Airbus A380, Once the Future of Aviation, May Cease Production
I am a frequent business flyer, 10+ per year international long haul from Australia. I appreciate that from a north american perspective the 380 didn't make sense either economically from the economy which bankrolls Boeing, or strategically from the economy which has specific interests in international flights homed out of its east and west coast population centres.<p>I can tell you that for the South Pacific, Japan, India, China the 380 makes perfect sense, and if passenger disposable income choices can direct to 380 flights in preference to current generation 777 and 787, they will. I know, because within limits I can do this, and I do, and almost everyone I know who flies transcontinental at this frequency or better does too.<p>You're mainly discussing supply side logic around wet leasing, dry leasing, models of operation. I am talking about what the consumer side actually wants: In business, its not 11 abreast pack-em-in which is what the 787 has done. Its not the 777 which is a fine beast, but noisy as hell and getting old (refit costs) We love the 380. We prefer to fly the 380. I've flown it on Emirates, Singapore, QANTAS, China Southern and its a premium quality experience. Its worth it.