Two sides to everything

While Customer Relations has received mostly positive feedback concerning passenger expectations of the A380, there have been a handful of skeptics who declared to us that they will never fly such a large plane. Some think that its size and majesty is just too showy, and others simply fear the worst case scenario.

Being an American and watching the news gives me a small scared streak too. But having loved every flight since my first at age 10, I know that if I ever get the chance to go on board this plane I must take it.

To detractors I would also point out that it was Lufthansa crew who successfully evacuated over 500 passengers in under 90 seconds during safety tests with Airbus. That fact plus the obsessive commitment to safety and maintenance that I have seen firsthand on many occasions gives me full confidence on any flight my colleagues operate.

Update: Lufthansa crew actually completed this test at full capacity, that is to say with 853 passengers on board!

What do you think?

National coverage tomorrow on Today

I just saw a commercial for the Today Show which will air a profile of the A380 tomorrow morning before its arrival stateside. I checked their website and couldn't find anything posted there yet, not even a preview of tomorrow's coverage...

My husband reminded me that the media will of course be there. That means I might spot some people in person that I have only ever seen on TV!

I wonder if Matt Lauer will sign my blog? :)

Real tests or just a PR campaign

Last year we saw Airbus' technical route proving program with several trips across the world but not to the US. The commercial route proving program we are facing in the next days is an important test and development step. Airbus and Lufthansa conduct this program jointly to simulate realistic conditions and gain knowledge that will smooth the introduction of the new aircraft by airlines.

After almost a year of negative publicity around the Airbus A380 program, I have the impression that this route proving program boosts the project again at least as regards Lufthansa employees ;). More than 13,000 participated in an internal sweepstakes for free tickets on one of the test flights. So I guess the flights are beyond all the tests a PR campaign particularly here in the USA.

Airbus even launched a new microsite to inform the public about the route proving program. Let's see whether it will really feature comments of passengers.. as announced in the 'share'-section.

HowStuffWorks: A380 profile

Discovered a fantastically in-depth article about the A380, including one of the most fascinating aspects: how the plane is built. I recall seeing a documentary on this as well, chronicling the slow-moving truck convoy of aircraft parts which pass through a sleepy French town at about two a.m.

Associated Press: LH to operate first A380 transatlantic flight

This article mentions that the A380's wingspan is wider than a football field is long (the actual wingspan is 261 feet, 10 inches). Still, that's just 40 feet shy of field length 300 feet ... as a huge fan of American football I simply can't wrap my brain around the size of this plane!

More photos

Found these links to some exterior photos and some interior photos in the FlyerTalk Lufthansa forum.

Butterflies starting

I lay awake in bed last night, thinking about the events next week, about the aircraft, the security, the scores of people who are eager just to catch a glimpse. And I got suddenly nervous - afraid that someone will ask me a question I can't answer or that I won't do something right. So when I finally managed to fall asleep I spent most of the night trapped in a terrible dream: I had half an hour to report to the terminal Monday morning, and I did not own any navy blue slacks.

Those of us working the event for Lufthansa have already received navy blue A380 polo shirts which we are to wear with navy slacks. In my dream, I raced from store to store in the nearest mall, throwing things off the shelves in desperation, and no store I could find had a plain pair of navy slacks. It felt like the longest dream ever.

The smell of my husband's pancakes thankfully woke me, but not before the feeling of terror disappeared completely.

ETA

According to a press release of Lufthansa, the A380 will depart Frankfurt at around 9.00 am on Monday. That means we could expect its arrival at around 11.45 am to 12.30 pm at New York's JFK airport. After unloading passengers and some ground tests the plane will be brought to a hangar for a viewing event.