Airbus A380s Lost Future - What Happened To The Never Built A380 Variants?
Vložit
- čas přidán 6. 07. 2024
- Airbus had big plans for the A380 plane... what happened to the future versions?
We now have a Patreon: / foundandexplained
----
0:00 A380 Introduction
0:41 Base Model A380-800
1:35 A380F
3:17 Private A380
4:34 A380-900
5:01 A380-1000
5:32 A380neo
6:30 A380plus
7:35 Special Message To You
Back in the 90s, Airbus was looking for a new aircraft design for a market of hub to hub travel. They saw that millions of passengers needed to fly between continents and that major hub airports like New York and Heathrow couldn't land more planes per day. So why not go bigger?
The A380 was created to fill this market. Its original proposed configuration was 555 passengers in a three-classes, or if any airline so chose, it could carry 853 passengers in a single-class economy configuration. The design range for the A380−800 model is 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km); capable of flying from Hong Kong to New York or from Sydney to Istanbul non-stop.
The A380 freighter would have had the most extensive internal square space of any flying cargo aircraft, even more than Boeing 747-8F and only outmatched by the single Antonov An-225 Mriya in service. The A380F would be capable of transporting a 150 t (330,000 lb) maximum payload over a 5,600 nautical miles (10,400 km) range.
There was a flaw with the A380F design because the aircraft had a higher empty weight than the Boeing 747, as in without cargo it was heavier, it could carry less. Cargo operators would have run out of engine lifting power before they ran out of space onboard. And that second level's structure wasn't really designed for heavy materials nor did cargo operators have a way to reach the upper level with current ground vehicles.
Ultimately, delays to the A380 passenger program pushed back the A380F, and the 27 orders for the freighter with Emirates, FedEx, ILFC, and UPS were canceled.
Airbus would not give up on the concept and would patent a combi version of the A380 in 2015. This version would offer the flexibility of carrying both passengers and cargo, along with being rapidly reconfigurable, to expand or contract the cargo area and passenger area as needed for a given flight.
There was also a proposed private version of the A380 that was in pre-production and would have been out of this world. It featured a spiral staircase wrapping around a glass lift to reach all three levels, and that also went outside the plane when on the tarmac. It had a garage for two luxury cars, a Turkish bath lined with marble, 20 VIP suites, five master cabins with bathrooms attached, and a concert hall. The plane would have been able to transport 50 passengers to a range of 17,500 km (9,400 nautical miles).
With a price tag of £300 million ($371 million), it actually did have one order in 2007, but for unknown reasons, the plane was shifted the commercial program and given a passenger fitout instead.
With the A380 you might have noticed that the wing seems a little bigger than necessary. This is because the wing of the A380 was designed in mind for future bigger versions of the airframe - an Airbus A380-900.
Compared to the Airbus A380-800, -900 would have had a seating capacity for 650 passengers in standard configuration and for approximately 900 passengers in an economy-only configuration. Airlines interested in this aircraft included Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa.
There were also rumors that Airbus wanted to go bigger and was considering a project called the Airbus A380 stretch, or now known as the A380-1000. It would have carried 1000 passengers in all-economy.
Airbus decided to present a new engine option version of the A380, the A380 neo.
For an airline like Emirates, who operated an entire fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft, these upgrades would have been welcome and had a significant impact on its bottom line.
In 2017, Airbus CEO Fabrice Brégier confirmed that Airbus would not launch an A380neo, stating, "...there is no business case to do that, this is absolutely clear."
The last version of the A380 proposed by Airbus was A380plus, presented to the world at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The A380 plus would offer 13% lower costs per seat with special split scimitar winglets and provide a trade for 50 more seats, or 200 more nautical miles. Its maintenance cycle would be stretched to allow six more days of flying per year, and improvements from the A350 program would have been brought in to reduce weight.
At the end of the day, the A380 never truly realized its dream. Had it been released in the 80s or 90s, perhaps it would hold a place in our skies like the Boeing 747, but today the plane is being scrapped and even the 2nd hand market doesn't exist - with plans of what could have been only existing on paper.
Which aircraft was your favorite in this list? Let me know down in the comments, and if you liked this video today then leave a like and subscribe for more never built aircraft.
Boy I doné goof! - 300 MILLION sterling, not 3000!!!!! Sorry all, Can't believe that one totally shot by me!
damn bogan
We won't hold it against you. This time....
Great videos!
I love the boeing 747-8 intercontinental aircraft
Damn it I was about to trade in my Mazda for an A380!
I can... Whilst your vids are really good, you have some hilarious flubs
Only 3000 pounds sterling? I woulda taken one.
Yep for sure! I can't believe I didn't notice! 2.30am publishing does that to a man! Sorry :)
Gosh what a deal even your local chav or road man why hangs out at McDonald’s could buy one
I'd buy a whole fleet of them!
