Where to begin on this one, uh, how about this bit from just last week talking about how long SFO has been waiting for the arrival of regular A380 service.
All right, well, as you might know by now, the news just recently came out about how Lufthansa is going to use Airbus A380′s instead of Boeing 747-400′s on daily flights from Frankfurt, Germany.
Is this really a “windfall,” as the Mayor said (or actually, as the Mayor’s holdover staff wrote)? Well, probably not, as a windfall is something you luck into, like when coconuts fall into your arms from a stiff breeze.
And actually, SFO has been planning for the arrival of A380 for more than a decade now.
Here’s what it means to be “A380 ready.” See how one plane has three jetways in its gate? That’s one of the ways you can tell that SFO readied itself for the A380.
But actually, what we’re doing is losing service from one double-decker jumbo jet and gaining service from another, slightly bigger, jumbo jet.
Is the A380 really “the world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft” as the Mayor says it is?
Nope. A Boeing 747 or 777 making the same flight would burn less fuel.
And will these kinds of flights “help appease Peninsula residents who for decades have complained that it’s too loud to live near the airport or under flight paths?”
Nope, not in the least.
And are some A380′s still grounded due to an issue with Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines?
Yep.
And does Lufthansa use A380′s with Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines (instead of the more American, less blow-uppy Engine Alliance GP7200 engines?”
Yep.
Oh well.
(Oh, in other news, the reason why Qantas (oh, snap! “Qantas Incident” is like the most popular search term on Google these days it seems) left us for Texas is because them melon farmers down there paid the Aussies $3.5 million buckaroos to make the move.)
See the press releases, after the jump. Try to contain your excitement…
SAN FRANCISCO — Lufthansa announced today that it will be the first airline to offer scheduled Airbus A-380 service to San Francisco with daily flights between Frankfurt and San Francisco International Airport beginning May 10, 2011.
“San Francisco has been a U.S. stronghold for Lufthansa for more than 50 years,” said Jens Bischof, Vice President, The Americas for Lufthansa. “I applaud the Airport’s management for their dedication in becoming A-380-ready. It demonstrates our shared commitment to serving the global travel needs of the area’s active business community. while embracing the environmental advancements of the A-380. Very soon, Europe’s most highly regarded airline will serve SFO with the industry’s most advanced aircraft to date.”
“Lufthansa’s announcement that it will begin regularly scheduled A-380 service between Frankfurt and SFO is great news, not only for the Airport but for the entire Bay Area,” said San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “The economic windfall generated by international flights such as Lufthansa’s new service spreads throughout the entire region in the form of jobs and local revenues. I congratulate Lufthansa on bringing the first regularly scheduled A-380 to San Francisco International Airport.”
“San Francisco International Airport’s International Terminal was specifically designed to accommodate aircraft such as the A-380,” said Airport Director John L. Martin. “Passengers flying on the A-380 will be treated to world class service and amenities both in the air and on the ground.”
The Airbus A-380 is the world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, burning about 12 percent less fuel than other wide-body jet, and is approximately 30 percent quieter than the current generation of wide-body aircraft.
S – F – O
About San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop links with more than 31 international points on 29 international carriers. The Bay Area’s largest airport connects non-stop with more than 69 cities in the U.S. on 20 domestic airlines. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit www.flysfo.com. SFO was voted “North America’s Best Airport” in 2010 by passengers for its outstanding customer service and amenities.
Lufthansa to introduce first-ever A380 service to San Francisco Daily flights begin May 10th
– New flagship aircraft increases capacity by approximately 30% – New First Class cabin now available to Bay Area travelers
East Meadow, NY, January 26, 2011 – Today Lufthansa announced that it will be the
first airline to offer scheduled Airbus A380 service to San Francisco with daily flights
between Frankfurt and the “City by the Bay” beginning May 10, 2011. Flight LH455 will
leave San Francisco at 2:20 p.m. and arrive in Frankfurt at 10:05 a.m. the following day;
the return flight LH454 will depart Frankfurt at 9:35 a.m. and arrive back into San
Francisco International Airport at 11:55 a.m. Staring today, flights are available for
booking on www.lufthansa.com with rates from San Francisco to Frankfurt starting at $549
(one way fare based on roundtrip purchase; including taxes).
