Why The Airbus A380 Is Making An Unlikely Comeback

The Airbus A380 made its first commercial flight in 2007. When it debuted, it overtook the long reigning Boeing 747 as the world’s biggest passenger plane. It has four engines and is a full double-decker that can carry over 800 people depending on the airline.
The plane’s huge number of seats was seen as key in helping to free up the air traffic overcrowding at several big airports such as London’s Heathrow, New York’s JFK and Chicago’s O’Hare.
But orders for four engine aircraft began to decline alongside the arrival of more fuel-friendly planes such as Airbus’s own A350 and Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
The European plane maker Airbus announced an end to its A380 superjumbo program just 12 years after it first took to the skies. During the Covid-19 pandemic it was one of the most heavily impacted fleets due to its sheer size and cost to operate it, along with a near-halt to international long-haul travel. Many said it was the end for superjumbos, but the A380 has been making a comeback with several airlines pulling planes out of retirement.
Airbus expects the A380 to be flying for the next two decades and is currently still being operated by 10 airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways and British Airways.
CNBC explores how the A380 became the biggest passenger plane in the world and what the future looks like for the massive jet.
Chapters:
2:44 Development
6:32 Commercial service
9:53 Challenges
11:33 The future
Produced, shot and edited by Erin Black
Additional Camera by Maggie Petrova
Animation by Gene Kim
Supervising Producer Jeniece Pettitt
Editorial Support by Leslie Josephs
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Why The Airbus A380 Is Making An Unlikely Comeback

[@Xg78]

Long haul on the A380 is another world. It‘s so calm in the skies. I‘ve never experienced that on other planes.

[@mrd9421]

When you enter the economy class on the A380, you don't feel 'cheap.' There is a sense of 'respect' for passengers. Thank you, Emirates, and other carriers, for showing some 'respect' to passengers.

[@sarkarabhik]

I have flown on A380s and they are truly comfortable and quiet. But, what takes my breath away (almost everyday, might I say), is to see these beautiful mammoths take off. And even after all these years, if I see one up close at an airport, I get excited. It truly is a marvelous piece of design and engineering!

[@AvroBus]

I've been flying the A380 as a Captain for EK since 2012; without doubt the best aeroplane I've flown in thirty five years of professional flying. As a passenger there is no comparison for space, ride quality, noise levels and overall comfort! If Airbus had any sense they would reopen the production lines! This is the most iconic jet airliner since Concorde!

[@roadbeef]

The girth of this ship aids so much in passenger comfort. Even in economy behind the engines, the cabin is quiet. Magnificent.

[@shaunmckenzie5509]

Best plane I've ever been on. Soooo much smoother and quieter than other planes. You can barely feel it take off and it just feels so roomy.

[@chucku00]

I never saw a comment section being so unanimously enthusiastic about the subject of a video, and so many people being glad to experience travelling in a vehicle of any kind.

[@dfolt]

I have flown on the A380 several times, and although I love the iconic and elegant design of the 747 very much, the A380 is so much quieter for the passenger that one has to conclude that no other aircraft offers such a level of comfort.

[@MrJimheeren]

Flying the A380 is the best flying experience in the world. There is literally nothing like it

[@Elliasp-xx7mb]

the A380 is a real pleasure to fly with 🤩

[@sumosupremeking360]

I work at an airport and I see this airbus A380 several times throughout my shift, and I still have to stop and just look at it for a moment. It is a beautiful aircraft the engineering behind it is just miraculous.

[@shardulthakur7362]

Absolutely love this aircraft. 16 hour flight from Dubai to Lax and slept for 8 hours. Never been able to sleep on flights before for more than 30min. So quiet and smooth in air for long haul, it’s a shame it’s not great success economically but engineering vise it’s a masterpiece. Emirates is doing the right thing, economy on this plane feels luxurious. Would never fly any other aircraft for long haul until this plane retires.

[@AcTua98]

Took this A380 on Lufthansa Boston to Munich and it was just such an amazing experience felt no turbulence what so ever! it felt like it was in charge of the skies.

[@paulbessell6154]

The A380 is the only plane I will 'look' to fly on when travelling from the UK to the US. I plan my bookings around it. Wonderful aeroplane.

[@wickedpawn5437]

I have 3 million airmiles. I'll never forget my first A380 flight in June 2010, London to Singapore. I flew economy, but it was the best food and entertainment I've ever had on an airplane. I watched movies, even took a business course, watched unreleased music shows. I was sad when the plane landed. Singapore Airlines and the A380 gave me the best flying experience of my life.

[@margaretcaine4219]

The A380 is far and away the best aircraft I've ever flown in. Whisper quiet, spacious and even in turbulence, its sheer size seems to shrug off the feeling of bouncing around. A really beautiful plane.

[@user-yc2oz8kc5k]

The A380 maybe is not a commercial success, but it indeed is a marvel of technology. I wish Frank Whittle, the Wright Brothers, and countless other aviation pioneers had been alive today to see it.

[@dreamzzz610]

A380 is the best experience currently. Once you have flown in it, you would not want to fly on another plane

[@thwales2520]

Went on an Emirates A380 from Manchester to Dubai a few times and honestly, you can barely hear the engines and it is such a pleasant and comfortable ride, one of the best planes to fly on when doing long-haul as you do not feel discomfort at all

[@longochu8588]

Flying in A380 is a super quiet and luxurious experience. Boeing 747 definitely paved the way, and I wish a new B747 (maybe twin engine?) can come back alive.