http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_U...o/380/A380.gif

Lower deck:
12 First (1-2-1)
311 Economy (3-4-3)

Upper deck:
60 Business (1-2-1)
88 Economy (2-4-2)

Nothing particular exciting. Business seats should be the same one as on their 773ERs. Note the very small mini-cabin for economy at the very back of the upper deck. Interesting.

Note the ratio of seats: 12/60/399.

Compared to their 744 (12/50/313), it only has 10 more business class, but many more economy.

Compared to their 773ERs (8/42/228), the ratio of economy is significantly higher on the A380.

I am not familiar with SQ's mileage upgrade policy, but that cannot be very good news for those who like to use miles to get C class.

<i>I am not familiar with SQ's mileage upgrade policy, but that cannot be very good news for those who like to use miles to get C class.</i>

I guess the big question is what are the carrier's plans with respect to existing capacity on routes where the whales will be flying? Will current aircraft be redeployed, or will there be a net increase in seats (in particular premium seats) on those routes? Maybe upgrades on SQ (or QF, ha ha) will get easier because the 380s will dilute the demand. In the case of SQ's rollout 380 service (SIN-SYD) they'll be going from 3 744s daily to 2 744s and 1 380, so a net increase in J and F seats on that route.

Yes, net increase of J seats, but overall premium:economy ratio still lower. Long term, that means expanded customer base, and likely to have more elites and more people with miles (because more Y seats), but J supply will lag behind.

The A380 is clearly aimed at leisure markets so I'm not sure those ratios mean much to premium flyers. Remember QF is getting its own 380s.

I was looking for that, thanks for the link.
So the 3 daily 744 on the Sydney will go to 2 x 744 plus the 380.
I am no mileage expert by any means only having Thai and SQ mileage, but the times I have used SQ for an upgrade has been a breeze, they credit milage 'instantly, so if say you take a flight sector and that mileage takes you over the threshold for an upgrade, seats available, you can upgrade even the next day, I did it once, amazing service. They had one seat available and I got it easily!

I don't know how this compares with others but the now I guess 3 or 4 times I have done it was fine, but in all cases it was within days of travel, maybe that makes a difference.

Although I enjoy their Raffles class, on the average SIN-AUS sectors around 6.30 to 7.30 hours their Coach/Economy is so good I would not considor paying for Business out of my own pocket, but I'm not rich (!!)

I doubt they will have any problem filling those extra seats on the SYD route at all and with the 3 flights already it allows them that extra capacity without putting on another plane.

I wonder if passengers will feel any difference.

It looks like the only stairways between decks are at the front and rear of the aircraft. Or is there one in the middle. too (which looks narrow)?

If none in the middle will they be routing upper deck coach passengers through the first class and business cabins? or all the way to the read and then up (which looks awkward and inconvenient)?

I may have answered my own question: boarding doors on both levels? Possibly multiple?

Either two jetways (one for each deck), or three (one for upper, two for lower).

The staircases will not be used by the passengers usually.

My own prediction in this matter? After an initial love affair, demand will not prove to be adequate to fill all those seats. Fares will drop. Bet on it.

Similarly, for those carriers planning to utilize this super jumbo for flights to the U.S. Look for fare sales in the near future.

It's always a good thing to have more seats, lower operating costs and lower fares for the traveling public.

Anyways, I was reading on flyertalk's SQ forum, and someone raised a good point.

Compared to the SQ's 773ER, there may be some comfort improvement for the handful in FC. But for the important business class, its 1-2-1 seating on both planes, yet the 777 has the wider fuselage compared to the upperdeck of the 380. And you'll be one of 42, rather than one of 60.

For those in coach, the upperdeck with 2-4-2 will be nice, but the lower deck in 3-4-3 will be worse than 3-3-3 on the 773ER.

There's no special lounge, no bar, no sitting/standing area. So, you guys are absolutely correct in saying the A380 is really aimed at the leisure market, and not the high yield business ones.