Taking the Bus

The Airbus A380 is certainly going to revolutionize air travel. With the ability to cram 550 to 600 passengers on board, some airlines will certainly be able to turn over quite a few bucks even with low airfares. The algorithms on volumes and capacity planning will at last produce numbers that will bring a smile to the faces of management and shareholders. But its more than likely that passengers wont be smiling.

Why? I cannot imagine disembarking at Mumbai airport and queuing up for immigration at a time when 2 or 3 of these babies have landed. The lines will probably stretch out onto the tarmac. But in a way perhaps that’s best – because even if you clear immigration sooner, the chances of getting your bags on the belt any time after you get to it are indeed dimmer than the chances of housing rents in Dubai dropping.

In-flight too there are going to be challenges. On a normal Boeing 777 flight, in cattle class, it takes the service crew quite a while to deliver a meal to your folding table (depending of-course on where you are seated). And trying to reach the rest-room when the service trolleys are out in the passage is impossible if you happen to be seated on the wrong side of the trolley.

On the A380 the service crew – even if more in number - may have to shorn roller blades in order to zip up and down the aisles to service their passengers. And the likely 8 abreast central seating layout (the most profitable) is sure going to increase demand for aisle seats.

All in all – travel as we know it, is poised to change. When the stewardess says “Let me see if I can find a vegetarian main course in the other galley for you" be prepared for it to be served cold!