These photos of the first Air France A380 (MSN033) at Hamburg have been floating around today and were just too good to keep to myself. The new colors look mighty fine on this superjumbo. This particular airplane should be in the hands of the French flag carrier in October of this year.Image Credit Air France
on July 8, 2009 6:57 PM | Reply
That Paint job sure would look better on a 747-8I
on July 8, 2009 7:16 PM | Reply
Maybe it will..
What do you think of this paint job on the ... Concorde...! Sorry, old topic for interests sake :)
on July 8, 2009 7:20 PM | Reply
Hey JR I couldn't agree more with you.
on July 9, 2009 2:09 AM | Reply
hopefully they fix the problem with the wings and will be allowed to fly this mighty bird...
oh no...wait... I mixed that up with this nice little
race car over in Seattle...
sorry...
on July 9, 2009 3:51 AM | Reply
Not a chance JR! Can't wait to see the first A 380 with LH colours...
on July 9, 2009 4:53 AM | Reply
Hey JR and Tom B,
You guys can forget about your the 747-8I! Not in this lifetime though...
Nothing against the 747-8I;);) Seems like some people just can't stand the sight of this Super Jumbo. Is it because it's not made by Boeing???Get over it guys, this beast may not be as graceful as the 747 but it's here to stay wether you like it or not!
C'est la vie;);)
Cheers
on July 9, 2009 7:12 AM | Reply
A330Lover: Some Boeing fans, who, as you rightly note, cannot stand the very sight of an A380, have nicknamed it the "whalebus". I personnaly don't see why a whale should be considered less graceful than a hunchback...
on July 9, 2009 7:26 AM | Reply
Simple and Elegant!!
on July 9, 2009 7:30 AM | Reply
heh, I'd loooove to fly in an A380, and to that end, hope it's very successful ... but you gotta admit, it's a bit on the porky-looking side... :)
on July 9, 2009 7:34 AM | Reply
Will they apply dirt before it is delivered to match the rest of AF's fleet? :o)
on July 9, 2009 7:54 AM | Reply
They need to peel some of the paint off to make it a true AF livery. LOL
on July 9, 2009 7:58 AM | Reply
Reminds me too much of the 747SP - short, stubby, disproportionate - one ugly bird.
AF really went out on a limb with this "new" logo. LOL
on July 9, 2009 8:11 AM | Reply
Marc: Brilliant comment!! ;)
on July 9, 2009 9:04 AM | Reply
Well, Edouard, it _IS_ the Whalebus! But where others may mean that euphemistically, I mean it fondly. She is not more nor less graceful than the Queen of the Skies - merely different, and certainly as impressive in her own way.
And indeed, the 380 looks quite sharp in AF's colors, just like she has in those of Singapore, Emirates and QANTAS. Can't wait to see her in more!
And that is even while wishing that those colors would also grace the sides of the 788i as well ...
on July 9, 2009 9:37 AM | Reply
This plane is probably ugly, but we will get used to it.
Not as ugly as a 737, I would say.
And I wish I will never fly again into the 747, any occurence of it!
Even with noise cancelling!
on July 9, 2009 11:28 AM | Reply
You guys sure this is an AF plane?
This plane is way too clean to be an AF airliner.
AF planes are dirty. Always.
on July 9, 2009 12:04 PM | Reply
I like the new re-styled tail logo, but I don't like the AIRFRANCE one-word.
on July 9, 2009 1:00 PM | Reply
I have a hard time believing that the A380 will be economically successful anywhere but in the orient. I am still in wonderment at the number of the Quantas purchase. Personally I don't like the time it takes to load and unload a full 747. I can't see myself boarding a A380. Too much like the cattle cars going to market.
on July 9, 2009 3:04 PM | Reply
Hey A330Lover its not that I don't like airbus, they have some nice products, its just that I think that this aircraft is not meant for this market that we have now, true that in a few years it should go back but still. I also don't like how Airbus doesn't need to risk anything on a new aircraft because EADS supports it all, its a bit unfair if you ask me.
on July 9, 2009 4:11 PM | Reply
@JR: they have the 77W and the A380 on order, I doubt you'll be seeing any order for a passenger version of the 747-8 from them.
Back on topic: It looks good, I think due to the dimensions of the A380, simple colours tend to look good on it. Plus I don't think its ugly, it has one of the most majestic wings(on any airliner) imo.
on July 9, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply
New paint scheme? Booooring. They barely changed it... I guess nothing looks good on the A380 anyways.
on July 9, 2009 5:14 PM | Reply
If it's not Boeing l'm not going!!!!!!!!!!!
on July 9, 2009 5:49 PM | Reply
Wonder if it will look as good once its scattered across the Atlantic Ocean.
on July 9, 2009 6:22 PM | Reply
True, looks too clean to be an AF plane. ;)
on July 9, 2009 6:23 PM | Reply
True, looks too clean to be an AF plane. ;)
on July 9, 2009 6:58 PM | Reply
@Tom B
It sounds as if you think like that: Airbus is supported by EADS (whatever you mean by that). And Boeing - is on its own.
The name "Boeing" does not only stand for civil airplanes. Boeing consists of several divisions - as EADS.
Airbus is a division of EADS. As Commercial Airplanes is a division of Boeing.
Hope you do not really think EADS is generating most of its money from a division other than Airbus. The reverse is the case. So no risk for Airbus? tztztz...
on July 9, 2009 7:39 PM | Reply
@paint
I quote from the book Boeing verus Airbus on page 46 and 47 as saying, "Airbus had received launch aid for new airplanes that Airbus had received from governments in the form of subsidies." and "And it defined them as loans repayable with interest provided that the airplanes were actually built and made some money. If not, the loans would be regarded as outright subsides."
