1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

  2. Live Rockets Discussion
    Jalen Green looks like a legit star, Amen Thompson is shining and the Rockets have found something without Alperen Sengun. Clutch is talking about the 10-game winning streak at 11:00am as we talk Rockets live!

    Talking Rockets - LIVE!

Virgin Atlantic eyes gyms, casino, double beds on A380

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Rockets34Legend, Jan 19, 2005.

  1. Rockets34Legend

    Rockets34Legend Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2002
    Messages:
    20,471
    Likes Received:
    15,031
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6843272/

    [​IMG]
    The A380 double-deck superjumbo, unveiled Tuesday, is the world's largest passenger plane.


    Announcing Virgins plans for the double-decker which was unveiled Tuesday in Toulouse, France, Branson said a gym and gambling area offering blackjack and roulette would be available to economy and business class passengers.

    Virgin Atlantic, which already offers seats which convert into double beds on some of its existing aircraft, plans to install 35 private double beds on each A380.

    Virgin Atlantic, which is 49 percent owned by Singapore Airlines, has ordered six A380s with options for a further six, worth a total of $3 billion. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in May 2008.

    Virgin Atlantic was originally scheduled to take delivery of the A380 in 2006 but delayed the plans due to concerns that some major airports, particularly Los Angeles, would not be ready to accommodate the plane in time, as well as delays in sourcing components for some design innovations.

    Branson said Virgin Atlantic was now confident that airports were prepared and suggested the company would take up its options for a further six planes sooner rather than later.

    The chances are we are going to want more than six, he said.

    He also said that A380 parent Airbus had guaranteed Virgin the plane would deliver lower operating costs and had promised to compensate the airline if cost savings dropped below a certain level.
     
  2. amfootball

    amfootball Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2002
    Messages:
    264
    Likes Received:
    0
    How long do you think that thing will take to de-plane? It takes forever and a day to get off a 777...this thing will take hours.
     
  3. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    123,879
    Likes Received:
    32,770
    These are great, but airlines are having a hard time filling up planes half that size.

    I will ride one though, just to see.

    DD
     
  4. 111chase111

    111chase111 Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2000
    Messages:
    1,660
    Likes Received:
    21
    While Virgin Atlantic may put stuff like casinos and gyms on A380s it probably won't last. When the 747 came out they had all sorts of stuff in the upper deck (like piano lounges), however, that all went away in order to squeeze as many people on a single plane as possible. The same thing will be true of the A380. It might start out with some cool extra stuff but soon the airlines will convert everything to passenger seats to get the most money out of each flight
     
  5. torque

    torque Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2003
    Messages:
    4,836
    Likes Received:
    924
    nah I doubt it, as the A380 is not likely to even approach 800 passengers a flight, which is its capacity. They said on the news yesterday that 500 passengers a flight was expected, and the reason for flying the A380 was the novelty and comfort of having perks like a gym and casino on an airplane.
     
  6. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 1999
    Messages:
    123,879
    Likes Received:
    32,770
    If they run a Casino, they will make more money on that then the actual flight.

    :)

    DD
     
  7. Rocket G

    Rocket G Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2004
    Messages:
    1,623
    Likes Received:
    8
    A gym?

    WTF are you gonna shower?

    It's just PR. Unless the plane is some sort of exclusive VIP thing, it's too uneconomical to hold enough clean, heated water to enable gym users to shower...
     
  8. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2001
    Messages:
    12,707
    Likes Received:
    1,366
    reminds me of the giant contraption in The Aviator, the Spruce Goose
     
  9. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 1999
    Messages:
    45,156
    Likes Received:
    31,111
    I didn't read the article, but I think this thing's got something like 16 exits on it.
     
  10. drapg

    drapg Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2002
    Messages:
    9,683
    Likes Received:
    1
    A gym on an airplane?

    I'd be in freakin' heaven!
     
  11. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2001
    Messages:
    12,707
    Likes Received:
    1,366
    i imagine airports using more than one terminal to load and unload a plane of this size...

    I'll pass on the showers, thank you...


    Drinking Water Aboard Airliners worsens

    WASHINGTON (AP) -- Drinking water aboard the nation's airliners is getting worse, not better, despite government-ordered sanitation improvements, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday.

    About one in six airliners in the latest round of tests conducted in November and December had drinking water that failed to meet federal safety standards, EPA said. Similar tests in August and September showed the water in one in eight aircraft testing positive for coliform bacteria.

    The latest round of testing produced positive results for presence of the bacteria in 29 of 169 randomly selected passenger aircraft carrying domestic and international passengers. The tests were done on water from galley water taps and lavatory faucets on planes at 14 airports throughout the United States.

    The coliform bacteria -- usually harmless itself but an indicator of the possible presence of other harmful organisms -- was found in the planes ranging from small commuter aircraft to jumbo jets is usually harmless by itself. None had E. coli bacteria, which can cause gastrointestinal illness.

    "It's an issue that's of concern," said Thomas V. Skinner, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "It's not an indication that anyone needs to panic."

    Despite the increased rate of aircraft testing positive over a previous round of testing, Skinner said he "would still maintain that the vast majority of planes do not come up positive."

    He said the government does not plan a third round of tests.

    EPA's tests last August and September found coliform bacteria on 20 of the 158 randomly selected aircraft. Two planes then also tested positive for E. coli bacteria, which can produce diarrhea and nausea. About 73,000 cases of E. coli infection are reported in the United States each year.

    EPA advised passengers with compromised immune systems or others concerned to ask for canned or bottled beverages and refrain from drinking tea or coffee unless made with bottled water.

    Combining the two rounds of testing on 327 aircraft last year, EPA officials noted that about 15 percent of the planes had been found with coliform bacteria.

    EPA and 12 major airlines agreed in November on a program aimed at improving sanitation. It included more testing of aircraft. Airliners would be disinfected within 24 hours if coliform bacteria were discovered, unless the agency granted an extension because the plane was outside the United States. Passengers would find signs posted in lavatories and galleys.

    Signing agreements with EPA were Alaska Airlines, Aloha Airlines, American Airlines, America West, ATA Airlines, Continental Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and U.S. Airways.

    Two additional airlines, Delta Airlines and Southwest Airlines, are currently negotiating separate agreements with EPA.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now