End of an era: when Qantas, Emirates will retire the A380
Two of the first airlines to fly the superjumbo are now planning ahead for its last flight…
By David Flynn, July 7 2023
Qantas and Emirates are preparing to phase out the mighty Airbus A380, the plane which revolutionised commercial air travel with fancy first class suites, inflight showers, bars and lounges.
But lovers of the superjumbo experience will still have many years to make the most of the double-decker, which is enjoying a resurgence of popularity on the back of a post-pandemic travel boom.
Both airlines began flying the A380 in 2008 – one year after launch customer Singapore Airlines – and now expect their superjumbos to be retired within the next ten years.
Incoming Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, speaking on the sidelines of an aviation industry gathering in Istanbul last month, said the airline’s ten remaining A380s would make their exit over the next decade.
This will dovetail into the ascent of the Airbus A350 from late 2025, when Qantas begins its ambitious nonstop Project Sunrise flights to the likes of New York and London, with the possibility that a second tranche of A350s beyond the initial order of 12 will both grow the Sunrise network and help replace the 485-seat superjumbos.
Qantas is upgrading its remaining A380s with new business class seats and lounges.
Boeing 787s are expected to take other international routes under their wing, with Qantas keen to add more non-stop flights to destinations such as Chicago, Seattle and Paris.
Superjumbo stalwart Emirates, which remains the A380’s largest customer and staunchest supporter, also sees a similar timeline for the end of its globe-spanning A380 fleet.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark confirmed at the same Istanbul gathering that the Gulf colossus would fly its A380s into the next decade but begin retiring them in 2032.
Over 100 A380s with Emirates’ distinctive four-colour tail spear out from its Dubai hub and were essential for the airline’s ‘hub-and-spoke’ model which before the pandemic shuttled over 50 million passengers each year between all corners of the globe.
The A380 was integral to Emirates' success.
And while Emirates plans to bolster its post-superjumbo fleet with more Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s – on top of a current order for 50 A350s and 117 777X series – Clark remains convinced that Airbus should have pushed ahead with a next-gen A380 rather than shutting down the program in 2019.
“As you know, I’ve been bemoaning the absence of the A380,” Clark said, citing its ability to carry around 500 passengers on the world’s busiest routes.
“I have six A380s going into Heathrow at a 95% seat factor, and in the absence of a third runway, which I don’t think will happen, I shudder to think what’s going to happen.”
The cocktail bar and shower suites are signature touches of the Emirates A380 experience.
While Air France and Thai Airways scuppered their A380s during the pandemic, Lufthansa has recently resumed flying its long-grounded A380s, with Etihad Airways due to follow on July 22.
Qatar Airways has also recanted on what its CEO Akbar Al Baker once described as “the biggest mistake” in the airline’s history, bringing eight of the ten-strong A380 fleet out of mothballs in November 2021 for key destinations including London, Paris, Sydney, Perth and Bangkok.
However, those A380s will finally meet their inevitable fate over the next few years as more Airbus A350s arrive, followed by Qatar’s own Boeing 777-9 jets sporting a new Qsuite business class, although without first class.
26 Mar 2020
Total posts 65
The new A350s and 787s are actually really uncomfortable to fly in - cramped seating and more narrow fuselage.
I prefer the 777 over A350 or 787 - a more spacious fuselage tends to result in little more width in your seating.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
13 Feb 2016
Total posts 9
In the last 2 days I have travelled SYD-SIN and SIN-YVR with SQ in J. The former in an A380 (new version) and the latter a brand new Long haul version of the A350.
I actually think the A350 is a better hard product than the 380 and found it much more comfortable. The flat bed is certainly better designed in the 350.
