A380 versus B777 comparison (from an airline POV re ROI)

[The Rok]

Straitman, where did those numbers come from? How reliable are they?

It illustrates the 777 is a very very good aircraft. A comparo might show how much QF really should have gone for 777s instead of the 744ERs back in the early 2000s.

The 380 seems to fill a role at slot restricted airports where the seat count is required, but the economics of an aircraft that size seem to favour medium haul to high capacity requiring airports (LHR anyone?).

It seems QF could have gone for a 380 fleet of a dozen for LHR routes, and another 10-12 777s for lax and other routes.

Interesting numbers. Wonder if similar numbers will come out of LHR once the 748 comes on stream?

What are the loadings like on the A380 to LAX? Is it not full all the time?

 

[straitman]

LHR and LAX are easily serviced and best suited to the A380. I am of course talking about QF and JQ.

IF the numbers as quoted are correct I have to ask how you come to that conclusion :?:

 

[The Rok]

IF the numbers as quoted are correct I have to ask how you come to that conclusion :?:

It was based on an assumption that these routes were the highest loading for all QFi routes. Don't know if that is true or not, hence the reason for my follow up question about loadings. And in addition the availability of slots at LHR.

 

[markis10]

Up until the last few years I believe LAX was high yielding, however its certainly suffered from the increased competition from what I have heard, with most averaging 80% at best across the various airlines, I would not be surprised if VA move their capacity to BNE and allow Delta to take over MEL!

 

[The Rok]

Up until the last few years I believe LAX was high yielding, however its certainly suffered from the increased competition from what I have heard, with most averaging 80% at best across the various airlines, I would not be surprised if VA move their capacity to BNE and allow Delta to take over MEL!

I really hope VA don't do that. I won't fly Delta over VA and don't fancy doing PER-BNE-LAX.

Any idea what the loadings are like for QF to LAX up the front in the premium cabins? I guess that's what pays the bills.

 

[D747]

Not sure where your information is coming from but it is in error, Sydney has three new airlines starting, Perth has a few new middle eastern airlines starting as well!

Sorry markis, but these are mere drops in the vast ocean of world aviation. PER is lucky to have more than 2 aircraft at the international terminal at any given time (it has 5 air bridges) and SYD has a finite number of slots due to the current political situation (which is a whole different show). So the SYD terminals can be re-shuffled as often as the deck chairs on the Titanic were, but the end result will be the same: i.e. a very poor travel experience.

 

[markis10]

Sorry markis, but these are mere drops in the vast ocean of world aviation. PER is lucky to have more than 2 aircraft at the international terminal at any given time (it has 5 air bridges) and SYD has a finite number of slots due to the current political situation (which is a whole different show). So the SYD terminals can be re-shuffled as often as the deck chairs on the Titanic were, but the end result will be the same: i.e. a very poor travel experience.

I beg to differ, after all SYD to MEL is on the list of busiest air routes in the world ( number 4 by cap), and when we look at the local biggies, they are all expanding, as far as airports I don't know of one that's at capacity! Singapore has added runways, as has HKG, and SYD has at least 50 slots a day still available, that's a lot of 777s, even if the regionals stay which is unlikely, if we factor the corporates into the mix there is even more room! And I would not judge an airport by its aero bridges, have you looked at the number of stand off bays PER has, 10+ that can handle B777s etc!

 

[infinity]

Lots of good chatter here (more technical though than customer feedback).

As a customer, I prefer the A380 over 777 any day!!

Have done many 777 flights (PVG to ORD) the other day.
y
If you are in F or J, then the A380 is a winner hands down, no matter who is fling them

I leave my Bose NCH's (Q15s) at home when on A380

Less Jet lag by a long way.

So I guess I will just seek the A380 out for my flights as long as someone can afford to still fly the planes!!

 

[Major]

I beg to differ, after all SYD to MEL is on the list of busiest air routes in the world ( number 4 by cap), and when we look at the local biggies, they are all expanding, as far as airports I don't know of one that's at capacity! Singapore has added runways, as has HKG, and SYD has at least 50 slots a day still available, that's a lot of 777s, even if the regionals stay which is unlikely, if we factor the corporates into the mix there is even more room! And I would not judge an airport by its aero bridges, have you looked at the number of stand off bays PER has, 10+ that can handle B777s etc!

Also the parallel runway for BNE to be completed by 2020

Brisbane Airport - New Parallel Runway Project

 

[D747]

A380 versus B777 comparison

Okay,

MEL-LAX 6883nm, A380, end of flight=happy Y pax, would fly again.
MEL-DXB 6283nm, B777, end of flight=unhappy Y pax, never again. :evil:

End of story.

