was an excellent bit of tv, noticed at the end that at least one major airline is seeking compensation under the terms of its contract due to the late delivery of there order, does anyone know which airlines this is.

Don't know which airlines but apparently the delays are due to the individual airlines design specifications anyway
It was a good programme - the test pilots were a great bunch weren't they? I bet they were so proud to be the first men to take such a magnificent piece of engineering into the sky

I think it most likely is quantas

just got round to watching it last night, what a great bit of tv.... i hope there is a follow up like first flight to first revenue flight..... if only to see how they fixed the landing gear!

That bit with the rolls royce engine was amazing!

That bit with the rolls royce engine was amazing!

The bit with the mystery white mark on the engine was funny "c'est un cack de oiseau"

'Airbus jet delay costs millions'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4433030.stm

I walked over the new airbridge at Gatwick two weeks ago, it's quite long and seems like very long when you have taken too long shopping in the duty free.

A380 will not be able to land at Gatwick at present and it will not fit under the new airbridge at Gatwick North Terminal.

A380 will not be able to land at Gatwick at present and it will not fit under the new airbridge at Gatwick North Terminal.

Thats not much of a problem as none of the major airlines are planning on using the A380 out of Gatwick, only Heathrow.

Darren

Watch an Airbus A380 being constructed in around 7 minutes .... please click here.

David

Fantastic! Thanks for posting the link David

It really is an awesome aircraft.

Pippy

A380 to make Heathrow debut

The world's largest commercial aircraft is due to land at Heathrow for the first time today on a test flight.

Singapore Airlines, launch customer of the massive new Airbus, will be the first carrier to fly the A380 from Heathrow.

SIA takes delivery of the A380 in November and will put the first into commercial service in December, flying between London, Singapore and Sydney. It will operate from a new £105 million Pier 6 at Terminal 3.

While the A380 can accommodate 555 seats in a standard, three-class configuration, the SIA's aircraft will carry less than 480 passengers.

The airline will unveil new cabins later this year, including a first class and business class claimed to be "very different" from the SkySuites and SpaceBeds currently in service.

UK general manager Marvin Tan said: "We congratulate Airbus and BAA on the arrival of the A380 and opening of Pier 6 and look forward to our first commercial flight from London Heathrow. It will mark another milestone for Singapore Airlines as we celebrate 35 years at Heathrow Airport from which we were the first airline to fly non-stop to Singapore in 1989."

With permission from Travelmole

Just watched the Airbus do a low level fly pass at Broughton, I've videoed it but I had to use the zoom so it's a bit shaky, It circled round me at a distance of about 1/2 a mile and I didn't hear the engines at all, it's a massive aircraft but so graceful.

Dave

edited due to Typo's

Oh I wish I'd seen it!
I bet it was an amazing sight!

Pippy

There are pics and video in THIS link.

Also video in THIS link.

Pippy

Has that video been slowed down? I ask because the Aircraft seem to make a very slow touch down and came to a halt so to speak very quickly......not hurtling down the runway like I expected.

I don't think I would want to fly on it. All those passengers.....imagine the queues for the loos And just imagine the queues at Baggage Reclaim. Waiting for your In flight Meal might take forever, and just imagine the chaos when the aircraft has landed.....trying to get to the overhead lockers... its bad enough now.

If the Airlines do not intend to utilise all the seating capacity as I have been reading then why have such a large aircraft in the first place?

I am definately not interested in flying on such an aircraft.

Has that video been slowed down?

I have absolutely no idea.

Pippy

The aircraft was virtually empty so it slowed down very quickly. There was also one hell of a wind at Heathrow yesterday which would affect the approach speed.

There will be plenty of crew on board so in flight serivce will be no worse than a 747. I've been on almost full 747s and never queued for the loo, received my meals of choice and received luggage in quick time.

Can't wait to fly on one.