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Lifehacker
The last bastion of privacy on airplanes is their blanket of white noise, but that may soon vanish: Pilots are complaining that the Airbus A380 jumbo is so quiet, they can't get any rest.
Posted by Nick Broughall at 3:00 PM on November 24, 2008
The Airbus A380 has been flying in and out of Australia for over 12 months now courtesy of Singapore Airlines, but for those of you with a preference for flying Qantas, their first A380 has been flying for a couple of months. Lifehacker Editor and perennial traveller Angus just happened to get a seat on one of the new monstrously large planes on a recent trip to the US, and has reviewed the in-flight entertainment experience in his Road Worrier column.
See that happy-looking lady in the pic? She's standing in an Emirates A380 in-flight shower room, details of which have emerged after we first alerted you to this airborne luxury. The "shower spas" are pretty decently kitted-out, and the aircraft carries an extra 500kg of water to allow every one of the 14 first-class passengers to have a splash. As a result, the shower only runs for five minutes, and there's a traffic-light system to let you know how the time's going. And if you're planning on trying to form a new "mile-high, in the shower" club, you'd better forget it: the showers are small, "designed for single usage."
Starting October 1, if you're flying first class from Dubai to New York on an Emirates Air A380, you'll have the option of grabbing a hot shower midflight. It'll cost you US$18,000, but some showers are worth it, am I right? "No!" say those party poopers in the environmental lobby.
According to Kansas.com, Airbus SAS plans to build a 900-seat version of its famously enormous A380 superjumbo. Currently, the A380 is intended to carry between 500-800 passengers depending on the configuration — although it has held up to 873, on at least one occasion. That could mean that a "stretch" Airbus A380 could be adjusted to hold as many as 1000 passengers depending on the carrier. Airbus will begin developing the larger version after the standard plane reaches full production in 2010. The Arab Emirates, the companies biggest client, has already shown interest saying that they would buy a new model when they become available. [Kansas via Luxist]
The mystery baron who's dropping $475 million on an Airbus A380, the biggest commercial aircraft in existence, has been revealed. It's none other than everyone's favourite member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. Oh Alwaleed, you were always the crazy one in the family! He already owns a 747, so I guess the A380 is what he'll take when he wants to fly somewhere and really make an impression. Oh, and in case you were curious, the average income in Saudi Arabia is $17,000, making this purchase equal to the yearly salaries of 27,941 Saudis. [FlightGlobal (Thanks Jason!)]
The new gigantastic Airbus A380 will not only include a toilet with a view, but now Singapore Airlines has announced their new "super-first-class" private suites will include full-sized double bed with a real mattress and—apparently—tacky rose petals. [Daily Mail]
Forget about its cockpit. At last, the most important detail of the giganormous Airbus A380 has been revealed: it has a window in its bathroom. Expect a surge of helium balloon sales for peeping toms. Full gallery of the cabin after the jump.
Korean Air is also the proud owner of a A380 and has released these pictures, following its inaugural flight. [Aving USA]
The auction for seats on the first Airbus A380's flight starts today: Singapore Airlines will fly it from their home city to Sydney. All profits will be shared between different non-governmental charity organizations, so not only will you have the opportunity to be first to fly the biggest passenger aircraft of all time, you will also help children in the process.
