With the A380 prototype passing through Sydney on its route-proving trials Qantas has revealed more of its future plans for the aircraft
Following the A380 prototype, 18-hour over the Pole, route-proving flight from Johannesburg to Sydney, Qantas has revealed more details of its innovative ideas for the aircraft”s cabin. The airline is due to receive the first of a total of 20 A380s in August 2008, having recently topped up its order in spite of the production problems that have dogged the aircraft.
Qantas is working with internationally recognised Australian designer Marc Newson on interiors for the aircraft. ”The state-of-the-art first, business and economy cabins in our A380s will offer enhanced levels of space and comfort,” Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti said at a briefing after an A380 landed at Sydney en route to completing Airbus” technical route-proving programme for the type. ”The A380 will allow airlines to offer customers new and exciting in-flight products, services and experiences.”
The Qantas A380s were revealed as the latest canvas for London-based Marc Newson”s futuristic but technically rigorous approach to design. In the past he has worked on a wide variety of projects, from furniture to a Dassault Falcon 900B business jet interior and a Ford concept car. The latter, the Ford 021C presented at the 1999 Tokyo Motor Show, may provide some clues to what can be expected in the A380. The seats swivelled on pedestals, the dashboard was jewel-like in its detailing and, when the light was switched on, an electro-luminescent film glowed snowy-white across the ceiling.
Airbus has now completed the A380 route-proving this week, clearing the way for final type certification. The 18-day exercise was designed to show that the aircraft could be turned around in exactly the same way as in-service airliners. Checks at each destination covered maintenance and airport operations such as bridge docking, cleaning and catering, refuelling and boarding. In addition, the A380s automatic landing capability was successfully demonstrated during a local flight at Johannesburg. MSN002 stopped at 10 airports in the Asia-Pacific region and covered 69,000nm in 152 flight hours, with all flights performed on schedule.