“San Francisco has been a US stronghold for Lufthansa for more than 50 years,” said
Jens Bischof, Vice President, The Americas for Lufthansa. “I applaud the airport’s
management for their dedication in becoming A380-ready. It demonstrates our shared
commitment to serving the global travel needs of the area’s active business community
while embracing the environmental advancements of the A380. Very soon, Europe’s most
highly regarded airline will serve SFO with the industry’s most advanced aircraft to date.”
“Lufthansa’s announcement that it will begin regularly scheduled A 380 service between
Frankfurt and SFO is great news, not only for the airport but for the entire Bay Area,” said
San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “The economic windfall generated by international
flights such as Lufthansa’s new service spreads throughout the entire region in the form of
jobs and local revenues. I congratulate Lufthansa on bringing the first regularly scheduled
A 380 to San Francisco International Airport.”
For over 50 years, Lufthansa and its partner airlines have served west coast travelers with
flights to Germany and convenient one-stop connections to Europe and beyond; currently
to more than 400 destinations. In addition to daily flights to Frankfurt, Lufthansa also
operates daily flights from San Francisco to its Munich hub and in 2010, Swiss
International Air Lines introduced daily flights to Zurich. By bringing the Airbus A380 to 2/3
San Francisco, Lufthansa will increase its number of seats offered daily by approximately
30 percent.
Most fuel-efficient aircraft
The Airbus A380 is the world’s most fuel-efficient aircraft, burning about 12 percent less
fuel than other wide-body jet, and is approximately 30 percent quieter than the current
generation of wide-body aircraft. Currently, Lufthansa provides A380 service to Tokyo,
Beijing and Johannesburg, and will begin service to New York’s JFK airport on February
28. The airline has ordered a total of 15 A380 aircraft, all scheduled for delivery by 2015.
This will make Lufthansa the largest A380 operator in Europe.
Lufthansa’s A380 is configured with 526 seats and features the airline’s new First Class
product. Located on the upper deck, this space is the quietest cabin in commercial
aviation and boasts an air humidification system – the first of its kind to be installed on a
commercial aircraft – that improves air humidity to help fight off jet lag. Two large,
luxurious bathrooms with separate changing and lavatory areas offer enhanced personal
space and storage. The cabin’s eight generously proportioned, ergonomic seats measure
6’9” feet in length and 2’7” feet in width and provide the ultimate in comfort and innovation
for an exceptional travel experience.
Also located on the upper deck is the award-winning Business Class cabin with 98 seats
featuring improved functionality, including more storage and a power supply that works
with all worldwide connections.
The main deck is home to an impressively spacious Economy Class cabin. Each of the
420 seats features an in-seat video screen, an optimized ergonomic design and a slimmer
seat back that adds two inches of personal space per passenger.
About Lufthansa
One of the world’s largest and most prestigious airlines, Lufthansa currently flies to 197
destinations in 85 countries, with hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, and with its recent acquisition of
Austrian Airlines and SWISS – Vienna and Zurich. From Lufthansa’s 22 North American gateways,
the airline and its partners serve over 400 destinations in more than 100 countries. An industry
innovator, Lufthansa has long been committed to environmental care and sustainability, operating
the most technically-advanced and fuel-efficient fleet in the world. Its long-haul fleet to and from
North America includes the Boeing 747-400, as well as the Airbus A340-600, A340-300 and A330-
300. Currently, Lufthansa has over 150 new aircraft worth about $20 billion on order. It will be the
largest European operator of the A380 and is also the launch customer for the new Boeing 747-8,
the industries’ two most fuel-efficient passenger aircraft. Known for its premium services, Lufthansa
continues its $200 million program earmarked for building new or upgrading existing lounge 3/3
facilities across its worldwide network and will spend more than $1.4 billion in new onboard
products and services by 2015. In 2010, Lufthansa has re-launched its broadband wireless Internet
service onboard, FlyNet. For more information or reservations, visit www.lufthansa.com.
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Deutsche Lufthansa AG
Corporate Communications
Christina Semmel
Tel: +1 516-296-9671
americaspr@dlh.de
www.lufthansa.com
http://twitter.com/Lufthansa_USA