Airbus A380

As the newly selected Boeing Fellow, I have a duty to be critical of the rival's latest product. And so I will begin.

Immediately upon boarding, I could feel the sweltering heat. Though I had just boarded the Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore, it felt like I was already in the tropics though the plane was still grounded and delayed by almost quarter of an hour due to congested traffic. This is probably more due to the overcrowding at Heathrow, which was still fighting with a run-down and leaky Third-World-Class Terminal 1... or perhaps the fact that Heathrow was still getting adjusted to the baggage handling problems of the brand-new Terminal 5 building, which had cost a fortune, and managed to lose 25,000 lugguages and cancel 5000 flights in its first days of operations. You would think the world's largest and newest airliner should enjoy priority in taking off, certainly as compared to the other planes on the tarmac, my plane was dwarfing in size and awing to look at. But we were queing at position number seven, before we could hurtle down that runway.

So you could almost see the heat move in the cabin, and moments later I learned from the captain that the air conditioning system had "malfunctioned". The ground staff could not repair the problem, so the 500plus passengers were left sweating in their seats, fanning themselves with whatever pieces of paper they could get their hands on. It was not until we had reached a good cruising altitude that the temperatures in the minus fifties managed to cool the cabin down.

I picked up the In-Flight entertainment system, and was at first glance impressed that there was even the opportunity for those busy travellers to do word-processing, manage their pictures and even some PDF-file reading in the comfort of their own seats. But a few hours into the flight, while trying to jump between the number of movies that were on offer, the TV malfunctioned. I quickly turned off the TV, but it would switch on again automatically and display the "blue screen of death". It was as if the screen was toying with me, and after a number of times turning the thing on and off, I was left feeling very embarrased that I had clumsily just broken something on Singapore Airlines' flagship aircraft. I swear I am normally not such a technology retard.

Luckily for me, all the TV needed was a few hours to cool down, and it seemed to miraculously repair itself. In the meantime, I entertained myself by walking around the double-decked airplane and the later pride of Airbus, and catching glimpses of the wing flap that my very own brother had been involved in designing.

And to be honest, this is where the criticisms end. I was in love with the airplane even before it made its first debut flight back in October 2007, and I had especially flown to London to take advantage of what currently is only one of two routes operated by Singapore Airlines with the new Airbus A380. Admitted, there were delays after delays as cash-strapped EADS (parent company of Airbus) tried to assure investor that the plane would be delivered ontime, but the wait was worth it. A maginificent flying giant with a wingspan of almost 80meters and standing at almost eight storeys high, it was impressive just to look at. I was filled with pride and felt like people were oogling me as I boldly entered the specially-designed departure gate.

I had chosen my seat online, and decided to sit on the main-deck, right next to the window overlooking the wing. My brother had specially asked me to take pictures of the flaps that would retract and extend during take-off and landing, and it did feel somwhat comforting that that very vital piece of the plane was designed by him.

It was difficult to imagine how this 500 tonne machine could ever take-off, but take off it did, with such grace and so little noise. Normally, other planes at take-off would make hideous gargling noises as the engines power up and swallow all the energy that they could muster for this critical moment of flight. But for the A380, and four Trent900 engines, it was like a breeze. After racing for a few moments, the plane gently lifted off of the ground, as you could see jets of air make their way over the wings. I could have slept through the whole procedure, if it were not for the fact that I was sitting directly above the landing gears that made a loud thumping noise as it retracted shortly after lifting off. Plane-spotters on the ground looked on with awe as we took off and banked almost a complete circle to follow the correct direction towards Asia.

In the cabin that was longer than the rival Boeing747 by more than a meter, the seats were comfortably placed in a 3-4-3 configuration, which meant even in Economy Class, there was plenty of leg room, and plenty of space to resist the incursions of over-weight passengers next to you. The cabin was warmly lit and had a modern feel to it that was accentuated with modern-art paintings that hung on the bare walls. The lighting system can even dim or intensify gradually for the passengers to stir from their sleep before breakfast could be served. The seats could be leaned back quite a lot, and this did not come at great discomfort to whoever was unfortunate to sit behind you. The table in front of you had even a little mirror you could use to do your make up; essential for the vain international law student who needs to look his very best at all times.

Unfortunately, for those sitting on the lower deck we could no go upstairs. But from pictures, I could see how grand and luxurious the new Suites were, which allowed those who could afford it the comfort and privacy of a personal compartment. Cheap students, even those with a scholarship in Air and Space Law, had to make do with coach class, but it was no less a pleasant experience.

Twelve hours the flight took, and I do not think I managed to sleep much. Most likely due to the excitement of being the first person I know to have the privilege of flying such a modern and beautiful plane, but partly also because it was 'morning' for me. And in those rare moments when I could get a little wink, the stewardesses had come around to sell the sought-after models of the A380, which by the time I had woken up, were unfortunately all sold out.

But my pictures and own experience were mine alone, and mine alone to take with me at all times.