@@kazansky22 Air Tom💀
The A380F just seems odd but I like the A380-1000. It would be the coolest looking plane. Great video there!
Yes
reminds me of the 707 with the 4 engines and the relatively long fuselage
@British Airways Boeing 747-436 agreed, but you can't tell me that it doesnt look good.
FedEx didn’t think so. They went as far as building two hangars at Memphis International for it. Airbus’s failure to deliver killed the order.
I would've loved to see at least the private a380 and the a380-1000. What a bummer.
Next time I suppose
a380 neo
Beautiful aircraft, sucks it was built way too late
Agree
Thats a great argument. had it been built in 1990 instead of 2001, we might have seen a very different world indeed. That being said, 1990s was the gulf war and not the time for double decker planes!
Found And Explained Indeed, even though I prefer Boeing. I would’ve loved to have seen the A380 have its great years
Its a big whale, whats so beautiful about it? Technological beauty? Yes, but not visually 😂
@@manganvbg90 It's the biggest aircraft, and some people like it. I agree tho I think the design is odd.
favourite variant? For sure the A380-1000. Finally proportions would match. But since it didn't get to be - I stay with my beloved 747-8i. - And don't mind the little discount you gave on the ACJ380. Discounts are an industry standard and you gave many of us a good little laugh/smile. Hang loose!
:) I'm sure if Emirates asked for an A380 for 3k pounds they would have got it!
It is sad to see unique and beautiful airplanes disappear, only to be replaced by generic 2-engines-on-wings designs.
Goodnight sweet prince
I will miss being in the middle of 4 engines in the middle of the ocean
These are fantastic mate, keep up the good work!
I love this planes
Nice job, I will love to build the A380-800
Wonderful as all your videos, do you have by any chance the complete clip or video of the Pan Am 747SP, there.
My favorite was the fancy one. That would’ve been a kick ass airplane.
Imagine the parties you would invite me to!
I love the look of that plane, it’s so round and it just works
Man that’s a depressing video. I love that aircraft so much and always tried to book tickets on it whenever flying to Asia. It’s amazing to think there’s not enough demand for planes to carry so many passengers. Even before the pandemic. Such a shame to see it being phased out already by some airlines. Maybe one day the demand for air travel will increase to such an extent that modern airports need the A380 again.
You make amazing videos and I really think you deserve more support! Thanks!!!
Glad you like them! :) thanks for watching and hope you have seen enough to subscribe :)
0:21 Top 10 moments shot before disaster
Thank you. Love your channel!
Hope you stick around and sub ! :)
The plane is a beautiful plane! It sucks to see it go at a rapid rate!
747 1968-Present, 57 years so far. A380 2007-2020, 13 years. End of story! Sad to see such a great aircraft, the A380 retired far too long before its time
Not many people no a smaller version was also being proposed.i wish I taken a photo of it .
Continue to do such videos. Thanks
The sad thing is many airlines are discontinuing the aircraft and I’d never even flown in one and i know i can’t
You might still be able to. Although production has ceased, it might continue to serve for years still.
The aircraft Godzilla would buy a ticket to ride in.
Simple explanation Unprofitable Under The Best Of Circumstances !
cool video
When asked by the USAF, Airbus refused to compete in the AF 1 replacement program. Thus the 747-8 got that role.
Yes because one of the requirements was to be built in the US. It wasn’t viable economically
Americans are so patriotic & would not have a foreign co. build a AF1
Airbus didn't look forward to handing over blueprints to the Pentagon, fearing they would somehow find their way to Boeing.
not refused. Its the US that cannot accept an European jet.
@@pigmoonk2545 that's not true, they can, we choose not to
I hope this bus with wings continues flying, if only to enhance the reputation and beauty of the 747.
What we need is a small private jet we can park in our garage and fly any where in the world that we can afford. Screw standing for hours at major airports and getting stripe down to learn if we are carrying a longer paper clip.
Oh my God! My wife's new bottle of facial cream was a gram over, inspector kept that for his wife.
I loved every model
Nice
A380 concept: A380-400; just the A380 with smaller wings and can carry 550 passengers in an all economy configuration. Designed to land at smaller airports
I like B787 and all the A380 models, which includes B747-8
£3,000 for a private a380, I'd buy one
even if you get one for free, you can't afford to keep it.
unless you have a big land with large open space where you can park this giant craft, you will have to rent space to keep this thing, which would run at least tens of thousands of dollars each month.
and even if you have such land, you can't afford to move the craft there, from some airport where it is currently sitting.
that transportation will cost you almost a million dollars, depending on the location of your land.
i cant even take my years salary and fill the fuel tank once
A380 Neo 1000 was always my absolute aviation dream, and right now I really hope it will become a reality in the coming years. This godlike plane is a Phoenix, it will come back for sure 😍😎👌🦾🙏🙏
this video is great, and so is the animation
Always a fan of your comments Jovi! See you on the next livestream :)
@@FoundAndExplained haha thanks! I will attend every stream!
