Air France A380 Schedule for Nov. 20/21

[Iberia A340-600]

Air France has released the schedule for their charity revenue flight for the A380 between CDG and JFK. The two flights will be designated as AF380 and will arrive into JFK on November 20th at 1:20pm and will depart JFK on November 21st at 8:30pm.

[Iberia A340-600]

Incidentally, the first A380 for Air France was delivered yesterday:

http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/5/2/2/19281_1256919225.jpg
http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6698806&nseq=0

http://corporate.airfrance.com/typo3temp/pics/e06a56ce38.jpg



Arrival of the first airbus A380 in the Air France fleet

• Very large seating capacity for 538 passengers

• Improved comfort, quieter and more spacious

• One of the most environmentally-friendly aircraft

Today, Air France is taking delivery of its first Airbus A380, the world’s largest airliner, which can carry 538 passengers over 13,000 km. Three of the twelve pla*nes on order will be delivered to Air France between now and spring 2010, to be closely followed by a fourth. Starting on 23 November 2009, the Air France A380 will be operated on daily flights between Paris - Charles de Gaulle and New York - JFK, followed by Paris-Johannesburg during winter 2009-2010.

Air France is therefore the first European carrier to operate this Superjumbo, and the first airline worldwide to offer transatlantic flights between Europe and the USA with this aircraft.

The A380 is particularly well-suited to the strategy of Air France, and its size is an ideal match for the airline’s powerful hub at Paris - Charles de Gaulle.

Its four state-of-the-art GP 7200 engines, its aerodynamic shape and its fuselage integrating the latest technologies make the A380 the most environmentally-friendly aircraft of its category.

«In 1996, Air France based its decision to acquire the A380 on objective criteria which proved that the performance of this aircraft was ideally suited to the Com*pany’s requirements», declared Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Chairman of the Board of Di*rectors of Air France-KLM.

The A380 boasts equivalent capacity to that of a Boeing 777-200 and an Airbus A340-300 combined, while offering a 20% reduction in operating costs.

«Each A380 will enable Air France to save 12 to 15 million euros a year, which, in today’s depressed economic climate, provides the Company with the means to withstand the crisis. Air France will therefore be able to offer its customers even greater comfort, while keeping its costs under control. Furthermore, the perfor*mance of the A380 is in line with the Company’s environmental commitments», added Pierre-Henri Gourgeon, CEO of Air France.

Air France’s A380 offers passengers three classes: La Première-First – 9 seats on the main deck – Affaires-Business – 80 seats on the upper deck – and Voyageur-Economy 449 seats spread over the two decks. In each remarkably quiet cabin, Air France has created an intimate soothing ambience, thanks to adjustable lighting suited to the different stages of the flight. Whether it be a meeting point or a relaxation area, each cabin has been fitted out with everything passengers need to make their flight experience a truly pleasurable one. 22 flight attendants are on board to serve the 538 customers.

As early as 1996, Air France took part in working groups including Airbus and the main launch carriers of the A380, to design an aircraft which could meet customer expectations, and has prepared for its arrival since 2003. Air France has also worked with the airport authorities to adapt ground facilities to this new aircraft, trained both crew and ground staff and invested in appropriate ramp equipment.

[Jetinder]

I thought it was going to carry 600-700 passengers instead of 538.

It looks smart, I like livery on the A380 but compared to Concorde the A380 is not that aerodynamic.

[Speedbird1]

I will try to come out to JFK on Nov. 20 to see this inaugural flight arrive. I went to catch the Lufthansa flight also but it was in Airbus livery not too long ago. That was the first ever A380 into JFK so it got much attention from the media.

[josciak]

Is there a certain runway they use for the A380 when they land at JFK?

[AirtrafficController]

Is there a certain runway they use for the A380 when they land at JFK?
Correct. The A380 cannot land on 31R due to what I believe to be is a lampost? Also the A380 is limited to certain taxiways it can go on due to it's large wingspan. And the A380 cannot cross the bridges that span over the Van Wyck and JFK Expressway due to the massive weight.

[m.marra]

Do you know what runways they have used? I know they can use 22L. How about 31L?

Unfortunately I cannot make it up there on the 20th for the inaugural flight, but I do believe the jet is coming back.
I will be visiting my parents over Thanksgiving and planning on catching the plane either the 27th or 28th. Hopefully we have nice weather.

http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/local/guidevoyageur/destination/enchere_vol_inaugural.htm
Beginning November 23, the Airbus A380 will make two daily flights between New York and Paris, except on Wednesdays:

flight AF006 will depart Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 1:30 PM, arriving at JFK at 3:45 PM,
flight AF007 will depart JFK at 7:10 PM, arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 8:45 AM the next day.

