Antonov 124 Eats Airbus 380

Remember that GIANT Emirates A380 model that recently went up outside of London Heathrow? Here's a picture of that 1/3 scale model being loaded into an Antonov AN-124 freighter at the Ontario Airport in California. I doubt you'll ever see a sight like this again. Although, it's kind of what Airbus does now for assembly, but on a slightly smaller scale.

Photo Credit: Dmitry Avdeev

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Emirates Wanted To Recycle Shower Water On A380

One week after Emirates received their first Airbus A380, the Dubai-based airline gave the United States its first scheduled service of the super jumbo today...and it did not include drinking recycled shower water. The airline had originally planned to take the water from it's now infamous on board showers and have it recycled while airborne and reused for passengers who partake in this service. The idea, seen as a weight saving measure, was shot down by European regulators even though Emirates president Tim Clark claims he "has seen demonstrations of contaminated water being turned to drinking quality following normal and then ultra-violet filtration." If they're trying to create incentive for buying a $5 bottle of water in the air, they're doing a good job here. All of Emirates' three-class configured A380s will have two of these shower-spa cabinets which seem very nice, although sharing this shower with other people on a flight may be an invitation for athlete's foot. The aircraft will now have to carry about 25% more water which means more unwanted in-flight weight. Clark even conceded that Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum was "not keen" on the idea of using recycled water for showers on their A380s, although he is hopeful regulators will ultimately ease their stance on the issue. Emirates is quite proud of their shower setup that took almost four years to develop this "masterpiece of engineering". But let's be honest now. Who doesn't pee in the shower? Think about that one while you're rinsing off at 37,000 feet.

(Flight Global)

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World's biggest A380 model lands at Heathrow

Construction of the world's biggest model of the world's biggest commercial jetliner is nearing completion at Heathrow Airport just North of Runway 09L/27R. The Emirates Airbus A380 was built by California-based Penwal Industries and is so large it had to be transported to Heathrow on a Polet Antonov AN-124. This bulging behemoth certainly makes the Lego A380 seem a bit diminutive. Some of the finishing touches include installation of the engines and placing the 'M' and 'T' on their respective sides in the word Emirates. These were left off initially as they are in the area where the fuselage barrels were joined. The A380 will now occupy a spot that was for years home to a one third scale British Airways Concorde. When BA decided to drop their advertising budget for the model, Emirates swooped right and took their place. Doesn't quite seem right, but oh well. Now can I get one to put in Aaron's lawn?



(Flight International)

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Emirates to Offer Hot Showers on A380

Planning on flying from New York to Dubai on an Emirates A380 this fall? Have $18,000 dollars to spend on a first class ticket? Feel a little dirty and would kill for a shower on the flight? If your answer to the above three questions is "yes", you are in luck my friend because Emirates will be offering this service to its first class passengers who pay a double premium (first one is for the seat, second for the shower) for a flight from NY.

No pictures have been released of said A380 first class cabin, but it is reported (by Emirates) to be similar to the experience at Dubai's "seven-star" Burj Al Arab hotel.

Environmental groups are, as usual, up in arms over this amenity. And sure, this might impact the environment negatively due to the extra water weight and carbon emissions from carrying additional fuel to haul that extra load -- but note that, realistically, the majority of people who will be able to take advantage of this unique and expensive amenity are people with oil money, so they could give a crap about the environment to begin with and the cost of the extra fuel needed to carry the water weight is going back in their pockets -- kinda completes the circle if you think about it.

I hope this shower spews gold flakes (not a golden shower) on me as I shower or it comes with a flight attendant (as seen above). And, once again, poor Al Gore has a heart attack.

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