While remaining one of the most recognisable aircraft currently flying, the A380 has evolved in the ten years since its debut. Mark Broadbent explores how it has changed and considers the logistics of operating Europe’s super jumbo.
On a recent winter day in northern Britain, a couple on a train looked out of the window. An Emirates Airbus A380 came into view, approach lights glinting. The man, unprompted, suddenly said to his partner, “A380,” pointing to the airliner as it flew overhead on its approach into Manchester Airport.
The A380’s size, four engines and twin passenger decks obviously make it stand out, but this moment, witnessed while preparing this article, showed how even after ten years’ service the A380 can still catch the public’s eye.
The A380 is the largest passenger airliner currently flying. Since its entry into service (EIS) in October 2007 with Singapore Airlines (SIA), the operational fleet has completed more than 500,000 revenue flights and carried more than 190 million passengers.
Airbus delivered 242 A380s between EIS and March 2020. Fifteen airlines operate or have operated A380s (see table), with Emirates the lead. Stuart Rubin, principal at industry consultancy ICF, speaking before the coronavirus outb…
