Airbus A380: Where Superjumbo Flying as Aviation Returns

(CNN) – When Airbus announced plans to cease production of its A380 aircraft in 2019, heartbroken aviation fans found solace in the fact that the superjumbo wasn’t ready to fly anytime soon.

Production of this much-loved aircraft was to continue for a few more years, and many airlines had active A380s in their fleets.

But fast forward a year, and the A380’s hefty size and steep operating costs had no place in the pandemic’s minimal, cost-effective international flight schedule.

Thanks to Covid-19, most of the world’s A380 fleet was put on hold.

Lufthansa’s decision to park its A380 turned into the German carrier permanently retiring the superjumbo. The last A380, decked out in Air France livery, made its final flight. It was unclear whether the A380 would survive the shutdown.

But while the days of the A380 are undoubtedly numbered, some airlines have announced plans to bring the plane back into the air. Singapore Airlines will reinstate A380 flights to London on November 2021, with British Airways flying superjumbo to Europe from the UK in the same month.

If you’re still hoping to experience the spacious interiors and quiet flying experience reminiscent of the A380 before the plane is a thing of the past, here’s our round-up of airline A380 routes to check out.

Singapore Aviation

The first commercial voyage of the A380 was in 2007 during a trip from Singapore to Sydney via Singapore Airlines.

Pre-pandemic, Singapore Airlines had 17 A380s. They were all grounded when Covid-19 hit, and in November 2020 the airline announced plans to reduce its superjumbo fleet to 12.

Now Singapore Airlines has revealed plans to return some of its A380s to the skies.

Govindasamy said Singapore Airlines recognizes the A380’s enduring appeal for passengers, and that is why the airline is returning the aircraft to rotate.

“The A380 is an amazing aircraft,” he said. “Some people book an A380 specifically to fly on it.”

Govindasamy said reverting the A380 to a London to Singapore route makes economic sense, as the aircraft’s seat density lends itself well to routes where airport slots are limited.

The decision is also part of Singapore Airlines’ “premium positioning”, as Govindasamy calls it.

“From a brand perspective, the A380 ticks a lot of boxes for us to really operate it,” he said.

In order to reinstate the A380 for destinations outside London, Govindasamy said Singapore Airlines is currently looking at other routes that may well be served by superjumbo.

“We will continue to monitor it very closely over the next few weeks and months before making that decision,” he said, adding that returning the A380 to its native Singapore to Sydney route is something the airline “won’t say”. . “

Preferred Route: London to Singapore – Be one of the first to experience the return of Singapore Airlines’ A380s

British Airways

After months of transatlantic travel restrictions, the US/UK travel corridor is set to reopen in November and BA is scaling up its flight schedule accordingly.

Passengers will be able to enjoy the comfortable interior of the plane en route to Los Angeles and Miami this winter, as well as travel from London to Dubai in December.

But according to a statement from BA, before ferrying British passengers on the long-awaited jaunts of the Superjumbos to the US, they will first hop over the English Channel on some short-haul flights “to allow familiarity of the crew”. .

It’s not every day you travel from London to Europe on a double-decker plane, so AvGeeks will be doing its best to secure seats on these one-time flights.

Booking on these routes is tentative for now, as BA has not yet confirmed which short-haul flights are operating the A380.

Way of choice: London to Los Angeles – the perfect winter vacation, and what a way to return on a transatlantic journey

Emirates

Emirates is the largest operator of the A380. When Emirates’ latest superjumbo joins its fleet later this year, Dubai-based airline 118 will be home to the A380.

On board Emirates’ A380s are luxurious lounges and private suites, and premium passengers can even take a shower on board thanks to the A380 Shower Spa.

Dubai to Auckland is the way to go – the size and comfort of the Airbus A380 make it ideal for long-distance travel, and pre-pandemic, Dubai to Auckland was the longest Airbus A380 non-stop route. Emirates planes cover a distance of 14,193 kilometers in this 10-hour journey.

Route of choice: Dubai to Istanbul – the first for the A380 and the opportunity to return to the Superjumbo this year.

Qatar Airways

The statement left many concerned for the future of Superjumbo at Qatar Airways, but as international travel grows, the landscape is changing.

According to the airline’s online schedule, Qatar Airways plans to operate the A380 between Doha and London Heathrow and Doha and Paris Charles de Gaulle from December 2021.

A Qatar Airways spokesperson declined to comment on the return of the A380 and the airline’s future plans for the plane.

Route of choice: Doha to Paris – The A380 was assembled in France, so returning to a superjumbo where it all began seems appropriate

Qantas

Superjumbo is set to operate Qantas’ Sydney–Los Angeles route from July 2022, and should be crisscrossing between Sydney and London via Singapore from November 2022.

While two Qantas’ A380s are scheduled to be retired, the remaining 10 should all be back in service by early 2024 with newly fitted interiors, according to the airline’s statement, which said at the time. “How quickly the market recovers will depend on it.”

“We expect the demand for the A380 to travel on these routes to be very strong,” he said.

Joyce said, “The A380 is a great aircraft that our passengers love. The 10 aircraft we are bringing back will have all-new interiors and we expect them to be part of our fleet for many years to come. “

Preferred Route: Los Angeles to Sydney – Australia retreat in style

korea wind

A Korean Air spokesperson told CNN Travel that prior to the pandemic, Korean Air’s 10 A380s were used “primarily on long-distance routes with high traffic volumes.”

While Korean Air’s A380s do not currently fly to New York’s JFK Airport or Paris’ Charles de Gaulle, the plane’s two former airports, a Korean Air spokesperson confirmed that the airline is currently operating from Incheon to China. is operating an A380 to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. one week.

Guangzhou is also the hub of China Southern Airlines, which has five A380s. According to FlightAware.com, the Chinese airline is currently flying weekly superjumbo between Melbourne and Guangzhou, as well as on some flights to and from Los Angeles.

Korean Air is in the midst of a merger with Asiana Airlines, an airline that owns six A380s.

Korean Air’s A380 days may be numbered, but they’re still around.

Route of Choice: Incheon to Guangzhou — Experience Korean Air’s A380 for as long as you can

All Nippon Airways

All Nippon Airways’ A380s are perhaps the world’s most exclusive superjumbo, each painted in vibrant colors similar to Hawaiian sea turtles, a nod to their flight route from Tokyo Narita, Japan to Honolulu, Hawaii. “Honu” is the term used for sea turtles in Hawaii.

A spokesperson for All Nippon Airways told CNN Travel that while its A380s are not currently flying regularly to Hawaii – Boeing 747s are currently operating on that route – the airline is “flying the A380s over Narita”. Looking for opportunities.” – Limited peak season days to Honolulu routes.” In August, an All Nippon Airways A380 flew from Narita to Honolulu on two roundtrips.

ANA’s A380s are also flying domestic charter flights – so-called “flights to nowhere” – and they have been used as pop-up restaurants.

ANA told CNN Travel that it is “closely monitoring demand as well as immigration guidelines and public health measures implemented by the relevant government” to determine when the A380 will return on a more regular basis. can.

Preferred Route: Tokyo to Honolulu – Keep an eye out for any announcements and board the most luxurious A380 to Hawaii

Top image credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images