Skymark rolls out its first A380

Yep, you heard it right.  Japanese low-cost carrier Skymark is aiming for the international skies with the roll-out of its first A380, the biggest passenger jet in the world.  Currently, Skymark only operates Boeing 737-800s on domestic routes in Japan with A330s on order to destinations like Guam.  The carrier has stated that the new A380, which is a humongous jump from their current fleet, will be flying to undetermined destinations in the U.S.

The airline will have a lightly packed seating arrangement on their double-decker behemoths, which includes 114 angled lieflat seats in the upper deck and 240 fixed-shell premium economy seats on the lower deck.

Skymark does not have a frequent flyer program and has literally no partnerships besides a limited relationship with Delta, so their transpacific flights are not likely to attract any business travelers.  Leisure travelers in search of the best deal may find some solitude on Skymark, but it's unlikely that the discount carrier will be able to market cheap fares on an A380, particularly with a premium economy product. The A380 is easily the most expensive plane to operate, so unless I'm missing something here, these planes are bound for a quick trip to the graveyard.

114 Business class seats on the upper deck (planned to be angled lie-flat seat) 240 Premium Economy Seats on the lower deck (planned to be fixed shell) - See more at: http://boardingarea.com/ghettoife/2014/02/25/skymark-a380-rolls-out/#sthash.SGcwf77G.dpuf

The airline has six A380s on order in a very lightly packed configuration:

• 114 Business class seats on the upper deck (planned to be angled lie-flat seat)
• 240 Premium Economy Seats on the lower deck (planned to be fixed shell)

- See more at: http://boardingarea.com/ghettoife/2014/02/25/skymark-a380-rolls-out/#sthash.SGcwf77G.dpuf

The airline has six A380s on order in a very lightly packed configuration:

• 114 Business class seats on the upper deck (planned to be angled lie-flat seat)
• 240 Premium Economy Seats on the lower deck (planned to be fixed shell)

- See more at: http://boardingarea.com/ghettoife/2014/02/25/skymark-a380-rolls-out/#sthash.SGcwf77G.dpuf

The airline has six A380s on order in a very lightly packed configuration:

• 114 Business class seats on the upper deck (planned to be angled lie-flat seat)
• 240 Premium Economy Seats on the lower deck (planned to be fixed shell)

- See more at: http://boardingarea.com/ghettoife/2014/02/25/skymark-a380-rolls-out/#sthash.SGcwf77G.dpuf