The Australian
Industrial designer Marc Newson has spent more than two years on a once in a lifetime brief to make Qantas’s new double-decker A380s into the BMWs of the skies.
From economy class seats designed by German manufacturer Recaro to sophisticated new mood lighting and proprietary latches, nothing in the giant aircraft’s three cabins has escaped Newson’s attention.
He believes the concept he has developed for the aircraft and its associated lounges will leave its competitors in the slipstream.
“There’s absolutely no question in my mind that in terms of design and in terms of functionality we will be No1,” the Paris-based Australian designer says.
“It’s beyond a shadow of a doubt and it will take a long time for people to catch up.”
Brave words for somebody pitted against the likes of Singapore Airlines in what is emerging as an intense battle to use the A380s to set new standards for airline cabins.
But Newson, who is also responsible for the award-winning Qantas Skybed, believes no other carrier is paying the same attention to detail.
He believes most existing airline cabins look like ill-fitting afterthoughts because that’s exactly what they are, with most of them modified several times since the aircraft went into service.
In the case of the A380, however, nothing will be retrofitted, and everything from door handles to curtain recesses is being designed from scratch so that it matches the overall theme.
“I think for me the most important thing is just having the opportunity to be involved in the design of an entire aircraft from go to whoa and being able to deal with all the niggling issues you always wanted to have a go at,” he says.
Qantas is still keeping details of its new cabins under wraps until some of its competitors lock in their cabin designs.
But an exclusive peek by The Australian at computer-generated images of some sections of the aircraft suggests the Flying Kangaroo is set to keep its promise of a “wow factor”, with more space and comfort for everyone.
All three cabins will have social zones, where passengers can grab a drink and socialise, with significant space dedicated to those in the premium cabins.
The in-flight entertainment system will offer everybody bigger screens, video on demand, internet access, sophisticated computer games and the ability to build music play lists.
Upgraded first class and business class seats will offer more space, more functions and a new type of control system.
The good news for economy passengers is a promise that the new Recaro seats will offer more space, shared laptop power points and “a quantum leap in functionality”.
“We’re going in a direction you won’t have seen in terms of what the seat does ergonomically,” Newson says.
Nor will the design stop at the aircraft door: Qantas is planning big things to make its airport lounges match not only the A380’s styling but its imposing scale.
“In the back of our minds we know there’s going to be several bloody great A380s parked out the front and there’s going to have to be something equally impressive that you’re going from before you get on this fantastic new aircraft,” Newson says. “And it’s going to have to be able to live up to the same expectations.
“The other thing is when you land and you taxi up, if we can do what we want to it will be very impressive.”
Qantas is hoping the new design and its extensive use of leading brand names will project an image of the airline and Australia as sophisticated, modern and stylish.
“If you had to pick two words here for Marc’s effort, I think ‘style’ and ‘quality’ jump out,” says Qantas Airlines executive general manager John Borghetti.
“No matter whether you’re in an economy seat or first class, the quality will be unsurpassed. It will be like sitting in a BMW instead of a Holden.”
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:54
What is grace to an accountant? :rolleyes:
I really think Boeing should be offering different engine choices…would really open the aircraft to more airlines. Likewise, if Airbus offered different engines choices on the A340-500/-600 – perhaps more orders! Not everyone wants Rolls-Royce, not everyone wants General-Electric… 🙂
But no one wants PW
LOL
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:54
What is grace to an accountant? :rolleyes:
I really think Boeing should be offering different engine choices…would really open the aircraft to more airlines. Likewise, if Airbus offered different engines choices on the A340-500/-600 – perhaps more orders! Not everyone wants Rolls-Royce, not everyone wants General-Electric… 🙂
But no one wants PW
LOL
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:27
And i suppose the 777-200LR is then? :p :p :p
did I say it was? no.
Mind you, the 777 does have more grace, IMHO
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:27
And i suppose the 777-200LR is then? :p :p :p
did I say it was? no.
Mind you, the 777 does have more grace, IMHO
By: andrewm - 9th March 2005 at 12:26
Bentley’s are elegant, sophisticated and out of reach from the masses.
Clearly the a380 is not. 😉
And i suppose the 777-200LR is then? :p :p :p
By: andrewm - 9th March 2005 at 12:26
Bentley’s are elegant, sophisticated and out of reach from the masses.
Clearly the a380 is not. 😉
And i suppose the 777-200LR is then? :p :p :p
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:24
Bentley of the skies sounds much better. Mercades Benz doesnt have the same ring as Bentley.
Perhpas QANTAS want some freebie cars…
Bentley’s are elegant, sophisticated and out of reach from the masses.
Clearly the a380 is not. 😉
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:24
Bentley of the skies sounds much better. Mercades Benz doesnt have the same ring as Bentley.
Perhpas QANTAS want some freebie cars…
Bentley’s are elegant, sophisticated and out of reach from the masses.
Clearly the a380 is not. 😉
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:23
What effect exactly are they aiming the ‘BMW’ part at? I mean, let’s face it – BMW of today doesn’t exactly say “high-quality” as they used to – I hope they aren’t suggesting “Return to Garage of Dianostics”, “Parts falling off”??? lol Those who have experienced newer-BMW’s will know what I’m on about….great mechanical parts though, got to love the engines 😛
he he
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 12:23
What effect exactly are they aiming the ‘BMW’ part at? I mean, let’s face it – BMW of today doesn’t exactly say “high-quality” as they used to – I hope they aren’t suggesting “Return to Garage of Dianostics”, “Parts falling off”??? lol Those who have experienced newer-BMW’s will know what I’m on about….great mechanical parts though, got to love the engines 😛
he he
By: andrewm - 9th March 2005 at 12:23
What effect exactly are they aiming the ‘BMW’ part at? I mean, let’s face it – BMW of today doesn’t exactly say “high-quality” as they used to – I hope they aren’t suggesting “Return to Garage of Dianostics”, “Parts falling off”??? lol Those who have experienced newer-BMW’s will know what I’m on about….great mechanical parts though, got to love the engines 😛
Bentley of the skies sounds much better. Mercades Benz doesnt have the same ring as Bentley.
Perhpas QANTAS want some freebie cars…
By: andrewm - 9th March 2005 at 12:23
What effect exactly are they aiming the ‘BMW’ part at? I mean, let’s face it – BMW of today doesn’t exactly say “high-quality” as they used to – I hope they aren’t suggesting “Return to Garage of Dianostics”, “Parts falling off”??? lol Those who have experienced newer-BMW’s will know what I’m on about….great mechanical parts though, got to love the engines 😛
Bentley of the skies sounds much better. Mercades Benz doesnt have the same ring as Bentley.
Perhpas QANTAS want some freebie cars…
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 01:08
not that my head required knocking, but thanks
By: Bmused55 - 9th March 2005 at 01:08
not that my head required knocking, but thanks
By: Grey Area - 9th March 2005 at 00:05
Consider your heads banged together, gentlemen. 🙂
By: Grey Area - 9th March 2005 at 00:05
Consider your heads banged together, gentlemen. 🙂
By: Grey Area - 8th March 2005 at 20:09
As grey area is so keen to push across… don’t beleive all the hype touted by the manufacturers.
I only say it because it’s true. Don’t believe a word of it! 🙂
By: Grey Area - 8th March 2005 at 20:09
As grey area is so keen to push across… don’t beleive all the hype touted by the manufacturers.
I only say it because it’s true. Don’t believe a word of it! 🙂
By: bring_it_on - 7th March 2005 at 16:55
me2
By: bring_it_on - 7th March 2005 at 16:55
me2
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March 7, 2005 at 8:47 am