From my lest check Boeing did not receive any subsides. True that Boeing doesn't only entail Commercial Aircraft, it does a lot of work for the military but so does Airbus, (euro Fighter (EADS)) they can also use the technology that they apply there and apply it to the commercial world like Boeing does. My point is that Boeing doesn't get any help in the Commercial Aircraft market form the United States government like airbus gets from the governments that make up EADS.
on July 10, 2009 2:29 AM | Reply
A380-800 might not look so sleek on the ground, but most people find it impressive to see when it is flying. Don't forget that they still plan on developing the -900, which should look a bit less stubby. Assuming they still go ahead with it.
on July 10, 2009 2:44 AM | Reply
Tom B,
It is not the DOD manufacturing contracts alone that make the biggest difference. Though it should be noted that US military contracts seem to be a bit more generous on their payouts. It might be that the Pentagon and the Government are now controlling the cash output a bit better and the "cream" of such contracts will be thinned out but that is alot of extra money that has been going into the coffers that can be used for commercial programs development.
But another issue is the NASA "research grants" that Boeing receives to investigate things like, oooohhh let's say, composites structures manufacturing techniques. Boeing is allowed to use the knowledge gained from such "research projects" for its own purposes.
I suppose Aurbus or its corporate parent, EADS could bid for these NASA reasearch projects or military contracts, but look at the uproar resulting from bidding to supply a fairly "basic" (basic meaning no high tech missiles or electronic warfare equipment).
on July 10, 2009 12:47 PM | Reply
So much for "de gustibus non est disputandum"...
I'm a huge Boeing fan (especially once every two weeks when the check comes in ;] ), and when I fly in an Airbus every little sideways gust causes me look up and behind me with worry about the vertical stab coming off... but you gotta admit, the A380 is one awesome machine. It's not elegant-looking, but neither are a whole lot of airplanes that have their charm. The 747 and the C-5, especially from up close, look like very awkward monsters, but that's kinda cool, don't you think?
on July 11, 2009 2:33 PM | Reply
@ Balance
"Though it should be noted that US military contracts seem to be a bit more generous on their payouts."
"But another issue is the NASA "research grants" that Boeing receives to investigate things like.....
I am not sure what contracts you are referring to but with 40 years experience in military contracting and procurement I can assure you that the U.S. government has never been generous. Boeing military division has a banner year if they realize 10% earnings. As for the NASA research "contracts", they are open bids and the LOW bidder wins the contract. Yes EADS can bid as well and they get technology assistance from their 4 governments also. I might add that they also do defense work i.e. Eurofighter, A400M, numerous military helicopters, etc.
on July 12, 2009 12:39 PM | Reply
The more I look at the A380 the more I realize that is one JUMBO UGLY airplane. I like the 747 far better.
on July 13, 2009 5:39 PM | Reply
More pictures!
Subsidy/research grants soapie: The way I see it is as follows - very simply: In the United States of America, there appears to be a culture of innovation, an ability to turn science into money. This culture is completely unrivalled anywhere on this very pretty blue marble - such is the bulk size of research & development in the US - far larger than number 2 & 3 combined. Now, the US government, through it's agencies and departments, helps scientists learn stuff, develop and build stuff that the US government might like to buy. The scientists work for Boeing, and they go to school at NASA and the DoD. Now, what happens when you go to school is you learn stuff that you can use for the rest of your natural life. In this way, the excellently organised United States of America school system is perfectly legal.
The problem, however, arises when other governments can't organise themselves as effectively as that shining light of enlightenment does over in North America - the middle part. Also, they don't have a culture of innovation, and they don't know how to sell anything, unless a traitor(s) aids them. Now, over here we have the European Union. It thinks that giving aid at 'market rates' to fund the development of a very specific - and finite - civil program/aircraft is better than developing a new technology that has positive effects far beyond aerospace. What is innovation? (But, the Europeans aren't alone; I think the Canadians have a similar culture. Similarly, Brazil seems to be like the US - but I'll accept WTO litigation if I got it wrong.)
Now we have the WTO decide if America is wrong for being innovative - or if Europe is wrong for prescribing pain killers for something that could go away if they only simply set up a school to foster innovative, active and healthy students.
on July 16, 2009 4:09 AM | Reply
Airplane Jim,
yes, as I said, EADS could bid for the NASA research project, in theory. but of course in practice, is NASA ever going to award them such a project?! Please be serious.
As I also had written, the European contracts are not nearly as lucrative as the ones the U.S. used to hand out.
Have you forgotten the $700 hammer and pliers?!
In future, please read carefully and respond in context.
on July 25, 2009 3:28 PM | Reply
At Peter's comment: "Wonder if it will look as good once its scattered across the Atlantic Ocean."
You absolutely disrespective and insensitive person.
on July 31, 2009 12:06 PM | Reply
If it's not Airbus, I'm making a fuss! Such a gracefull aircraft. Much nicer then the Boring 747 if you ask me.
on August 5, 2009 4:50 PM | Reply
First destination of the Air France a 380 will be New York (JFK) after that it could be Montreal or Johanasburg. Also I think Air France will be the first airline in the world to fly the Airbus a 380 to Africa.
on November 20, 2009 9:32 AM | Reply
VIVA AIRBUS VIVA EUROPA
Hey guys get used the new king of ths sky.