The first single class Airbus A380 double-decker super jumbos carrying 840 passengers have been ordered by an airline. Air Austral, based in La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, has ordered two single-class A380s seating around 840 passengers. The aircraft will be operated on the high-density route from La Réunion to Paris.  With the Air Austral configuration, fuel consumption levels below two litres per passenger per 100 kilometres can be expected.  The A380 normally seats 525 passengers in a three-class configuration. The airline’s president Gérard Ethève said: “The A380 will offer the best comfort of any aircraft in a high density configuration.   “With its spacious and extremely quiet cabins, we'll enter a new era in terms of economic air travel.”  Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said: “Air Austral opens a new chapter for A380 operations. “It will operate the A380 with the lowest fuel cost and emissions per passenger of any aircraft available today. “The in-service experience has shown just how efficient the A380 really is, and this order from Air Austral demonstrates new ways of benefiting from that efficiency.”    by Phil Davies

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USER COMMENTS

Craig Mathews 19 November 2009, 21:30:04 GMT what's the difference ? other 2 or 3 class 380's have up to 550 seats, some 744's can take well over 500 in single class. Boarding would just take a little longer. Maybe those on cheapest tickets would have to check in between 4 & 2 2/12 hours before departure or be somehow penalised, eg. lose actual seat allocation. Don't think meals would take any longer, although this might lead to some ultra cheap fares, where meals for those people, might not be included or they might get a box or cold food/snacks & drinks when they board, depending on how long flight is. SCUM CLASS at rear of aircraft, might get no service, ie. get up 7 get your own plastic cup of water. If people have to pay extra for food/drinks they won't consume as much.   Mark Smith 19 November 2009, 13:56:56 GMT Hmmm.... ... a positively 'titanic' plane...   Richard Mandunya 19 November 2009, 00:37:35 GMT No Thanks The chaos and my nagging fear of another pilot tube problem means I would rather not. I really marvel at their courage, in the present downward spiral of passenger volumes everywhere. Maybe they will operate 3 flights a week instead of daily on the route?   Nick Cooper Director, Villa Plus 18 November 2009, 18:17:16 GMT price price price If it is cheaper, people will book it, end of discussion.   Clare Hilson 18 November 2009, 17:31:39 GMT No thanks! For all the reasons already listed.   Richard English Owner, REtraining 18 November 2009, 17:28:12 GMT It's nothing new I recall very similar points being raised when the 747 was coming into service - but we coped and nobody gives that number of passengers on the one 'plane a second's thought. And I am quite sure that similar commentary took place when similar capacity increases happened throughout the history of aviation. And now, as then, systems will be designed to cope with the new challenges and all will be well.   Tony Jolley Tourism & Management Education, Tonyversity 18 November 2009, 16:29:05 GMT No way! I'm with Maureen on this one. Would they ever finish serving coffee, let alone a meal... and if it did arrive for the last people served breakfast would be arriving just before lunch I guess! The chaos on the ground is an issue too... are there any departure lounges that cater for 800+!??? Bad enough on a flight of 100 or so that there is always someone late / luggage to offload/ slots missed as a result: now multiply that propensity by 8 or more! It's not the size of the plane it's the management of the volume of passengers that I think will prove all but impossible. But what do I know....? Time will tell, I guess... but if there is one crash/accident it might write off the whole large capacity market and demand for the plane on the part of travellers and plane buyers.   Maureen Kay 18 November 2009, 15:07:12 GMT A380 No way - it would be hell just checking in and can you imagine the chaos, boarding - security, collecting luggage at the destination baggage reclaim - -- I would rather stay at home - even in the rain !!   Antony Hunter 18 November 2009, 12:55:14 GMT No Way! There may well be many who will flock to an 840 seat A380 but I won't be one of them! In these politically correct days the term cattle class seems an insult to cattle