A380 models CX wants

Which A380 models does CX want? How do they plan on using them? How many of each model?

CX said that they buy A380 if Airbus either stretches the plane or increases the MTOW for a longer range.

Those are very different planes! So logically, CX would buy both if Airbus were to produce both.

Increasing MTOW? 380-841 has MTOW of 569 tons. Increasing it to 590 tons is trivial because the plane is already desingned for 590 t 380F model – a little reinforcement, possibly add the four missing brakes, releasing paper derate of engines, add tanks and 380-800R is done.

If you want a range which is so extremely long, passengers get tired even in A380. So you want to give them more space – that means fewer seats, less payload, more fuel and longer range again.

SQ had 471 seats on A380-800. QF feels 450 is enough. How many seats would CX put on A380-800R? (I would offer about 410…) And what would the range be? What destinations?

Now, the other alternative. Stretching.

If you stretch A380-800 to the -900 length, which is by 6,8 m to 79,8 m, and do NOT add any MTOW, your OEW grows (of course). Your MTOW might actually decrease – stretch means you lose some rotation angle, and therefore some maximum lift coefficient.

How long would the range of a fully loaded A380-900 be, assuming no MTOW boost?

Which CX destinations have sufficiently short range and huge demand for A380-900SR services?

How many seats would CX put in on the short-range services? (My guess would be about 710.) Maximum on 380-800 is 853, but this is without any regional business class, and CX would have at least some. The maximum on A380-900 depends on whether it would have sixth lower deck doors…

CX has a 777-300ER with long range and limited seating – 301 seats, including 6 new first class, 57 new business class and 238 coach seats. CX also has 777-300 non-ER, with 385 seats in exact same space – no first class, 59 Business and 326 economy class.

So, could CX also use both a short-range, high-density A380-900 and long-range low-density 380-800R?