[AirtrafficController]

Do you know what runways they have used? I know they can use 22L. How about 31L?
The A380 can land on 31L, 13L, 22R/4L, and 22L/4R.

[m.marra]

Hopefully the winds favor 22L :D

[mmedford]

Is there a certain runway they use for the A380 when they land at JFK?
Correct. The A380 cannot land on 31R due to what I believe to be is a lampost? Also the A380 is limited to certain taxiways it can go on due to it's large wingspan. And the A380 cannot cross the bridges that span over the Van Wyck and JFK Expressway due to the massive weight.

Thats no lamppost...thats 13L Glideslope...

one of the least used pieces of equipment in the country...

[NIKV69]

Hopefully the winds favor 22L



31L would be nice, the light at Inwood park now in the late afternoon is perfect.

[mirrodie]

Whatever happens, may you all have sunny skies. I'll be in the office thinking of you guys and awaiting your pics online.

[Speedbird1]

I have to spot the landing from Terminal One so I will view her taxy into her gate. I have no way to get out to the runways since I have no car. Also, I recall that the Emirates A380 used to arrive very often using the VOR 13R approach as well as Rwy 31L. I seem to recall that she once landed on VOR 13L also but never do I recall her arriving on 31R so you guys are correct. As for figuring-out which runway she will use on Nov. 20. It's impossible. I recall hoping the final Concorde would arrive on VOR 13L but she landed on Rwy 31R instead so she could taxy right into her terminal.

[fly.mcs]

J'ai tellement hâte d'aller sur le vol inaugural !

I am excited to be onboard AFR#380 JFK-CDG the evening of 21 November! I will be returning on AFR#006 the following week, on 27 November. As of now, for both flights, I am confirmed at seat 14A (unless I do some last minute switches). I am almost sure this seat offers an amazing view of the engines and wing! Photographs, videos, and text will be posted once in France...

Air France AFR#380
JFK Departure: 20.30
CDG Arrival: 09.55 +1
Scheduled Duration: 7h25

For those who view the seatmap on SeatGuru, a few things are incorrect; for example, the lavs in forward economy are before the L2/R2 doors, in first class. Additionally, according to the Air France seat map, the wing begins at row 14. And another difference I noticed is that lavs exist on the second deck in business, but are not present on SeatGuru. After the flight, I will note these corrections and inform SeatGuru.

Hope the weather will be great !!

[Speedbird1]

Flight A380 arrived on Rwy 31L shortly after 1300 on Nov. 20 although JFK was using Rwy 22L all morning for arrivals. 31L brings the A380 right into the terminal. Before entering the gate, she was sprayed on both sides with water. I was hoping it would be red,white and blue colors but it was just water. There was much interest at the terminal and a press conference was held but it was closed to the public. Photographers with press passes gained access to the ramp area.

[moose135]

Flight A380 arrived on Rwy 31L shortly after 1300 on Nov. 20 although JFK was using Rwy 22L all morning for arrivals. 31L brings the A380 right into the terminal.
They switched all operations to 31L/R about 20 minutes prior to the A380 arrival due to winds, and continued to use them all afternoon, it wasn't due to the A380.

[Speedbird1]

I checked the fare for flying the Air France A380 since it was never posted. It appears to be $2332, Voyageur Class. This of course is 1 way. Not too bad when you consider the regular fare on their B777. The Premiere Class cost is $10,186 and is the same for their A380 flight as well as the B777.

[Matt Molnar]

The services are more or less the same so the prices should be the same. No crazy suites or showers like on Emirates.

[Speedbird1]

I didn't mean to imply that JFK switched runway arrivals just for the A380 arrival; she could have also arrived on Rwy 31L. I was just stating the fact that they changed runways. Actually, they often change runway configurations around 1300 in preparation for the "PM rush". I used to go out to Rockaway Blvd to spot so I know about the afternoon runway change all too well.

[Speedbird1]

I picked=up a free magazine at the Air France ticket office with lots of photos of the new A380 Airbus. Great photos of the factory at Toulouse, too. I will add it to my collection. Inside the office, they have a huge Concorde model suspended from the ceiling and I told the manager what a great aircraft that was and he agreed.