I agree the A350 and 787 regional business class product is cramped and uncomfortable. Occasionally I fly out of BNE to SIN and they use regional A350’s on that flight which is best avoided where possible.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Aug 2022
Total posts 4
Total agree pretty cramped around feet area too when you are lying down
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 104
Having just returned from CDG to Melbourne via Doha, the first leg of which was on an A 350 followed by a final leg on the B 777. Talk about chalk and cheese. The A 350 is on par with its bigger brother in comfort, quietness and ride. Time to give the B 777 the flick with its ear piercing engines, bumpy ride and noise; and that was in J.......Imagine sitting well behind the engines!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2015
Total posts 15
I found the Finnair A350 with their sofa in the sky concept remarkably comfy and also no middle bins spacious. Just my 2 cents
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Oct 2015
Total posts 15
I found the Finnair a350 comfy and spacious with their sofa in the sky seats and no middle overhead bins - just my two cents
07 Jul 2023
Total posts 1
I'm guessing it comes down to money and the A380 is just not economical to run, despite the fact that more planes are required to move the same amount of passengers, and airports only have so many slots available.
I wondered the same thing when Qantas retired their 747s. To me, the numbers just didn't add up then as more planes (thinking of the 787 now) would be required to move the same number of passengers.
If I'm wrong, or there is more to it, please enlighten me. Thanks
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 159
What are they thinking - $$$$$
The A380 is a spacious and comfortable jet to travel in when compared to the smaller and higher density A350's and 787's planed to replace them. Give the public some comfort and stop looking at the bottom line all the time. Profits over comfort every time despite the feedback. Just look at the floor plan of QF's proposed A350's for a 20+ hr flight - there's no room to swing a mouse.
Comfort over profits please!!!!!!!!!!
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 4
The Qantas A350-1000 has the lowest seat count of any A350-1000 operator in the world.
11 Sep 2018
Total posts 17
Not sure which 777's you've been flying in but the SIA A350 was by far the most comfortable and quiet flight i've ever taken (Was Singapore to Barcelona).
Yes the A380 would still trump this but the 787's and A350's both trump any 777 i've been on.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 28
Travellz
I agree with your comments. Flew 777 from Doha to Istanbul great flight with Qatar 6 weeks ago, Return flight with Qatar A350, even though Q suite preferred to 777 So when Q gets there A350 I will be using other airlines
07 Dec 2016
Total posts 12
Travellz I could not agree more, specifically with the 787 which I have flown on a number of times long haul in Business and still decidedly uncomfortable for me a 5' 9' giant! The A350 I have only flown short haul/regionally and whilst comfortable for that duration it is not something I would choose to do long haul unless the configuration was better.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 100
It’s a real pity ETOPs rules changed. It meant the bean counters finally had their day. The A380 is truly my first choice when I travel long haul. Spacious, higher ceilings, quiet and stable. I’m sorry to see it go
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2019
Total posts 9
Yes a sad day when the last one is retired ,, they were an great replacement for the 747 ,,a leader back in its day
09 May 2020
Total posts 552
While there is no doubt the A380 will still go in the not so distant future, I sure hope to travel as often as possible in one of these
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1432
Ten years is still a while away….
American Airlines - AAdvantage
02 Jun 2019
Total posts 18
The A380's demise seems premature, many will see 2030. Now if another pandemic or economic event happen many will be grounded and many never fly again. Qantas will fly them until they have enough A350-1000 to replace them because they don't want to short long haul airplanes.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Jan 2015
Total posts 34
Qantas' A380's are going to be around for years. As Vanessa Hudson says, "will make their exit over the next decade" which I understand to be from 2030 onwards as planned ....correct ?
And many of Emirates A380's have only just been delivered over the past couple of years so they will be around for longer.
So no need to panic, we can all still catch a ride on these beautiful birds for a long time yet.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 637
Sage counsel, PTCruiser, good call.
30 Jul 2019
Total posts 18
Mitch W you are so right the regional SIA A350 are the worst aircraft i have ever flown in the seat so uncomfortable and cramped.
i am a sq fan but this plane is a big disappointment as is their beer offer just tiger and Heineken absolute disgrace.
18 Aug 2017
Total posts 41
Flew Melbourne to Sin to Helsinki and return in J in the old A380 to Sin and then the A350 900 and return
The A380 with the old skybeds were far more comfortable than the A350, to turn over I had to wake up and withdraw my feet from the whole roll over and then stretch out again, just so much more comfortable in the A380 with the extra bins for storage and the ability to walk around the cabin.
It is streets ahead of the A330 I flew in recently
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