AmyHuang
Flying on the A380
* Post written on 25th November *
I have never been good with flights, no matter how much I have travelled. Standing in line I watch the ground crew load in luggage after luggage, I start to get nervous at the sight of the world's largest aircraft. Is that thing really going to fly?
I am on board the new Singapore airline's A380, launched commercially only a month ago. After I found out I would be on board this flight, for it wasn't intended at the time of booking, I immediately went online to do a little bit of research.
The Singapore airline web-site (link above) has a model video introducing its new features. I learnt that not only can the A 380 take more people than ever, capable of carrying more than 850 people and designed to seat 471 passengers, it will also fly faster and will be a lot more comfortable. In the video every thing looked so large, so comfortable that I was long anticipating this flight.
At the time of boarding, I must admit I was slightly disappointed that the seating in the economy class looked exactly the same as any other. “What did you really expect,” I thought to myself, “leather couches and an on-board snooker table?” I was, after all, still in economy class...”. I suppose I should let go of images of the first class suites, with individual cabins and fold down beds and a wide screen TV.
Maybe next time.
The extremely clean and bright interior however, did slightly lift my spirits and as I sat down seat 51D and comfortably settled into my space for the next 8 hours, I have completely withdrawn any doubts from the beginning.
There is leg room. Thank god.
The seating, although almost identical to any aircraft seating, are slightly more apart than others, meaning my knees didn't touch the back pockets of the front seat. A good size screen accompanied by various on-demand entertainment and applications. I noticed the USB and ethernet port on the side of the screens and the inner nerd in me screamed 'sweet!'. I immediately got to work... where did you think I am typing this from? With the little keyboard on the retractable games console, in perhaps not the best ergonomic situation, I write this little report to you, 40,000ft in the air. As for the ethernet port? “That's for the future.” the steward told me, as he served me the hot towel to refresh myself.
The toilet, although no different in size, streams classical music out of its speakers. The oversized mirror is lined with white lights, almost give the impression of a backstage dressing room. The tap even lets you adjust the water temperature. Fancy.
My verdict? It is indeed more comfortable but to complete the experience, I am going to have to try score myself a trip in the first class someday!
I have never been good with flights, no matter how much I have travelled. Standing in line I watch the ground crew load in luggage after luggage, I start to get nervous at the sight of the world's largest aircraft. Is that thing really going to fly?
Boarding the A380
I am on board the new Singapore airline's A380, launched commercially only a month ago. After I found out I would be on board this flight, for it wasn't intended at the time of booking, I immediately went online to do a little bit of research.
The Singapore airline web-site (link above) has a model video introducing its new features. I learnt that not only can the A 380 take more people than ever, capable of carrying more than 850 people and designed to seat 471 passengers, it will also fly faster and will be a lot more comfortable. In the video every thing looked so large, so comfortable that I was long anticipating this flight.
A380 Interior
At the time of boarding, I must admit I was slightly disappointed that the seating in the economy class looked exactly the same as any other. “What did you really expect,” I thought to myself, “leather couches and an on-board snooker table?” I was, after all, still in economy class...”. I suppose I should let go of images of the first class suites, with individual cabins and fold down beds and a wide screen TV.
Maybe next time.
The extremely clean and bright interior however, did slightly lift my spirits and as I sat down seat 51D and comfortably settled into my space for the next 8 hours, I have completely withdrawn any doubts from the beginning.
There is leg room. Thank god.
The seating, although almost identical to any aircraft seating, are slightly more apart than others, meaning my knees didn't touch the back pockets of the front seat. A good size screen accompanied by various on-demand entertainment and applications. I noticed the USB and ethernet port on the side of the screens and the inner nerd in me screamed 'sweet!'. I immediately got to work... where did you think I am typing this from? With the little keyboard on the retractable games console, in perhaps not the best ergonomic situation, I write this little report to you, 40,000ft in the air. As for the ethernet port? “That's for the future.” the steward told me, as he served me the hot towel to refresh myself.
The toilet, although no different in size, streams classical music out of its speakers. The oversized mirror is lined with white lights, almost give the impression of a backstage dressing room. The tap even lets you adjust the water temperature. Fancy.
A380 models on sale at the airport shops
My verdict? It is indeed more comfortable but to complete the experience, I am going to have to try score myself a trip in the first class someday!
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