The world’s largest passenger aircraft may soon be flying on one of the world’s shortest routes between two major cities. Air France is reportedly considering deploying one of its 538-seat Airbus A380 jets on the 215-mile route between London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Why would Air France use the A380 – designed with long-haul flights in mind – on the short hop across the English Channel? To more efficiently train its staff, according to a report in the French Le Figaro newspaper.
“On a long haul flight we can train two staff in 24 hours but on a short haul flight we can do several a day,” an Air France source tells paper, according to The Connexion, a French English-language publication.
Elsewhere, an Air France spokeswoman gives another possible reason to Air Transport Intelligence. That publication writes: “She adds that Paris-London is a busy route and other carriers have shown that they can justify large-capacity aircraft on relatively short, high-density sectors.”
Le Figaro says the Paris-London A380 service would begin June 12, though Air France officials say nothing’s official yet. An airline spokesman tells AFP the idea “is being looked into,” though he adds “nothing has been confirmed.”
Business Traveller magazine says Air France would use the A380 on the route “temporarily,” though the publication suggests it would likely “be a matter of weeks rather than months.”
Source: USA Today
By: J Boyle - 17th May 2010 at 19:26
I wonder if the ground servicing after the flight would take more time than the flight itself. It’s a big aircraft…it will take time to tidy up.
By: T5 - 17th May 2010 at 01:58
Will AF be reducing the amount of normal flights (A319/320) ?
No, all other flights will continue to operate.
As an example, on Monday 14 June, there are nine Air France flights from London to Paris; 1 x A380, 5 x A321, 2 x ATR72 and 1 x A319.
By: UPSMD11f - 16th May 2010 at 23:25
Will AF be reducing the amount of normal flights (A319/320) ?
i’m sure 1 A380 is just as efficient as 3-4 of the smaller machines.
By: gary o - 16th May 2010 at 23:13
A return trip on different days is available for around 79 euro,however aer lingus flights return from CDG are around 250 euro,which sours the plan entirely.I would imagine the take off roll on the A380 to LHR would be quite energetic,i was on one to SIN from LHR and well it tooks its time & rotation was largely unoticeable,i suppose thats what it was meant to do?!:rolleyes:
By: cloud_9 - 16th May 2010 at 21:51
As long as you check-in and print your boarding pass for both flights beforehand, I would think that it is possible…the aircraft will operate in and out of T4, so once you arrive, just follow the purple Flight Connections signs, go through security and then head into the Departure Lounge and on to the gate for the return sector?!
By: Maikel - 16th May 2010 at 14:12
I just have a question guys. I’m planning to book a flight with the return on the same day?
Is that possible regarding the ground time. I can offcourse save time by checking online…..
Is it possible?
By: PMN - 13th May 2010 at 20:28
It’s refined from oil, does that count? 😀
By: Grey Area - 13th May 2010 at 18:23
Is is worthwhile？ I mean A380 is so big. The engines burn more oil landing and taking off.
Crew familiarisation flights would take be taking place anyway, as they always do whenever a major airline introduces a new type to its fleet.
Air France are just taking the opportunity to earn a little extra revenue at the same time, and who can blame them?
I wasn’t aware that Air France were operating the oil-fired variant of the A380, by the way.
By: paulc - 13th May 2010 at 18:07
same here – booked for a weekend in August. The A380 is worthy of praise despite what some people think.
By: EGTC - 13th May 2010 at 17:02
I want to go and see that 🙂
The 12th of june is my birthday also!
By: PMN - 13th May 2010 at 16:42
Of course, but it carries more than twice as many people as an A320 so as long as it doesn’t run half empty then it shouldn’t operate at a loss. Besides, CDG-LHR is about equivalent to a go-around in an aircraft that big! 😀
By: anna.aero - 13th May 2010 at 16:27
Is is worthwhile？ I mean A380 is so big. The engines burn more oil landing and taking off.
By: dan BHX - 13th May 2010 at 15:26
Exactly what I was going to say!
exactly what ive done
By: PMN - 13th May 2010 at 14:45
I suspect there is going to be a huge number of aviation fans booking those flights!
Exactly what I was going to say!
By: Arabella-Cox - 13th May 2010 at 14:30
I’m going to Paris in late July, but on an ATR-72.
I wonder if I could upgrade, though the A380 will hardly have time to get in the air before it has to come down again.
By: Rlangham - 13th May 2010 at 14:09
No mention of training, but rather just to give it something to do rather than sit around at Paris
By: tenthije - 13th May 2010 at 11:05
It is actually quite common to deploy a new type on a short route in order to train the crew. The first few Lufthansa A380 flights will be domestic hops as well. And back when KLM introduced their first 777 it could be seen at LHR a few times as well.
By: Bmused55 - 13th May 2010 at 07:24
Their forums will be swamped with threads praising the A380
By: KabirT - 13th May 2010 at 07:20
half of airliners.net already seems to be booked and ready. 😎
By: Bmused55 - 13th May 2010 at 07:18
I suspect there is going to be a huge number of aviation fans booking those flights!
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May 13, 2010 at 3:45 am