China Southern's first A380 to enter service on 15-Oct-2011

China Southern Airlines stated (20-Sep-2011) its first of five A380s will enter commercial service on 15-Oct-2011, according to a Shanghai Daily report. The aircraft has been conducting the final phase of flight and ground tests since 16-Aug-2011. China Southern will become the seventh operator of the A380. The aircraft is configured with 506 seats in a three-class lay-out with eight first, 70 business and 428 economy class seats. The aircraft will initially be deployed on the Beijing-Guangzhou sector from 17-Oct-2011 to 26-Oct-2011 and on Beijing-Shanghai from 27-Oct-2011 to 29-Oct-2011 in a test operation, before being deployed internationally. The carrier's second A380 is undergoing cabin refurbishment at present. [more - original PR]