These photos keep coming to my inbox in the form of a 2MB Powerpoint presentation. I would have uploaded them to Picasa, but I felt the captions are important, so to preserve them I exported it to HTML.
As far as I can determine, the photos are credited to Michael Schlicting of United Ground Handling Services. Although he didn't share them with me personally, I am glad he shared them with others in our industry. Thanks, Michael!
Found this video of a beautiful night landing of the A380 at Washington Dulles International earlier this week.
YouTube suggested this video as related to the ones we have been uploading. I have to say that the graphics are quite amazing, very realistic indeed!
Director of Customer Relations and Marketing Marcus Casey provided us with this clip of the A380 safety video, captured during its demo flight over Manhattan on March 21.
Wednesday was a much longer day than Monday. I was invited to an interior tour at Hangar 19 at 13:00 and nearly got lost on the way. Inside the hangar, a loungy tent with sofas, refreshments, and a coat check provided a comfortable spot to mingle among media and Airbus/Lufthansa execs. Many of my colleagues provided support at the affair, checking people in and giving out tour boarding passes.
Tours groups were about seven people in size, and Airbus VP Communications Clay McConnell escorted each group to the aircraft outside. Along the way he gave an informative chat, which included already known facts like the craft's height, wingspan, and engine thrust. However, he also pointed out that the plane is number 007 and that the tailsign ends in "JB" for James Bond. Additionally it can travel at 85% of the speed of sound - very impressive given its rave reviews for operating quietly, inside and out.
Clay explained that this aircraft is designed to test cabin systems, which means that its appointments were not standardized throughout; rather many different cabin options were on display. For instance, in some sections the seating configuration was 3-4-3 like the 747, and in others it was 2-4-2 like the A340. Different sections of the Economy Class cabin boasted varying color schemes and upholstery, and overhead bin sizes varied as well. The Business Class section was on the upper deck, while Lufthansa has already discussed configuring the upper deck for First Class instead.
I enjoyed Clay's introduction so much that after the interior tour, I asked him if he would mind if I recorded it for the blog. He graciously agreed (thanks, Clay :) I will update this post on Monday with the video.
Update: here is the intro video, as promised.
Imagine a cruise ship that flies. A huge wing span. A spacious interior that lets you stand up straight. Wide aisles. Modern everything! But what is truly amazing about the A380 Airbus flight I experienced this morning was the smooth, unbelievably quiet ride. It glided into the air without a ripple or hiccup. There was so much room, people gathered in groups in the aisles of all three classes. The day was perfect to fly because it was so clear and sunny. Some guests were conducting video interviews, others stared at the giant wings, and some tested every possible angle of their seat. One of the funniest moments was seeing a videographer lying flat on his back in a first class seat. The minute we boarded, cameras came out of suit pockets and handbags. Everyone had a look of surprise and delight on their faces, because this was real excitement. A little piece of history in the making. But what I'll never forget was the taxi back to hangar as we passed baggage handlers, security, port authority workers, police. For a minute, they stopped what they were doing to look at this new bird. They waved. They took pictures. And I realized no one is immune to the thrill of seeing something incredible for the first time!
This video clip distills the contents of the two-hour documentary I mentioned earlier into a seven-minute assembly.
One of the coolest things about the A380 that I learned on Monday is the system of three cameras which are attached to the outside of the aircraft. There is a camera on the tail, one under the belly, and a third near the cockpit. The best part is that the camera views are accessible through the inflight entertainment system.
My new friend Kevin Paige recorded this video of the takeoff from Frankfurt on Monday. Even though he didn't have a window seat, he always had a great view.
While working crowd control at the terminal today I met for the first time one of our account managers from Boston, Kevin Paige. We had a long discussion about his experience on board, which he really enjoyed. He also was interviewed by the Early Show when he arrived on Monday and posted the video coverage already.
The arrival of the A380 on Monday, March 19th brought about great excitement to New York. A select few passengers of the A380 flight from Frankfurt were invited to a cocktail reception at the Peninsula Hotel in Manhattan. The invited guests included several VIPs, the press, as well as Airbus and Lufthansa employees. A pianist helped to create a wonderful relaxing atmosphere. It was a perfect way to enjoy the end of an exciting day.
The room quickly filled with conversation where guests exchanged their impressions of the A380. Jens Bischof, Lufthansa Vice President of the Americas, greeted the group and highlighted some information and facts on the “big bird.” Guests then proceeded to enjoy refreshments, delicious food and mini desserts.
The arrival of the A380 has been a success. We expect and look forward to the same rewarding experience in the fall!
Lufthansa is fond of branded goodies, which show up at every event we have ever had. Often they are wearable and sometimes they even have blinky LED lights in them. In the past I have avoided these trinkets, but the transparent planes bearing our logo which were passed out today were attractive even to me.
Apparently Lufthansa ordered 1,000 blinky planes, more than twice the number of passengers on board the A380 today. After five boxes disappeared in the span of about an hour and a half, a colleague and I gave up our own because the Lufthansa crew wanted them too, and we were short a few. My friend Antonia really worked the crowd waiting outside customs, spotting all the children and approaching their parents to tempt them with the toys.
The blinky planes have three settings: steady on, slow blink, and alarming (the latter made my heart race). The still photo just didn't capture the effect, so I also got it on video. (It's the bit that looks like electric jello.)
If I were to compare it to driving, you would think this would be like driving a truck or a bus. It's like driving a Ferrari.
For the moment, the A380 is what passes for a rock star in the aviation business.
-- Frank Jackman, Aviation Week's MRO Blog, passenger on board LH8940/19MAR2007
Dozens of Lufthansa employees donned A380/Lufthansa polo shirts to identify ourselves to the press, Airbus crew, and several large groups of passengers who arrived on the A380's first visit to the US under flight number LH8940 this afternoon. We met these privileged people just outside customs in Terminal One, guiding them to their respective destinations: upstairs to the lounge for the press conference (media and Lufthansa crew of 35), to the charter bus headed straight for the hangar (Airbus crew), to the charter buses headed for the hotels (passengers).
Several reporters were present already, waiting to interview the passengers who experienced the luxury of the A380; by all accounts it is a comfortable cabin, roomy but not huge, which is so quiet you don't even feel like you are airborne. The Lufthansa crew members that I spoke with, including the purser, felt honored to be part of this moment in aviation history.
Wow, and here comes already the first pic of the A380 on its way to JFK. LH employee Heike was up on the roof of the East Meadow building and took this nice shot. Isn't it a real jumbo?
The A380 just flew over the LH building in East Meadow. Wow, this was so exciting! I was not aware that it will fly over our building here in Long Island but then suddenly everyone in the office ran to the window and shouted "the A380, the A380". And there it was, the king of the skies. Ahh, I can't wait to get a close-up on it at the cabin tour.
The Today Show just broadcasted a report (see the video) on todays flight from Frankfurt to New York. One of their reporters is acutally on the plane right now.
According to flightview.com the A380 with the Lufthansa flight number LH8940 took-off in Frankfurt (FRA) at 9.10 am local time and is expected to land at 11.29 am (ET) at JFK. You can track the flight live or read more on the following cnn article.
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?
