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Emirates Airline has taken delivery of its first Airbus A380.
The aircraft is also the first customer A380 powered by Engine Alliance
engines.
Emirates’ first A380 commercial service is
scheduled for 1 August and will operate between Dubai and New
York, USA. Currently Emirates
has 50 Airbus aircraft in its fleet.
“Emirates was quick to recognise the potential of Airbus’ all new A380 design, with its large double-deck capacity and excellent operating
economics. It will be one of the pillars of Emirates’ future,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed
Al-Maktoum. “With its very low fuel burn and quietness, the A380 also sets new
standards in environmental performance. It will definitely help air transportation and Emirates grow, while reducing the impact on the
environment.”
Emirates’
first A380 features 489 seats with 14 in first class suites, 76 in business and 399
in economy. The
airline has also ordered two other versions of the A380 including three-class, 517-seat medium range and 604-seat, two-class medium range.
“Fulfilling the A380 dream has required vision, innovation, a lot of courage and determination. Emirates shared in this vision early on and today
the result is the world’s most modern, innovative and eco-efficient aircraft ever built. The A380 is changing the way people travel. Airbus is proud
of all the engineers, staff and customers such as Emirates who have made the A380 a magnificent reality,” said
Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO.
Emirates is the largest customer for the A380 with 58 aircraft on order. Four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines delivering up to 72,000 lbs of thrust
each will power the aircraft, with a resultant overall fuel efficiency of only three litres of fuel per passenger per 100
kilometres.
To date, total orders and commitments for the A380 stand at 202 aircraft from 17 customers.
Singapore Airlines and, from 1 August 2008, Emirates, are currently the
only two airlines in the world offering commercial Airbus A380 flights.
Prior
to its launch, concepts for the Airbus A380 were lavish to say the
least. In reality though none of the futuristic ideas made their way
onto the planes flying today. That is, until now. Singapore
Airlines redefined First Class with its impressive Suites, and now
Emirates has gone one further and added a shower to the aircraft! First
Class passengers on board Emirates’ A380 will be able to make use of
the Shower Spa to ensure they arrive even more refreshed than would
otherwise be possible. See
also:
Showers,
Bars, Lounge - The Emirates A380 has them All.
See
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