Qatar Airways Is Committed To Keeping The Airbus A380 For Longer

[@delta_cosmic]

this dude is literally repairing the damage the old ceo made

[@camf7522]

IMO most A380 operators made premature decisions to remove the aircraft from their fleets during the pandemic. It also doesn’t help that Boeing is taking so long preparing the 777X for certification.

[@jaxonmattox9267]

Yep, and the A380 is almost 100 seats bigger than the 777-9, so the 777-9 is like a minimum viable replacement given its relatively small size. That is also worth remembering when people talk about the A350-1000 being competitive with the 777-9, while it is for a select market, anyone looking to maximize capacity has only one option and it isn't a great one compared to previous options like the a380 and 747

[@Jabsbshs]

Yup and it looks like 777x is getting delayed to 2026

[@jantjarks7946]

And the 777X still isn't an equal replacement.

[@filledwithvariousknowledge2747]

You say that but for some like Air France it was no mistake

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

@@filledwithvariousknowledge2747same with Thai and Malaysia. Both were bankrupt enough to keep operating the type especially in the mid-2010s. (Thai Airways was pretty much affected by the political crises that plagued Thailand in the late 2000s and 2010s. Malaysia suffered heavy financial losses and damage to its reputation. Losing 2 777s within months of each other in 2014 was a big blow. One was obviously the mystery of MH370 vanishing and the other was the tragedy of MH17 being shot down by Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine.)

[@PlaneSpotterJimmy]

The A380 still plays a huge role in airlines where capacity is high and airport slots are restricted. Take Emirates for example with its (I believe) 6 daily a380 flights to Heathrow. Without the a380, they would have to deploy like 9 Boeing 777s to match that same capacity. The a380 isnt going anywhere anytime soon

[@arienoordzij3823]

I don't know how many airplanes Qatar has on order at the moment, but I think it's a wise decision of the new CEO. You know what you have, but don't know what you get, and when!

[@lesrichings5211]

A380 with Q Suites, oh yes please. Les

[@d.b.cooper1]

Ooof that would be sensational! Especially if they price it competitively or with good points/upgrade redemptions.

[@0M1S4G4_4V]

That's a W

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

yes it is

[@managed9348]

Times 2

[@seanarmstrong8255]

Common A380 W... The super jumbo has shown the haters it's a damn good aeroplane and that flying it to busy airports was the whole point of its creation. Airlines just use it wrong.

[@filledwithvariousknowledge2747]

They change their mind about the A380 more than the amount of holiday leave days I can still take off work

[@orionwesley]

I still love Qatar's logo and livery. Very striking in today's "billboard" crazy age. Also: The new CEO seems much kinder than the last.

[@PavlosPapageorgiou]

It's cool that they designed the country's flag to match 😼

[@twobins2060]

I always enjoy flying on the A380 when travelling to Australia from the UK. In fact when I'm travelling to Melbourne in economy, I'll always fly from Doha to Sydney and choose a pair of seats in the upstairs economy cabin, then transfer down to Avalon on Jetstar. The only time I fly with Qatar direct to Melbourne is when I can travel in a Qsuite. The A380 is much quieter and comfortable than the 777 and the upstairs economy seating feels more like premium economy. Always worth going the extra mile for an A380

[@maximiliengilles4947]

Excellent news. The new CEO is intelligent, unlike Al Baker

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

It's great news for the A380! Thanks for watching! ✈️ - L

[@unggrabb]

Excellent, love A380

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for watching, we do too! ✈️ - L

[@redpandaz5146]

This is what I've thought. Airlines prefer to fly more, smaller planes, but in busy airports that's often not possible, so for those routes, it makes sense to fly fewer, larger planes

[@johnmoloney5296]

Great news for the 380

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

It sure is! Thanks for watching! ✈️ - L

[@johnmoloney5296]

@@SimpleFlyingNews still think airbus ceased production prematurely though

[@Mephala15]

Rumor has it that Qatar will lease 380s from Thai Airways and China Southern too

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

I don’t know about the ones from Thai Airways. Given that all 6 weren’t stored very well during the pandemic until now, it’s likely deteriorated fast. Not sure if Qatar’s willing to not only fly them out of BKK but also be willing to spend for the reactivation of it. (Given the advanced deterioration in the high humidity and moist environment of Southeast Asia) As for the China Southern ones, there’s 3 left that hasn’t been scrapped. (China Southern had 5 prior to retiring the type 2 years ago) if the rumours are true, then Qatar better secure them quickly from Mojave. One’s already been snatched up by Global Airlines (re-registered as 9H-GLOBL). And one’s already destined to be scrapped, leaving only 3 left.