My favorite variant was the A380 plus
Really liking this video! The intro is super smooth now, and the lack of echo is definitely appreciated. Your voice is a little quiet in comparison to the music, but it wasn't terribly so.
Awesome, thank you! I'll fix up the voice a bit more for the next one :)
I'm getting better on each video and I think this one is my best yet. Well... till this weekend ;)
300 Pounds fir a Private A380, I might buy a couple at that price
Why isn't there a combi version? Upper deck passenger and lower deck cargo
Honestly that’s a great question
@@FoundAndExplained yeah
I taught of it too
It is hard to find sufficient passengers and sufficient freight for the same city pairs at the same time. Also, any floor that carries cargo has to be heavily strengthened and this plane was already overweight.
The A380 has 3 decks. The upper one, middle one and the lower deck. The upper and middle decks carry passengers while the Lower deck is for cargo. Hope your question is answered.
There is indeed one, operated by HiFly as seen in a few clips in the video. Sadly, HiFly announced that they will be retiring their one and only A380C, and also their only A380 :'(
Is there more information on the private A380 concept? I'd love to see how they'd propose to lay it all out, if it was bought by royalty how would the area for all of the staff be equipped (top floor for the royals, lower level for staff seating), could armored cars be transported in the cargo hold or too much weight?
Way back when the global test flight was underway part of the sales pitch apparently was to unbolt the nose and insert a new section to allow the upgrade for more passengers as a future upgrade. That would have been interesting but apparently planned.
The only reason I didn't like the A380-800 was because it really looked too short. Like 747SP
Alas, failure of A380 program had proven Boeing Market was correct with canceling numerous 747 variants. Even the 747-8 was launched with the freighter version first before the passenger version.
2min05sec of the video shows a picture on the screen a system that calculates the A380's Range Capacity
3,851 Nautical Miles and 7,153 Kilometers
Is there on any website to calculate?
I wanted to do the calculation for other Airbus aircraft
Where could I find it?
The configurable idea is actually really cool but would it feasible? Most likely not.
A380-1000 would be a good alternative to the 747 for those pilgrimage flights to Saudi Arabia from places with many pilgrims such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
0:20 TRAFFIC. CLIMB. CLIMB. CLIMB.
My favorite airbus plane is the airbus a380-900
Wish they’d at least made the A380plus winglets, they look so much better.
cargo containers and systems were put in place based on the designs of aircraft of the period and the Queen set the rules that everyone had to play by. The Queen was designed for the cargo game from day ! so of course it is best suited to the role as Airbus was trying to convert passenger designs to freighter rules, not so easy to do despite a great BIG plane to work with
The freighter was never to going to work. It can't handle the out sized cargo that the 747 freighters can due to the 380s lack of nose door
Forgive me if this is a stupid question but could they not have done a tail ramp like the an 124?
@@waleedmahmood863 i know im very very late but, yeah, its not a bad idea
I'm not even close to being an aviation expert, but I always wondered if this otherwise impressive aircraft would ever really be a commercial success.
I would like all of the A380 variant. It just huge and massive and i liked it.
Great video but the music is a bit too loud at some part :)
My favorite a380 is...
A380-800 aka normal version lol
The classic!
Hey you
Surely using a scimitar to skim anything is overkill.
Bella domanda !!!
Very good, visually and content. Beautiful voice too, but at times, your words are pronounced softer at the end of a sentence - not audible enough. For the rest: 10/10.
Oh, every trip I flew on the A380 was memorable and nice. Too bad it wasn’t a financial success. All the best with your channel! Big hugs from South Africa!
I’ll work better on the sound mix
A-380, I think is still the best!!!
they are failure tho...
@@panzerkampfwagenivausfuhru7411 economical failure, but a technogical marvel
rip I once saw a cargo version of the a380
The a380 frame doesn’t make sense for cargo travel
Engaging yet eloquent
Hi Found and Explained. I got recommended your channel by the CZcams algorithm, probably because I watch a lot of aviation channels. So far I've really liked the 10 or so of your videos that I've seen but to be honest, I think your channel is gonna get dwarfed by channels like Wendover Productions (that often features plane videos), Curious Droid, etc. It would be cool though if you collaborated or merged with a channel like Mustard which has great content but only releases a video about once a month. Your video style and topics might also blend well with 2bit aviation (which seems to have renamed its channel Project Da Vinci).
Both the king and queen have/are falling going to miss them never got to fly on one
The first time I saw a drawing of an A380, I thought, "That aircraft is a parody of itself." Still haven't changed my opinion.
