Posted on 04/20/2006 1:34:59 PM PDT by Paul Ross
Airbus to build seven story airliner
Passengers will have choice of restaurants and theatres
TOULOUSE, FRANCE -- With delivery of its first 555 passenger, double-deck commercial airliner expected to take place later this year, Airbus announced today that it has initiated preliminary studies for the design and manufacture a 2600 passenger airplane.
The aircraft on the drawing board will have ten decks—seven for passengers, three for cargo and baggage. A prototype of the new aircraft, based on the company's Super Transporter design, will be called the "Airbus A390."
The plane is targeted for international service of flights of over 9,000 nautical miles (about 16,600 kilometers). The A390 will be powered by six Rolls-Royce turbofan engines developing thrusts of over 340,000lb each. According to a company spokesman, Jean-Claude Randele, "The break-even point for operating the airplane will be at a passenger load of about 1760 passengers."
Mr. Randele also noted, "Flights in 9,000 miles-plus range are expected to take 20 hours or longer so the A390 will include lots of amenities to help the passengers pass the time."
Among the features proposed for the future aircraft are six restaurants, three duty free shops, a lounge with a discothèque, two full sized movie theatres, a 14 lane bowling alley, a swimming pool with water slides, a wedding chapel, a fully functional medical clinic, and a 11,000 volume library.
Mr. Randele said that two major international carriers have already placed orders and that the new jets are scheduled to begin service in late summer of 2008.
Gotta be weird riding an elevator in an airplane.
They have enough trouble building one story airliners ... You sure this isn't ScrappleFace?
7 stories.
How about a Rodeo?
I'd prefer converting a large sheep hauling ship.
"Among the features proposed for the future aircraft are six restaurants, three duty free shops, a lounge with a discothèque, two full sized movie theatres, a 14 lane bowling alley, a swimming pool with water slides, a wedding chapel, a fully functional medical clinic, and a 11,000 volume library."
But what you'll actually get is 7 floors of coach seats jammed in a closely as possible so as to maximize passenger load. Remember the 747 "Sky lounge"? Anyone actually ever seen one on a commercial airliner in the real world?
it has to be able to do touch-and-goes on a vacant field in
Mexico.
Swimming and bowling. Two activities that will never happen on an airplane.
Yes. in 1974.
Did you miss "Humor" in the headlines?
The really cheap seats will be in steerage. They are housed within the Empannage and have no window seats. There are no other amenities. Carry on is limited to 4 liters of water and two sandwiches.
Too convincing. ;')
Each seat comes with its own white linen napkin that doubles as a flag ...
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