By DPA
Singapore : A seat on the maiden commercial flight of the A-380 attracted a bid of $10,200 Wednesday as hopefuls from around the world sought to board the largest passenger plane.
It was the highest bid for a one-way, ultra-first class seat, followed by $8,159 for a business-class ticket, since the Singapore Airlines (SIA) charity auction started late Monday on eBay, the online marketplace.
With seats available for couples, groups of four and a block of 10, the auction brought a top bid of $11,311 for a pair of business class seats.
Eager to boost their chances of being on board the double-decker jet, many submitted multiple bids.
The first full day of bidding attracted 1,000 bids and the second was expected to attract at least that many. The charity auction lasts for two weeks.
The auction has caught on worldwide, said an SIA spokesman. “Winners will be notified immediately” once the results are known.
The first A-380 is scheduled to be turned over to SIA on October 15 at a ceremony in Toulouse, France, delayed for nearly two years by production problems. SIA has ordered 19 of the superjumbos.
The inaugural flight from Singapore to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport is scheduled for October 25, to return the following day.
Nearly three-quarters of 471 seats across three classes are available for bids. Seats are being auctioned on both legs of the flight.
As for the yet-to-be-unveiled first-class suites, the spokesman said, “These are very limited in number. We expect very strong interest.”
The double-decker A-380 can accommodate more than 800 passengers.
Bids started at $3.80 for a one-way economy class ticket. Business class bids began at $38 and $380 for the suites.
A one-way economy ticket from Singapore to Sydney normally costs about $780, and $3,290 for business class.
All the proceeds of the auction will be donated to charities including Doctors Without Borders, two children’s hospitals in Sydney and the Singapore Community Chest.
Fares for the A-380 have not been announced. Scheduled service will start on the Sydney route soon after the first flight.