sydney on 25th October.

"I realise how unsettling recent times, particularly the last 18 months, have been, but that only serves to make this achievement all the more impressive," Mr Enders told Airbus employees at the ceremony.

Airbus have said they don't predict anymore delays with the delivery of the aircraft on other orders and should exchange hands as planned in 2008.

"It is something to celebrate when you launch a new airplane and get it turned over to a client," said John Nance, a US aviation analyst.

"But this has been a very difficult delivery and the troubles will resonate for some time. I am sure she will fly well and it is a magnificent achievement but I think it is a white elephant."

First delivery of A380 to Singapore Airlines set to take place next week.

The Airbus A380 was taking part in a test flight and landed in the capital of the Philippines on Thursday.

The aircraft flew from Melbourne to Manila International Airport and managed to land without any problems despite its size.

The flight was part of the many tests to show it could "fit in today's airport infrastructure," without having to adjust anything.

Airbus A380 is now the world's largest passenger jet and has the capacity to carry up to 850 people.

The first delivery to Singapore Airlines is set to take place next week.

Singapore Airlines set to buy China Eastern

Top Chinese carrier China Eastern is set to be purchased by Singapore Airlines in a US$918mil deal.

The plan was approved by the Chinese government last month after talks which lasted a year.

SIA the world's second biggest airline will be able to compete with Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways better which owns over 17% of the flag carrier Air China.

“This is not a one-off financial investment – it's a strategic move for Singapore Airlines,” SIA chairman Stephen Lee said.

Singapore Airlines announce date of maiden A380 flight

Singapore Airlines will launch its A380 maiden flight on October 25th.

The biggest passenger plane has been long awaited for after an 18 month delay. The first flight will be a long haul journey from Singapore to Sydney.

“Everyone at Singapore Airlines is keenly anticipating the delivery of this new plane,” said Singapore Airlines chief executive Chew Choon Seng. “The first flight promises to be one of the most exciting occasions in aviation history.”

Tickets for the flight will be up for sale by auction on eBay with all money from the sales being donated to charity.

SIA have stated that the first A380 will be configured to allow seating for 471 passengers over 3 classes including the new Singapore Airlines Suites being the most luxurious aspect. The plane will be delivered on October 15th after a special ceremony in Toulouse.

The Super Jumbo is said to facilitate the latest engine and cabin technology, which aims to reduce noise pollution for both those onboard, and people living near the runways.

This A380 is the first from a total order of 19.

Singapore Airlines preparing for A380 flight

The new Airbus A380 arrived at Singapore’s Changi Airport on Thursday for the airport to run trials such as safety, passenger disembarkation, catering etc.

The Jumbo will leave on Tuesday after enduring many trials.

The largest passenger airliner in the world has so far received 154 orders. SIA will be the first airline to fly the plane and already has 10 on order with the option of purchasing another 6.

October 2007 will be the maiden flight from Singapore to Sydney and preparations are already taking place.

The flight date has yet to be confirmed after Airbus gives the final delivery date in October.

All proceeds from the first flight ticket sales will be donated to charity.

2 Singapore Airlines aircraft involved in small bump.

It seems planes are hitting each other all over the place!!

At Changi Airport in Singapore two Singapore Airlines knocked into the other with the wings whilst preparing for take off.

There were no injuries.

Stephen Forshaw the company spokesman said "It is reported that the wingtips of two aircraft came into contact while both aircraft were taxiing at low speed”.

The incident occurred yesterday morning and both Boeing 777 only suffered minor damage. Passengers were on their way to Rome and Copenhagen and were later transferred onto other flights.

Forshaw later said that an investigation was getting under way with the help from both pilots. The airline would give no information on the number of passengers onboard when the accident happened.

Korean Air come top with Malaysia & Singapore Airlines close behind

The World Airline Awards have been taking place with many categories that airlines can win. For the world’s Best Economy Class the winner has been announced as Korean Air. They have also been recognised as one of the five top airlines with Best In-flight Entertainment.

All the seats are fully equipped with a monitor and the seats have more space in-between them for more comfort.

Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines were runners up coming second and third.

These awards are very well recognised across the world that take into account passenger opinions.