Airbus Updates no.2748

ANA Preps For The Return Of Its Airbus A380

Japanese carrier ANA (All Nippon Airways) is conducting another test flight to keep its stunning A380s current. However, this time it will be offering to take passengers on a tour which they promise will make them ‘feel Hawaii,’ even if they can’t go there yet.

A flight to nowhere on the Flying Honu

ANA’s beautifully liveried A380s haven’t seen much action this year. Specifically used for flights from Japan to Hawaii, the two A380s were grounded in March as Hawaii closed its borders. With borders planned to stay shut until at least the end of August, it looked like the giant jumbos were destined to spend most of the summer on the ground.

Of course, parking an A380 for an extended period of time is not a simple as all that. Stress on the landing gear means it is necessary to jack it up every 90 days and rotate the gears. To avoid this, ANA has been undertaking occasional maintenance flights to keep the A380s in good shape.

The emerald green Flying Honu took to the skies at the end of last month, meaning it should be OK to rest on the ground until September. However, it seems that the time has rolled around for the original blue A380 to do its maintenance flight. This time, however, ANA plans to carry passengers on this flight to nowhere.

Details of the flight

ANA’s special charter flight will take place on August 22nd, departing from Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Passengers will check in from 11:00 that morning and will board the A380 at around 14:00.

The flight will last around 90 minutes, during which time passengers will be treated to a sightseeing tour over Japan. To help passengers feel Hawaii, they’ll be given a number of special treats while onboard.

For those flying in economy, unique souvenirs will be presented, including a boarding certificate, a HONU rucksack, and an exclusive ‘Eco Set’ of bamboo cutlery and luggage tags. In premium economy, a specially designed Eco Bag will be handed out too.

Up in business class, every passenger will be given a Fred Seagull amenity kit and a thermo mug complete with ANA Hawaii branding. In first, passengers will get a Globe Trotter amenity kit as well as an ANA Hawaii hydro flask. All premium passengers will also get a travel voucher for future ANA flights worth 5,000 yen (about $50).

Every passenger will also be awarded 380 miles for the ANA Mileage Club. Those who arrive in Hawaiian shirts will get a Flying Honu airplane balloon! The flight will feature the usual ANA hospitality, including a drinks service, but no food.

Booking opens today

The flight, unfortunately, is not free of charge. Ticket prices range from 14,000 yen ($130) for the cheapest economy class seats up to 50,000 yen ($500) for first class. Bookings opened at 12:00 local time today and will be open for application until Monday, July 27th, at 09:00.

ANA anticipates high demand for this flight and has, therefore, said it will allocate tickets on a lottery basis. This means tickets do not to be paid for at the time of booking but will need to be funded as soon as the flight is awarded.

While the joyride is a bit of a gimmick for its passengers, the flight to keep the aircraft current is a positive sign. Undoubtedly, as soon as Hawaii opens up again, ANA will be back in the skies with its ‘flying sea turtles’ taking happy holidaymakers to the island state.

Airbus Updates No.2679

ANA Delays the Delivery of its Third Airbus A380 for Six Months

May 28, 2020   

Toulouse, France - The Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) pushed back the delivery of its third Airbus A380 aircraft due to the ongoing global crisis.

ANA had ordered three Airbus A380s. All of them are finished and two of them already joined the long-haul fleet of All Nippon Airways.

On Marck 27, ANA's third A380 took off from the Airbus facilities in Hamburg-Finkenwerder for a test flight of almost one and a half hours.

ANA planned to receive the third A380 in April, with commercial flights due to begin in May. But the airline has suspended the connection to Hawaii, part of its decision to cut 85% of international flights in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"The Japanese airline industry as a whole could lose about 2 trillion yen ($18.6 billion) in revenue,"

an ANA executive said.

Parent company ANA Holdings ordered three Airbus A380 airliners in 2016. The first two planes entered service last year, ferrying passengers to Honolulu.

Likened to a flying hotel, the 520-seat A380 doubles the carrying capacity of ANA's existing jets. ANA aims to use the three double-decker planes to cut into rival Japan Airlines' high market share in flights to Hawaii.

Airbus Updates No.2495

All Nippon Airways converts two Airbus A320neo orders into A321LR

Tokyo, Japan - Japan's largest carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) is adjusting its Airbus A320neo order book. The airline converted two A320neo to A321LR.

The Japanese operator has also pushed back the deliveries of Airbus A320neo remaining in this order from 2021 to 2022. The last A320neo aircraft is now expected to join the fleet of ANA in March 2023. The two converted A321LRs will arrive in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Besides ten Airbus A320neo and 11 A321neo, All Nippon Airways also operates three A320-200s and four A321-200s.

Airbus Updates No.2470

Third Airbus A380 of ANA appears out of painting shop in Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany - The third and final Airbus A380 for All Nippon Airways rolled out the painting shop at the manufacturer's Hamburg plant.

