JAL Says No to A380
Despite many other airlines already putting in their orders for the new large-capacity Airbus A380, Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that it has no plans to add it to their fleet. Singapore Airlines are the first airline to take delivery, with other notable buyers including Thai Airways, Emirates Airlines, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa and Qantas.
The huge new Airbus A380 promises to be a revolution in air travel. Some airlines have mentioned that instead of extra seats they plan to utilize the space with luxury lounges, bars and gaming rooms. Airline tickets for these flights are expected to be very popular, but as yet no indication of price has been given.
By adding more seats to the planes it is possible that airline ticket prices may come down due to more bookings. However the luxury flights could see steeper prices for those that appreciate the finer service and relaxed atmosphere.
JAL airlines claim its decision is based on a global downsizing trend amongst the airline industry. However, the list of purchasers and orders for the Airbus A380 may go against this thinking. A spokesperson also alluded to minimizing risks to passengers in the event of unforeseen event, stating that aircraft with fewer passengers significantly decreased the risk to travellers.
