 |
|
 |
|
| The A380 above the clouds... |
|
 |
|
| ...and on the ground. |
|
 |
|
| The upper deck of the A380. |
|
|
|
|
Current status: April 2011
The A380, Lufthansa's new flagship
What is inside this mega liner?
The Airbus A380 has launched a new era in aviation history. But what makes it so special? One thing is plain to see: the A380 is simply huge! But that alone is not enough. The A380 also uses the latest and greatest technology to make flying safer, more comfortable and easier on the environment. In addition, the new plane's enormous size creates new challenges for crew and technology. In this article you will find out more about the history of the A380 and everything it has to offer.
From concept to commercial service
The development of the world's largest commercial aircraft goes all the way back to the 1980s.
Jürgen Thomas, a German aircraft engineer who at the time worked as chief engineer for European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, is considered the "father" of the A380. Lufthansa was and still remains deeply involved in the A380's development, for Airbus had secured support from leading airlines back when the project was still called A3XX. One such airline was Lufthansa, which had already contributed its extensive expertise to numerous other Airbus programs. With the A380, the goal was to increase passenger capacity and simultaneously lower the costs generated by the new aircraft.
Lufthansa's first A380 went into commercial service in June 2010. It took a long time to reach that point - the airline had been preparing for the A380's launch since 2003! All flight routines had to be adapted to the A380's new dimensions. This aircraft has room for over 500 passengers, 40 percent more than in a Boeing 747. While the number of passengers being transported is much higher than before, boarding still has to be completed in the same amount of time as always because specific procedures must be followed at the airport. To manage this, all processes were analyzed, refined to the last details and practiced over and over. In addition, Lufthansa's planners have come up with many new ideas.
Every LH A380 employs as many people as a medium-sized company. There are around 400 jobs in the cockpit, cabin, maintenance, catering, crew assignment and scheduling.
|
|
|
More info |
|
|
|
Related links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