 

[cove]

The promised 20 per cent fuel saving with the A380 does not appear to be anything more than fiction.
So Qantas deferring A380 deliveries is making a whole lot of sense now as they can wait for Airbus to produce the promised product economies.

 

[travelislife]

Okay,

MEL-LAX 6883nm, A380, end of flight=happy Y pax, would fly again.
MEL-DXB 6283nm, B777, end of flight=unhappy Y pax, never again. :evil:

End of story.

But is your experience here based on the airline you were flying (EK with 3-4-3) and their configuration rather than the aircraft itself? I ask this as I flew VA (3-3-3) to LAX on the 777 in Y and felt great after the flight.

 

[The Rok]

Okay,

MEL-LAX 6883nm, A380, end of flight=happy Y pax, would fly again.
MEL-DXB 6283nm, B777, end of flight=unhappy Y pax, never again. :evil:

End of story.

Was this specifically the fault of the aircraft or the circumstances onboard the aircraft?

 

[D747]

But is your experience here based on the airline you were flying (EK with 3-4-3) and their configuration rather than the aircraft itself? I ask this as I flew VA (3-3-3) to LAX on the 777 in Y and felt great after the flight.

Hi travelislife,

I know what you're saying, but the lower cabin alt and noise and the extra inch or 2 of seat space make the long trips less fatiguing.
As a direct Y comparison: QF B747 and QF A380, same leg, MEL-LAX, much prefered the A380 in terms of how I felt on arrival. To me it's the overall experience that matters, particularly in Y. I am actually looking forward to the 787!
The few times I have been in the pointy end, well it's the pointy end so who cares what is happening in Y, who cares what type of aircraft it is, just pour me another very nice alcoholic beverage and pass the cheese plate!

 

[infinity]

But is your experience here based on the airline you were flying (EK with 3-4-3) and their configuration rather than the aircraft itself? I ask this as I flew VA (3-3-3) to LAX on the 777 in Y and felt great after the flight.

I did PVG/ORD on AA on 777 3 weeks ago in F class then last week on VA 777 LAX /SYD in J.

Last A380 was in October but going to do SYD/LAX on A380 early Feb in F and cant wait

SYD/NRT next week on JAL (777 I believe) in J.

Either way, whether F,J or Y class.

I would perfer the A380 anyday over even a new 777

Airline/IFE/Crew/Class/Food all matter, but at the end of the day, what "car' would you perfer to fly in??J
A380 please. just hope they are safe (fingers crossed)!!

 

[The Rok]

Personally I don't think they are a fair comparison. The 747 and the 380 yes, but not a 777. It is a totally different aircraft.

Like Comparing a Mercedes S350 with an Audi Q7. Both different cars for different purposes.

I can't say I dislike the A380, B777 or the B747.

 

[D747]

Was this specifically the fault of the aircraft or the circumstances onboard the aircraft?

Rok, see my next post for some of the answer. The other points are; no real negative circumstances on the MEL-DXB flight, just less room and I really find the B777 very boring, loud and bland. It lacks character.
As for EK, I have flown them many times, on other types, and they are very good IMHO. Have also flown on A330 with EY and KE and the 2-4-2 config in Y works so much better for that type. Actually, KE were outstanding!

 

[The Rok]

Rok, see my next post for some of the answer. The other points are; no real negative circumstances on the MEL-DXB flight, just less room and I really find the B777 very boring, loud and bland. It lacks character.
As for EK, I have flown them many times, on other types, and they are very good IMHO. Have also flown on A330 with EY and KE and the 2-4-2 config in Y works so much better for that type. Actually, KE were outstanding!

Well I guess thats a fair opinion then.

 

[infinity]

Personally I don't think they are a fair comparison. The 747 and the 380 yes, but not a 777. It is a totally different aircraft.

Like Comparing a Mercedes S350 with an Audi Q7. Both different cars for different purposes.

I can't say I dislike the A380, B777 or the B747.

Long haul. we generaly either get 777,747, A340-600 or A380, so I see all these as appropriate to compare from all carriers.

It makes a difference to me when I book. yesterday booked SYD/BKK in May of QF f class on 747. The old seats and IFE I know, but will get F lounge that makes abig differnce to the start of the trip compared to Thai.

Will do some more work on Thai F class and may switch but QF 747 or Thai 747 on that route for now.

Like feedback though

 

[dajop]

But is your experience here based on the airline you were flying (EK with 3-4-3) and their configuration rather than the aircraft itself? I ask this as I flew VA (3-3-3) to LAX on the 777 in Y and felt great after the flight.

Yep the 3-4-3 on EK is unpleasant. My closest comparison was SIN-LHR in Y 77W and A380. Both day flights. I found both fine, and differences were marginal.