Airbus A380: Superjumbo of the 21st Century Review

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(More customer reviews)"Airbus 380" takes the reader through the nearly 900 passenger airplane's development process - beginning with rough sketches in 1988. The aim was to break Boeing's 747 monopoly on large planes. Airbus envisioned increased travel to-from the Asia-Pacific market as justifying the need for new long-distance aircraft; the congestion at existing airports steered them towards a jumbo jet with targeted direct operating costs at least 15% less than those projected for new 747 models. After receiving a number of firm orders the go-ahead decision was made in June of 2000, aided or in spite of Boeing's decision to drop its effort to upgrade the 747 due to "insufficient market size." About 40% of the manufacturing was subcontracted out, and included a number of firms in the U.S.
Progress had been delayed by the Asian economic crisis in 1998, and the horizon darkened again with the air traffic slowdown post 9/11.
"Airbus 380's" narrative takes the reader throughout the development and testing, as well as initial manufacturing leading up to its January, 2005 roll-out. Clear photos, with accompanying specific explanation, provide insight to most every imaginable detail and an appreciation of the complexity and care involved.
Unfortunately for Airbus, the sudden rise in oil prices has led to fewer orders than hoped for, and wiring problems have twice created six-month production delays and the replacement of top management. Airbus has now committed to another $5 billion in development to further reduce operating costs in an effort to regain ground lost to Boeing's smaller but more efficient "Dreamliner."

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The first commercial flight of the Airbus A380 fast approaches-and rarely has a debut been so hotly debated and keenly anticipated. Tensions run high as airlines push for add-ons, manufacturers fret over weight and performance standards, and designers make the mundane but critical decisions over such details as seats and food-service carts that may well determine the success of this $13 billion project. This book provides a complete picture of the Airbus A380, as well as a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the development of the biggest commercial aircraft ever built. With 200 color photos, Airbus A380: Superjumbo of the 21st Century takes readers through the drama of the A380 project, introducing all the key players and unraveling the controversies surrounding its development, from battles over construction materials and on-board technologies to alleged mudslinging by Boeing and other competitors.

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