The third superjumbo is featuring Hawaii's well-known sea turtle "Honu" just like the other two A380 delivered to the Japanese carrier last year.

The first two aircraft were painted blue and green respectively. The third copy has an orange sea turtle on the hull.

ANA offers its Superjumbos with 520 seats in a four-class configuration - eight in First Class, 56 in Business Class, 73 in Premium Economy and 383 in Economy Class. The planes serve exclusively on the route between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu in Hawaii, a popular destination for Japanese tourists.

All Nippon Airways is the fourteenth and last customer for the Airbus' iconic superjumbo. Airbus will cease the production of the aircraft in 2021 due to the lack of demand from customers.

The last Airbus A380 will be delivered to the Gulf-based operator Emirates in 2021. Emirates is the largest operator of the double-decker plane (115 copies) in the world.

Few airlines other than Emirates embraced Airbus' superjumbo. Singapore Airlines and Air France are other well-known operators of the aircraft, but they already began the phase-out their A380s in the fleet.

Some were returned to the lessors and some went directly to the storages where they were dismantled for the second-hand spare part market.

Not a single North American carrier ordered or operated the aircraft. The operating cost of the A380 is higher than the other long-haul aircraft in service. It makes money when it’s full, but empty seats make it very expensive to operate on daily routes.

There aren’t many routes in the world that can maintain that level of traffic year-round.

Airbus Updates No.2077

ON A DAY OF MAJOR AIRBUS A380 NEWS COPYRIGHT OF SKYLINER WEBSITE HERES THE FIRST ALL NIPPON AIRBUS A380 JA381A

Airbus Updates No.2017

ALL NIPPONS FIRST AIRBUS A380 HAS ROLLED OUT OF THE PAINTSHOP AFTER 21 DAYS BEING PAINTED

Airbus Updates No.1940

First A380 For ANA Takes Flight (+Photos)

Clement Alloing

September 17

15:382018

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 by Tomos Howells

MIAMI — Just two weeks after coming out of the final assembly line in Toulouse, All Nippon Airways’ (ANA) first Airbus A380 has taken off on its maiden flight, later landing at the manufacturer’s factory in Hamburg.

This is the first of three A380s that ANA ordered in 2016, with the carrier now becoming the first ever operator of the type in Japan.

The plane will continue to undergo flight testing before it will be delivered in early 2019.

Photo: Clement Alloing

The airline has already confirmed that the A380 will be operated on the popular Tokyo – Honolulu route.

SPECIAL HAWAIIAN LIVERIES

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The three A380s will be painted in special Hawaiian-themed liveries, known as ‘Flying Honu.’ These will feature three sea turtles, each with a different meaning and character name.

The blue character will be called ‘Lani’ meaning sky; the emerald green will be called ‘Kai’ meaning ocean; and the orange livery will be named ‘Lā’ from the Hawaiian word meaning sun.

The company has already announced that the A380s will continue to work alongside the current flights operated to Hawaii, announcing plans to increase the number of flights to the islands from seven to 14. 

The Airbus A380 will be configured in a four-class cabin design, with 383 economy class seats, 73 premium economy, 56 business class seats and eight closed first class suites.

ANA has also added a new family-friendly multi-purpose room behind the main deck— a room where families can tend to their babies during the flight if need be.

The plane will also offer passengers, for the first time in Japan, the couch seat concept.

Photo: Airbus

The couch is a concept where three or four seats are joined together, featuring fold-up footrests which will allow passengers to lie across them.

ANA has also confirmed that it will provide mattresses for further comfort.

To add to the passenger experience, the airline will be setting the lighting in the cabin to match the colors of Hawaii giving a relaxing feeling the moment they board.

ANA will become the 14th airline to operate the superjumbo. The European manufacturer has delivered 229 A380s since it entered service back in 2007.

It is unclear yet on how successful the A380 will be in the Japanese market, but as ANA continues to struggle with the engine issues on its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the news that its first A380 is on its way to being delivered, is certainly positive news for the Japanese carrier.

Airbus Updates No.1576

ANA takes delivery of its first A320neo 

First A320neo operator in Japan

16 DECEMBER 2016 PRESS RELEASE

Tokyo-based airline ANA has taken delivery of its first A320neo becoming the first A320neo operator in Japan. 

ANA’s A320neo is configured for 146 passengers in a two-class cabin layout with 8 business class seats and 138 economy class seats. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM engines. ANA plans to start scheduled commercial services from Japan to Asian cities including China in January next year.

ANA HOLDINGS, the parent company of ANA, placed orders for a total of 37 A320 Family aircraft including seven A320neos, 26 A321neos and four A321ceos in 2014 and 2015. The company also ordered three A380s this year.

The A320neo Family incorporates the latest engines and aerodynamic enhancements, delivering more than 15 percent fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020. With over 4,800 orders received from 89 customers, the A320neo Family has captured over 60 percent market share in its category.