Rumors for military use as A380 MRTT exists. Flying hospitals and tankers
A380F would be really usefull cargo plane
5:35 i see singapore airlines A380-1000
That is A380-800 dude
Private a380 is like a flying titanic
maybe to compensate for the high empty weight the a380f should use the ge90 engine with higher landing gear
£3,000 ? I will order one tomorrow.
Would a A380 combi be a better economical solution?
my favorite variant is A380plus
To make a long explanation short ! It just was not economically feasible for anyone but the top 1% on the economic spectrum !
The engines it needed to make it economical feasible just was two far away in developmental terms.
My favorite is A380 plus
A380-1000
I would turn one of those into a house or a small hotel...
You mean 300 million euros.
I do it’s a mistake
Originally McDonnell Douglas design?
R u sure it is 3000 pounds🤔
Please 😭😭😭😭😭😭make video on the history and future of jet engine 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏
Is possible to just put two engines for Airbus A-380 instead of four as long as It is powerful enough??
Theoretically maybe
but youd need them to be significantly more powerfull than any we have, as well as redesign the plane's wings to support them and likely make it taller too
hi
You just answered your own question in that title. Lol
Who would of imagined a private a380
How many seats would there be in the Airbus A380-1000?
1000
Very disappointing other models weren’t made would have love to see the neo or plus in a fed ex livery
There’s one company, possibly in Israel that’s attempting this. Lot of cargo conversions going on there lol!
Globalism was promising a great future in the '90s.
I think Europeans were anticipating an uplift in per capita income especially for China and India (over 3 billion people in total). That would trigger a sizable increase in Intercontinental Travel which A380 is built for. That would require dozens of A380s in service, which did not realize.
Another factor, security measures imposed by the US has destroyed the airlines, air travel became a torture. Tighter visa requirements also added to reduction in number of passengers in Intercontinental Travel.
A380 is a technological marvel and will come back in an Improved more efficient version.
Salute to those Engineers, Policy Makers, Managers and Bean Counters who created the A380.
A380F should just get 4 GE90's🤣
A380 plus
Lufthansa is planning on making the A380F a reality. Lufthansa has stated it wants to keep the A380 flying as long as possible but it means this in a cargo sense.
My reasoning is that Lufthansa wants a cargo version of an airliner that's locally produced (.e.g Airbus) but more than likely. We'll see some airlines purchase A380s that are being sold off by the big airlines if they can afford it. Just don't expect to see a RyanAir A380 or a EasyJet A380.
With the A380 plus the aviation industry learnt that people dont want to be crammed like sardines in order to maximise the profit of airlines no matter how 'cheap' tickets became.
The problem was, Emirates were the only airline interested in a new A380 at that time, and they certainly were not interested in cramming more people into the same space. They just wanted the plane to burn less fuel and require less maintenance.
I did like the combo concept; especially where the passenger portion was easily reconfigurable. This would have become very convenient when the pandemic hit as they could configure it for more 1st class seating (to give more space between seats) and still carry plenty of freight (which possibly increased during the pandemic). Another interesting possibility of the reconfigurable design is the passengers could stay in those modules and the entire module is moved in and out of the plane. Don't know if they could do that for safety reasons, but it would solve a lot of the hassle of boarding and disembarking a plane. Hmm. Late arrivals could be an issue.
more space between seats would be money loss for airlines unless prices went way up...
NOTHING WILL EVER TOUCH THE A350!!!!
HOPEFULLY THE A350 NEO WILL MAKE PRODUCTION!
The "neo" improvements are already stock in the A350 program. The A320 neo and A330 neo are modernizations to bring fuel economy at least close to A350 and A220 standards.
@@Exodon2020 Yes thats correct... What I was saying is that I can't wait to see the A350 NEO up close. I work with the A330 NEO daily. Its a Bad A$$ Jet!!!! But the A350 Trumps them all!!!
(As for the Airbus line goes)
Anything only from AIRBUS
You always seem to forget the pandemic is one of the reasons the a380 did not sell more
The music drowns out the spoken word several times. Ended up giving up on the video rather than try and figure out what was being said. Would be better to have the music as a softer background track and not so loud.
Sure thing, i'm always looking to improve and if the music is too loud then thats a big problem. If you could know at what point there is a problem that would be great
Если А380 станут недостаточно востребованными, предлагаю реконструировать внутренние помещения под ночные клубы 🤓
A380neo-1000
Why get rid of such a safe aircraft???
It's useless they said and fuel hungry
No business case for it. No one is buying Super jumbos anymore and the A380's in service are not profitable so they are being phased out.
A380-1000,A380 neo
There is no such thing as a "tarmac" at an airport. You have a ramp, apron, pad, taxiway, runway, flight line, or gate. Tarmac is a building material, like concrete. You will never hear a pilot use that term.