MALAYSIA AIRLINES PLANS TO OPERATE 700-SEAT A380S

But you can rest easy. This high-density A380 configuration is planned only for the carrier’s pilgrim flights between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

If means that this planned MAS A380 pilgrim service will accommodate 85 more passengers than Emirates’two-class A380.

MAS has been trying to find a buyer for its six A380s (which are now surplus to requirements) but it cannot find a buyer.

FrequentPR December 10, 2017 20:18

With SQ not renewing its lease on its initial, decade old A380, one wonders if apart from Emirates and perhaps some Asian airlines such as the Koreans, the A380s may gradually go the way of the dodo.

I gather that for airlines such as QF (which only has 12) they are expensive all things considered especially with the alleged current pressure on yields out of Australia for the large leisure section of the market.

Sure, the corporate travellers are important and often pay far higher fares on a seatkilometre basis (and occupy F and J) but most airlines cannot be profitable without “the back of the bus” yielding an acceptable average rate per kilometre flown.

When oil prices rise further and hedging practised by airlines eventually runs out of steam, it will be interesting to observe what the airlines with smaller fleets of A380s do with them.

AMcWhirter, please keep us all posted in your amazingly accurate and prescient way!

Flightlevel December 10, 2017 20:45

No aircraft is more comfortable and more economical on the right routes (nor safer so far) Airlines just find it costly so few can afford it! It always seems easier to spend less on two engines. It’s perfect for long haul with better seats – over 400 economy plus seats and over 100 business flat-bed seats and all passengers will get a good sleep!

Charles-P December 10, 2017 21:10

Anyone else remember that early marketing from Airbus when we were told the A380 would feature large comfortable seating areas with room to stretch out and relax? Boeing did the same with the 747 launch – that featured a cinema !

The pilgrim market is very much “pack them in, cheap as can be”. Emirates too are looking at doing a similar configuration for their Mecca flights from Europe.