Korean Air receives first A380
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Korean Air has received its first ever Airbus A380 at a ceremony in Toulouse, France, attended by Yang Ho Cho, Chairman & CEO of Korean Air, Tom Enders, President & CEO of Airbus, and Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS.
“Korean Air was the first airline to purchase an Airbus aircraft outside Europe. The exceptional, fuel efficient and environmental friendly A380, which has now become an essential part of our fleet, perfectly assists Korean Air in advancing our goal of becoming a respected leading global carrier. It will strengthen our fleet and help Korean Air connect the world in comfort and with convenience,” Cho said.
“As we enter this new era of great service, we pledge to continue to set our standards high; to maintain our commitment to the environment; to complement great aircraft with great service; and to make our flights the kind that customers want to return to.” he added.
“We are extremely proud to welcome Korean Air as the latest operator of the A380,” said Enders. “The A380 has proven to be a game changer, setting new standards for comfort, economic efficiency and respect for the environment. We are confident that the A380 will play a key role in enabling Korean Air to further strengthen its position as one of the world’s great airlines.”
Configured in a three-class layout with just 407 seats, the fewest of any A380 operator so far, Korean Air’s double-decker A380s feature 12 First Class Kosmo Suites and 301 Economy Class seats on the main deck, as well as 94 fully lie-flat Prestige Sleeper seats in Prestige Class (business class) on the upper deck. The carrier is the first to devote an entire deck of the aircraft to business class.
Korean Air will be the first airline in the industry to have a ‘Duty Free Showcase’ on its new A380 aircraft, with a range of products including cosmetics, perfumes, liquor and accessories. The aircraft also includes an onboard bar and lounge area.
Korean Air’s first A380 will arrive in Seoul on 2 June 2011 after finishing final flight and ground tests in Toulouse. The new aircraft will then go through flight tests in South Korea prior to its inaugural flight to Tokyo Narita in mid-June 2011.
Korean Air will be the sixth operator of the A380. The airline has ordered 10 A380 aircraft with the first five to be delivered by the end of 2011 and an additional five by 2014. Korean Air will initially operate the A380 from Seoul to destinations in Asia, followed by non-stop long-haul services to North America and Europe.
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