I have delayed for a few days blogging about the first flight of the A380 because I wanted to let my thoughts gestate rather than rushing to publish. I wanted to let it all sink in now I have seen it in operation.
There are no bars, no gyms, or bowling alleys or indeed any other gimmicks on SQ’s A380s. And the CEO Chew Chen Sen makes no apology for this. I remember him telling me four years ago they wouldn’t have them. Instead their philosophy is to give the passenger more room. It works in Business and First where you almost need to MapQuest to find your way round. In Economy, well, it is economy and that’s that!
One thing stands out in my mind from the first flight. As I was interviewing the Captain, I asked him whether he had ever actually flown the plane before with so many real people on board. Without blushing or blinking he admitted the inaugural flight was the first time he had ever flown it with 455 people. All the previous flights were either in simulators, ferry flights or with fewer passengers.
Now, I know most pilots train in the sims and their first “real” flight is with passengers. The sims are exceptionally realistic. Even so, it did give me pause for thought. Think about it: the first time you do something you are doing it for real.
So the new era has begun. From the China Clipper, to the Dakota, to the 707, to Concorde and the Jumbo Jet, this is the next stage in aviation. (Forgive me, I have missed out so much but space and your indulgence is limited.)
Oh and some facts that you can all argue about. Firstly, the A380 is not the first full double-decker plane. I am grateful to Richard Ch. for reminding me of the Deux Pont in the 1950s.
And anyway, which is the largest plane in the world? The Airbus A380? The Antanov 225? But it’s a military and cargo plane, so does it count? The Spruce Goose also had a wingspan greater than the superjumbo.
And besides the Wright brothers plane, which has been the single most important plane since powered flight began?
Let the arguing begin…

So my long
I left
I have been trying out some of your suggestions to keep my shirts neat and tidy. Hmmmmm. Well, you can judge for yourselves on the shows – but just in case you think I didn’t get to grips, I attach a photo.