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with over 12,800 orders since launch and more than 7,300 aircraft delivered to some 400 customers and operators worldwide. Thanks to their widest cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard. 

Airbus Updates No.1457

ANA Group selects the A380

Three aircraft for first Japanese airline to operate the world’s largest aircraft

29 JANUARY 2016 PRESS RELEASE

ANA Holdings has signed a purchase agreement with Airbus covering the firm order of three A380s.  With this milestone order for Airbus, ANA Group has joined the customer base for the world’s largest passenger aircraft and will become the first Japanese airline to operate the type.

ANA Group will take delivery of the aircraft from 2019.  ANA Group has selected Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines to power its new A380 fleet.

“We are extremely proud to welcome ANA Group as a new customer for the A380,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer. “As one of the world’s most prestigious airlines, ANA Group will be able to benefit from the A380’s proven operating economics and unrivalled passenger appeal.  We are confident that the A380 will play an important role in the success of ANA HD’s new business strategy. The A380 will help ANA Group overcome capacity constraints at Tokyo’s busy airports, transporting more passengers, more efficiently and in greater comfort – all at lower cost.” 

ANA Holdings’ new order follows a recent order placed in 2014 and 2015 for 37 A320 Family single aisle aircraft.

Designed for the challenges of the 21st century aviation industry, the A380’s unique size allows airlines to maximize their revenue potential through an optimized cabin – boosting their contribution to profit by up to 65 per cent per flight compared to its nearest competitor. Its unbeatable passenger experience leads to higher load factors and more revenue, for higher profitability. The A380 carries 544 passengers in a typical comfortable four class configuration on routes up to 8,200nm/15,200km. From Tokyo this enables non-stop service to the US as well as to destinations across Europe.

Including the ANA Holdings’ order, Airbus has now received a total of 319 firm orders for the A380 from 19 airlines worldwide, of which 179 A380s have been delivered to 13 world class airlines. Currently, A380 is operated on over 100 routes to 50 destinations.

Airbus Updates No.1317

ANA Holdings firms up order for seven additional A321s

Takes ANA’s total order for the A320 Family to 37 aircraft

2 APRIL 2015 PRESS RELEASE

ANA Holdings has firmed up an order for seven more A321 aircraft (four A321ceo with Sharklets and three A321neo), following the previous announcement in January this year. This firm order brings ANA’s total order for the A320 Family to 37 aircraft (26 A321neo, four A321ceo with Sharklet, and seven A320neo).

ANA Group will be the first Japanese carrier to operate three variants of the A320 Family, the A321neo, the A321ceo and the A320neo. With an optimised use of cabin space called ‘Cabin-Flex’, the A321neo will typically seat up to 240 passengers while maintaining Airbus’ standard comfort standard of at least 18 inch wide seats. The A321ceo will seat up to 220, and the A320neo up to 180 people. 

“We are honoured that such a prestigious airline as Japan’s ANA Group has decided to expand its Airbus fleet by firming up this commitment,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “By selecting our single-aisle aircraft, ANA Group will benefit from unbeatable fuel efficiency and excellent cabin comfort for its demanding customers.”

The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with more than 11,500 orders to date and nearly 6,400 aircraft delivered to 400 customers and operators worldwide. Thanks to its widest cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer the industry’s best level of comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard. The newest member of the A320 Family, the A320neo, incorporates new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020. Firm orders for the NEO have reached over 3,600 aircraft from 70 customers.

The first A320neo successfully took its maiden flight in September 2014 and is now undergoing an extensive flight test campaign. 

Airbus Updates No.1279

ANA Holdings orders seven additional A321s

ANA’s new order further boosts presence of A320 Family in Japan

30 JANUARY 2015 PRESS RELEASE

ANA Holdings has ordered seven more A321 aircraft (four A321ceo with Sharklets and three A321neo), in addition to the firm order for 30 A320neo Family (seven A320neo and 23 A321neo) placed in July 2014. 

The latest agreement brings ANA’s total order for the A320 Family to 37 aircraft which will gradually replace its existing single aisle fleet. ANA will be the first Japanese operator of both Sharklet-equipped A321ceo and A321neo.

“We are extremely pleased that such a prestigious airline as Japan’s ANA, has placed repeat orders for our A320 Family aircraft.  By selecting our single-aisle aircraft, ANA is investing in the best in class, securing excellent cabin comfort as well as operational efficiency for its future,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

ANA became an Airbus customer in 1987, when it ordered ten A320s. In 1995 ANA also selected the larger A321, with a total of seven orders.

While passengers benefit from the A321’s state-of-the-art cabin design, wider seats and enhanced comfort, airlines profit from the unique operational flexibility of Airbus’ single-aisle aircraft. The A320 Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with more than 11,500 orders to date and nearly 6,400 aircraft delivered to 400 customers and operators worldwide. Thanks to its widest cabin, all members of the A320 Family offer the industry’s best level of comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18-inch wide seats in economy as standard.