To improve the sales of the world’s largest airliner superjumbo A380, the Airbus has developed a new, slimmer staircase just to allow for more seats. It was reported last month that Airbus was considering doing away with the front “grand staircase” to lower the double-decker’s operating costs and boost fuel efficiency.
Ingo Wuggetzer, Airbus Cabin Marketing Executive said that introducing a slimmer stairway instead of the double staircase would generate enough space to add 20 extra seats.
Overall cabin optimisation is expected to result in the freeing-up more cabin floor space for around 80 additional passengers which would in turn bring airlines significant additional revenues. As per new changes 20 more seats by New forward Stairs,3 more seats by Combined Crew-Rest Compartment (CCRC) , 23 more seats by 11-abreast 3-5-3 economy layout on the main-deck, 14 more seats + 2 food trolleys by New Aft-Galley Stair Module (AGSM), 10 more seats ( Business Class) by Upper-deck sidewall stowage removal. The option to remove the sidewall stowages on the upper-deck increases the wall-to-wall cabin width at foot-rest height which makes space for up to 10 more business class seats / beds when an angled herring-bone arrangement is used and 11 more seats by nine-abreast Premium Economy on the main deck .
Dr. Kiran Rao, executive vice president of Strategy and Marketing at Airbus Commercial Aircraft, said: “Only the A380 has the economies of scale and development potential to efficiently solve the problem of increasing congestion at large airports while providing the best comfort for passengers. The aircraft can also serve fast growing markets and airlines regional airports, so we are adapting the aircraft to meet evolving market needs.”
“There’s a lot more revenue generation potential,” Wuggetzer said at the Aircraft Interiors fair in Hamburg on Tuesday.
Airbus recently shelved plans for a bolder upgrade of the A380, involving new engines, due to cost. It also announced plans to cut output to one a month due to poor sales.
