Airbus is offering high density seating configuration for its A380 jumbo, to make the four engined double decker beast more attractive...
Airbus is offering high density seating configuration for its A380 jumbo, to make the four engined double decker beast more attractive to airlines and reduce operating cost.
Airbus A380 operators will have the choice of operating the aircraft with a 11-abreast economy seating layout on the main deck, still retaining the 18 inch industry standard seats.
Airbus hopes to sell a few more A380s by promising lower seat mile costs with this 3-5-3 seating configuration, as the present orders will dry up by 2017.
“We’re matching this trend by developing an 11-abreast economy main deck layout, retaining our 18-inch seat comfort standard,” said Frank Vermeire, the Head of A380 Marketing at Airbus.
“By combining the move from 10 to 11 abreast in economy, and the addition of a premium economy class, we can stay at an equivalent seat count. The increase in yield adds about 13 million dollars a year in revenue.”
Two seat manufacturers, Zodiac and Geven, have agreed to deliver the seats for the configuration, which are to be installed on the existing rails so that no extra floor work is needed.
Moreover, the overhead bins will be moved slightly outboard for easier access, which will be harder to reach from the aisle.
Airbus says the sidewall lining can be rotated to gain a .85 inch of additional space at arm rest level, as well as to expand legroom by 1.5 inches. This set-up offers the same economy standards as all other Airbus jetliners.
Furthermore, seat numbers can be increased by combining the lower deck flight and cabin crew rests and deleting the upper deck sidewall stowage. New lie-flat beds can then be pivoted and moved closer together, making space for 10 additional business seats.
Work on relocating the crew rest from behind the cockpit to the lower deck, in order to add six premium economy seats, is ongoing and will be offered to customers beginning in mid-2016.
Vermeire added that such cabin modifications/enhancements (called enablers) are very attractive to customers due to their impact on profitability.
“Generally a 1 per cent cost reduction leads to 2 per cent profitability, but for revenue the leverage is much greater at 1 per cent to 4 per cent,” he explained.
"Reducing fuel burn can require significant investment, but that required for cabin enablers is smaller and the revenue payback is large".
"Premium economy, together with the cabin enablers, delivers 20 million dollars a year of additional profit for airlines – to match that through fuel burn you’d need a 50 per cent improvement."
Putting the benefits aside, the main drawback sited is reduced passenger comfort. With the 11 abreast configuration, the window seat will become uncomfortable for a long journey with reduced leg room, due to the inward fuselage bulge, requiring the passenger to keep the leg crossed.
Excluding the Emirates, the largest operator of A380, almost every airline is having trouble in flying A380 in the intended capacity. The seating layout will only work if the airlines can fill the seats.
Even though Airbus announced the A380 program will break even in 2015, the program is considered a failure, since it could only attract 318 orders, against the 1200 expected by Airbus. The aircraft became expensive to operate with the advent of more efficient twin engined Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 XWB new generation jetliners.
Airbus is also considering a neo (new engine option) variant for the jumbo, like its A320 and A330 jetliners, to drive in more sales.