[@smoketinytom]

I have a feeling there might be some increased discussion with Airbus to either restart an A380 NEO option or at least looking at upgrading the older engines with new engines for better fuel efficacy.

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

Maybe the RR Trent XWB would be an excellent choice for the A380neo if it needs an efficient engine that is of a similar size to the Trent 900 and GP7000 but with better efficiency and more powerful thrust.

[@Mark-uh7cr]

Yes, get the most out of these aircraft while you can.

[@derekcaan7686]

Glad to see the Super Jumbo still in the air for longer

[@adamtonkin3800]

A breath of fresh air for Qata, and a man that clearly understands what’s coming in the future with restrictions and capacity. If he can navigate the repair to QRs reputation successfully then he and the airline will have a much brighter future.

[@breathtakingblue]

If Qatar operate the A380 I'll always choose it against the 777, 787 and A350. Same with BA and Emirates... Love the A380.

[@mach1nefan]

saw a british airways A380 coming in to landing for the first time… it was amazing! like a block of flats floating in the air!

[@sejhnly]

Here in Qatar, just got off from a flight from South Korea in their Q-suite. I love the Q-suite on the A350-1000 and if I could have a chance to fly it on the A380 you can bet I will be there!

[@0ne-6right40]

Having just flown on the “Super Q” from SYD to DOH myself a month ago, I am glad that they made the decision to retain them, and that the Wifi flaw was admitted. It truely has the potential to be there longer and to be upgraded. Hopefully I can fly on another later on!

[@SkyDubai676]

i hope they add the new next gen q-suites on the a380

[@peeticek1624]

Awesome news! 🎉

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for watching! ✈️ - L

[@Certified21]

he realized the a380 looks sexy in the wqatar livery

[@ZRHTrainspotter]

Finally the Al Bakar Times are gone!

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

That is good news. I think Mr. Badar Al Meer made a good choice than what Abkar Al Baker said a year ago.

[@hungo7720]

This is a prescient and compelling decision from Qatar Airways given the delivery delays and operation issues the entire industry is confronting.

[@jantjarks7946]

Maybe we will see something in the size of the 747 or 380 sooner again than what we expect? Passenger numbers are climbing worldwide after all. But how much demand has to be there to take such a massive risk?

[@fredericmarohn-bh4qr]

THEY HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFTS PLEASE USE THEM !! A GREAT AIRPLANE WITH A WONDERFUL HISTORY , SOMETHING MOST OF THE FLYING PUBLIC REALLY LIKE!! ❤❤ THUMBS UP TO THIS IDEA GO AIRBUS❤❤

[@r12004rewy]

Qatar using the a380 exactly as in was meant to be used, but seems strange that they have 3 in storage hopefully they will be brought back soon.

[@coolx8097]

I think, the problem is that Qatar Airways seen how successfully Etihad Airways brought back its A380s, and refusing from such type, would look as losing to Etihad, not even talking of Emirates, adding the fact, that the route and passenger network of Qatar Airways is from 2 to 3 times bigger as Etihad.

[@phensriwood8081]

Airframes in storage is one thing but it would be foolish to scrap airframes.

[@wesellanybiz]

Great news!!! This realy should still be in production!! 😢

[@bikingmoments]

Curious if the A380 will be reconsidered as a twin-jet double-isle model by Airbus. A380 is a younger platform than 777 for the 400+ scales.

[@PavlosPapageorgiou]

That's why they built it after all...

[@Elliasp-xx7mb]

The Airbus A380 is an aircraft that puts passenger comfort first. Luxury airlines that value their passengers keep the A380, but those that are only in it for the money have cancelled it.

[@cskvision]

Al Meer > Al Baker. End of story.

[@John-bi1lv]

This is mostly in response to delays to the 777X's they have on order.

[@eamonahern7495]

Could this be a good or bad thing for Global? Given that some airlines are strategising with the A380 in mind, it means that there is business for the A380. But does that also mean more competition for Global and less planes available to acquire?

[@matsism]

A380 is just the first version of that airplane. More will come.

[@justin6581]

I doubt it. Just like how trijets died in 2003 with the 727, the A380 will die sooner or later. The plane industry moves all the time.

[@richardincm]

But didn't Airbus stop production, and close the production-line completely, a few years ago ? I'm sure Emirates would like an updated/more-efficient stretched-version, but it would seem VERY unlikely.

