Emirates A380 is in Brussels on Friday 18th Sept 2015

[Conti764]

Maybe a stupid question, but what's to study? The A380 can land, taxi, take off and be handled at BRU. You have an airline willing to deploy the beast on a regular base? Start constructing a second jetbridge capable of reaching the upper level at one of the gates at the very end of the lounges floor (4).. It's not like it's going to cost them a fortune...

[boeing747]

great report Andre, you where so lucky to be there...

[Established02]

LANDING https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 401&type=3
TAXI https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 401&type=3
WATER SALUTE https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 401&type=3

[LJ]

Maybe a stupid question, but what's to study? The A380 can land, taxi, take off and be handled at BRU. You have an airline willing to deploy the beast on a regular base? Start constructing a second jetbridge capable of reaching the upper level
at one of the gates at the very end of the lounges floor (4).. It's not like it's going to cost them a fortune...

It's not only jetbridges etc. At AMS they needed to reinforce the apron, adjustments in the docking system and taxiways (though this may not be appplicable to BRU). Having an A380 once doesn't mean you can have the A380 on a daily basis.

[sn26567]

One additional jet bridge at one gate will not suffice. Generally airports with A380 flights have three jet bridges at one gate, two to the lower deck and one to the upper deck. Then new equipment will be necessary: towing bars, catering elevators capable of reaching the upper deck.

Taxiways will also need to be adapted.

All together, 10 millions euros would be needed to make BRU fully compatible with the A380. Brussels Airport will only spend this kind of money if regular A380 flights are scheduled.

[chineseboy]

Anyone an idea of the loadfactor of the inbound and outbound flight of the Emirates A380?

[KriVa]

A carbon copy from the more general topic about the activities around Brussels Airport on September 18th, but I had a feeling this post was relevant here too:
(By the way, if you'd like to repost these pictures, please do so with credit. Filling out copyright complaints on different social media platforms is not a hobby of mine, and can get your account removed on said platforms.)

A few from my side:
A380 Arrival by Thomas

After the arrival, the race was on to get to the gate in time to see the water salute. All the reporters hurried to get back in the bus. Thankfully, the A380 used the entire runway length, which bought us a few extra minutes.

Water salute by Thomas

While the aircraft rolled onto the stands (since multiple stands had been blocked for this special occasion), the true size of this monster became apparent. The A380 is, well... HUGE!

Almost there... by Thomas

Once on stand, a few challenging hours began for the ground crews. Cleaning, catering, handling, loading and unloading... The processes themselves aren't exactly different to other planes, there's just more of everything.

On stand 233L by Thomas

I couldn't resist walking underneath the airplane, where I was greeted by this sight:

Underneath the belly of the beast by Thomas

After the ceremonial gift exchange...
Gifts by Thomas

And the cutting of the cake (with questions by the press like "Will this become a daily flight?" to which the answer was no)...
Questions, questions. by Thomas

The press was escorted to the aircraft.
Head on by Thomas

Where we got a tour of the different classes on board.
Economy:
Economy Cabin by Thomas

The famous stairs:

Stairs by Thomas

Business Class:
Business meal by Thomas

And First:
First Class dining by Thomas

Complete with your own full-flat bed, and bar:

Time to sleep by Thomas

Off to Dubai!!
Up, up and away! by Thomas

Into the sunset... Uhm... Rainbow.

Into the sky by Thomas

Thanks to Brussels Airport and Emirates for this magnificent opportunity. It's not everyday we can welcome a new type in Belgium, and an aircraft as "exotic" as the A380, is a unique event.

[Atlantis]

Amazing pictures Kriva!!!! Well done

[Sonho1985]

Why the baptising by the fire trucks?

First flight of the airline to BRU --> no
First arrival of this type of a/c in BRU ---> no

They did't do it when UA or AA for example upgraded their BRU-routes from 767 to 777...

:eh:

[KriVa]

First commercial visit of this Aircraft type at BRU, and a special visitor beyond doubt.

[Apuneger]

Hi,

Wow, I've already seen many great pictures on this thread!

Here are some of my photos of this unique A380 experience at Brussels Airport:

Landing on RWY 25L at Brussels Airport:


Water salute by the fire brigade to welcome the aircraft:


Nose close-up:


Nice gift from Mr Jean-Pierre Martin to Mr Arnaud Feist:


Economy cabin:


Lounge bar on the upper deck, only available to business and first class passengers:


Business class:


First class:


Takeoff from RWY 25R as EK184 BRU-DXB:


Many more photos are available on this Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHskkMxqgr

Many thanks to the kind people at Emirates and Brussels Airport for organizing this unique A380 experience at Brussels Airport!

Best regards,
Ivan

[sn26567]

Stunning pictures, Thomas and Ivan! Keep them coming.

[Acid-drop]

Really good pics indeed !

[KriVa]

Very nice pictures, Ivan! I'm glad you got to see the A380 depart, anyways.

Thanks for the compliments, everybody!