Hello,
I'm looking for a long haul airplane for high demand routes in which the Boeing 787-8 is too small. Although the A380 seems a better choice the performance tool says different. For instance on the route New York JFK - Tokyo Haneda, 0 years, +30%, comfort plus (economy) seats the B747-8i gives a better profit (both margin and true profit) than the A380.
Does anybody operate the A380 and can tell me if this is accurate? Or am I missing something here...
I never operated 748 or the 388 before... but why not wait for the 789?
Because I want a big aircraft for high demand routes to airports without much slots left. The Boeing 787-9 is only slighly bigger and I could always add one or two since it's shares the same maintenance category as the -8.
Well I have operated 747-8’s, but not the A380 so I can’t give you a comparison based on identical routes.
I don’t know if this will help, but I chose the 747-8i over the A380 because the 747-8 was:
Faster
Easier to fill
According to the route evaluation tool and my own math, it was more economical therefore more profitable
Based on my seat choice the 747-8 was more efficient at optimizing the cabin area
Aesthetically, The 747-8 makes the A380 look like a flying cucumber.
Also, I have found the route evaluation tool to be accurate, if not by the precise math, the relative differences between aircraft types. If it says one aircraft type is better, it generally is (If all your variables are set correctly).
Edit: 748 also has slightly more cargo capacity. Not a big factor but i’ll take anything I can get.
Althoug, I have a large fleet of A380 on Idlewild (Air Indonesia), it is hazardous, to lease this beast too early. When you rise the capacity, competition will lower prices (invisible via routes included) and your load factor decreases automatically. When A380 is <3/4 loaded, it burns your money in the real big way. In addition, the AGEX can decrease, too. To react better on this effects, it is better to have 2 Dreamliner having the same departure time to the same destination. I prefer the A330-300 to 787 as the specifications (runway length) ar similar. Both can be operated from short runways.
Most of my A380 are doing a great job on short haul services feeding the hub, as slots are fully booked. SIN-CGK without A380 would be impossible.
i've never operated the 748 or a380 but i think the twinjet is a better option. You can try the 77W but i heard it isn't a moneymaker here in AS
A380 is a great choice whenever the route that it will be flying is truly with great demand. Even though the demand is stable, you can expect your profit margin to be lower because it has higher leasing cost. This even worse when it comes to AGEX decreasing, it's gonna eat up your profit if your SLF falls below 85/80%. I suggest B777-200/300ER anyway because it still can make much money with SLF of 75% and you can still safely use it during bad AGEX.
I would choose a Boeing 777 in real life anyday but in AS it seems it's almost impossible to get a profit (if the performance tool is right). At the moment I've got three 787-8's flying the route, all fully occupied on first booking round. It's almost impossible to add another flight due to limited slots, therefore I'm thinking of replacing one with a bigger aircraft.
At this point I'm not sure the 777 is profitable or not, so if anybody operates one please tell me your opinions. :P
I would choose a Boeing 777 in real life anyday but in AS it seems it's almost impossible to get a profit (if the performance tool is right). At the moment I've got three 787-8's flying the route, all fully occupied on first booking round. It's almost impossible to add another flight due to limited slots, therefore I'm thinking of replacing one with a bigger aircraft.
At this point I'm not sure the 777 is profitable or not, so if anybody operates one please tell me your opinions. :P
If slot is an issue, then you might only have the choice of 74H.
The 777s and 388s fly at slower speed than the 788s so you will need to change some slots for sure...
But with the excessive 2:50 turnaround time on the 74H, you'll still have slot issues over the 788 anyway...
Thai Wings is in the same position, but will just have to wait for the 787-9 at this rate...