It has been hard to miss the unveiling of the new monster airliner from Airbus this week. The pictures have been all over the media. With capacities between 500 and 800 passengers this behemoth can double the carrying capacity of the current size champ the Boeing 747.

Airbus is quick to show and tell all of the amenities that designers imagine airlines will offer in these planes. Most analysts feel that amenities like shops, casinos, spas, bars, etc. will not materialize as airlines look to maximize revenues per cubic centimeter of space.

Analysts also feel that the Boing 7E7 Dreamliner has the upper hand since it has design features integrated into the design of the plane that will enhance the travel experience regardless of class of service or seat count. A new composite fuselage enables a higher(more normal) relative humidity for in flight air. This combined with larger windows and overhead storage bins makes for an enhanced passenger experience. Boeing has also taken their marketing directly to passengers hoping to drive passenger demand for the new planes towards airlines.

The Airbus 380 is finding a market among up-scale international airlines who can use them for prestigious international routes. The challenge will be filling and flying them profitably. There also may be a hidden market for these as troop transports to move troops to hot spots quickly. Although landing requirements may limit the airfields that can accommodate the A380.

Pictures of the plane in isolation like the simulated in flight photos don't give a proper perspective on the size of these giants. Here are a couple of simulated images that give some perspective when compared to current jetliners.

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Comments

[Troy Worman]

Do we really need airplanes this big?

[ncm]

Of course nobody needs a plane this big, but why not?