Back then, Singapore Airlines had already started retiring some of its As. Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced multiple carriers to begin their withdrawals prematurely. But when will the Airbus A have finally been withdrawn from all its customer airlines? Stay informed: Sign up for our daily aviation news digest.
The Airbus A has not enjoyed the commercial success that the Boeing experienced. This was a significant factor in the cancellation of its production in February Despite this, the type has still seen service with a variety of airlines worldwide. Airbus completed the assembly of the final A fuselage in September this year.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has had significant effects on the entire aviation industry this year. Qantas cancelled its last A order in February, just like Emirates, keeping only 12 jumbo jets. Qatar Airlines, which has ten As in its fleet, has announced it will switch to Boeing Xs from So what went wrong? Bigger planes meant fewer terminal gates would be needed to accommodate more people.
Plus, more seats meant more passengers, which meant lower fares. So even though the superjumbo jets — with their whopping metre wingspans — could only travel between big city hub airports, passengers were willing to deal with a stopover to pay a little less. And once a plane ages, the cabin should be upgraded. Stay informed: Sign up for our daily and weekly aviation news digests. In May, Etihad announced the permanent grounding of its 10 As. The Abu Dhabi-based leadership expressed to Simple Flying that the plane has two engines too many.
Interestingly, Korean Air is merging with compatriot Asiana Airlines. Therefore, the flag carrier of South Korea will have another six As to think about on top of its existing 10 units.
The airline has previously stated that it plans to let go of the model within five years. In May, Malaysia Airlines announced that it was planning to retire its A in the coming months. Thus, in July, six of its units went up for sale. The national carrier of Australia has 12 As in its holdings.
This summer, the carrier noted that the A will fly for many years to come. Qatar Airways announced a surprise return for the A , scheduling it on services before the end of the year. The airline grounded all of its A fleet, and management shared that the plane was a thing of the past and its biggest mistake. Singapore Airlines. The A's first ever commercial voyage back in was via Singapore Airlines, traveling from Singapore to Sydney.
Pre-pandemic, Singapore Airlines had 17 As. They were all grounded when Covid hit, and in November the airline announced plans to cut its superjumbo fleet down to Now Singapore Airlines has revealed plans to return some of its As to the skies. Singapore Airlines told CNN Travel that from November 18, As will be flying one of the airline's three nonstop Singapore to London services, as Singapore introduces quarantine-free travel for certain vaccinated travelers.
Siva Govindasamy, Singapore Airlines' global public affairs head said that Singapore Airlines' recognizes the As enduring appeal for passengers, and that's partly why the airline's returning the aircraft to rotation.
Govindasamy added that it makes economic sense to return the A to the London to Singapore path, as the aircraft's seat density lends itself well to routes where airport slots are limited. The decision is also part of Singapore Airlines' "premium positioning," as Govindasamy puts it. As for reinstating the A for destinations beyond London, Govindasamy said Singapore Airlines is currently considering other routes that could be well served by the superjumbo.
It is believed that this 60 minute flight will be the shortest A passenger flight currently in operation. Nine of Singapore Airlines' As have undergone a refit and three are in the makeover process. Travelers splashing out on first class on the reinstated London to Singapore route will be able to enjoy the airline's swanky suites. Choice route: London to Singapore -- be one of the first to experience the return of Singapore Airlines' As. British Airways. British Airways' As are returning to the skies this year.
The British flag carrier has confirmed the superjumbo will be part of this opening line up , with plans to initially bring back four of its 12 grounded As. Travelers will be able to enjoy the aircraft's comfortable interior en route to Los Angeles and Miami this winter, as well as cruising from London to Dubai come December.
But before the superjumbos ferry British travelers on long-awaited jaunts to the US, they'll first hop across the English Channel on some short-haul flights "to allow for crew familiarization," according to a BA statement. It's not every day you travel from London to Europe on a double-decker plane, so avgeeks will be desperately trying to secure seats on these one-off flights.
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