[@filledwithvariousknowledge2747]

⁠@@justin6581The widebody trijet era is almost finished as the DC-10 is almost fully retired from cargo service 10 years after the last pax flight and the MD-11 is halfway there having been alls retired from pax flights just meagrer months after the final pax DC-10 flight

[@MarkUKInsects]

@@justin6581 Sad, but true.

[@balisaani]

@@justin6581 the bottleneck in aviation is hard (landing strips and gates) and soft (pilots and crew). If flying larger capacity planes solves that issue, the "plane industry" will reconsider. It's too soon to say at this point, but it's likely Airbus executives will be loath to gamble on the A380 again. I'd have loved an A380 NEO, but I read somewhere that "the plane industry moves all the time," so who knows, back to turbo props or wooden ships to cross the oceans we may be headed.

[@carlinfante4989]

Would like to see an A380 on a U.S. route

[@DanielDoesYouTube-ze2wp]

Under 24 hours gang

[@sainnt]

What is truly going to tell what happens to their A380 is whether they invest in a new cabin. If they don't, then the aircraft remains a stop gap measure until Qatar Airways receives their 777-9s.

[@eduardodaquiljr9637]

Okay go passengers want it.

[@cabottaxi]

Glad to hear Qatar has a sensible CEO in stark contrast to its previous boss. They are probably keeping them as all airlines are struggling to get hold of new aircraft. Boeing 777x production is a complete mess.

[@loganhastings5418]

Yay

[@twobins2060]

Great news.

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for watching! ✈️ - L

[@EuropeanRailfan-AM]

Let's go

[@Sg_avation]

Yippie

[@glenncampbell6038]

They need to bring the others out of storage - the A380 is a big fan favourite & ppl will pay to fly on it

[@sundragon7703]

Never say never.

[@SydneyMTB]

yay

[@kkrsnn5632]

Yeah since 777X is delayed...

[@jwil4286]

What next? Premium Economy?

[@devonc8411]

👍👍👍

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for watching! ✈️ - L

[@bradmacley2722]

They need to refurbish it

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

True. I think the premium cabins need it most. The economy configuration are likely to remain the same as these A380s of Qatar’s aren’t very old. They only started operating the type 10 years ago in 2014.

[@Airshiw]

Yes, hopefully the same is said about the A330's and Alpha Papa Alpha, Bravo and Golf get re-activated

[@purusottambasu6225]

Golf is parked temporarily. The 8 A380s active are kept as stand by, one after the other in rotation.

[@GalaxyNokiaGames]

i can think they should do the same thing with the A320s

[@jwil4286]

The video says that they’re planning on using the A380s at slot-restricted airports. The A320 would fill up instantly if they tried to use it on such routes.

[@StarryNightGazing]

If airbus can ever manage to arrange for an updated set of engines that consume much less, with reasonable installation service, I think we might see the A380 cross the skies for a lot longer especially in the busiest routes, as we all wish as aviation enthusiasts. But I think in the current spec it is definitely not efficient enough and its mid to long term future looks dire.

[@EmotionsUnwind]

Until 777x joins the chat

[@vashonm]

A guy that understands business because the last guy was a clown

[@karlp8484]

I predicted that Al-Baker was going to get wacked over two years ago when he got into that stupid fight with Airbus (plus he's a pig anyway). He didn't realise QATAR Airlines needs Airbus a thousand more times than Airbus needs QATAR. And he was wrong about the A380. It makes money on the sectors it's *designed for,* and I know people who select flights based on if it's an A380.

[@stevenholt1867]

I prefer the Airbus A350-1000, kinder to the environment.

[@filledwithvariousknowledge2747]

The engine tech is 2 generation’s ahead

[@matth9254]

Moooooo

[@MicahtheDrumCorpsPseudoboomer]

meowwwwww

[@RurbanWalker]

Aside from Emirates Airlines, pretty much every A380 customer regrets buying them.

[@CoSmicGoesRacing]

I don’t think so. Only AF, Thai and Malaysia truly regret buying the type. The French regret it mainly on environmental grounds. The Thais and Malaysians were found to be too broke to operate it. (They were both bankrupt in the mid-2010s and the A380 was just among their money problems. MH for the fallout with the loss of 2 777s in 2014. TG just had terrible finances due mainly to the Thai political situation which affected as well Thailand’s economy and also the rise in fuel prices in the late 2000’s)

[@delta_cosmic]

this dude is literally repairing the damage the old ceo made