#superjumbo

Airbus A380 Qatar Airways

Registration: A7-APG Type: A380-861 Engines: 4 × GP7270E Serial Number: 193 First flight: Jun 6, 2016

Qatar Airways' decision to acquire the Airbus A380 was made in the context of a large-scale fleet modernization program that unfolded in the first decade of the 21st century. An order for ten aircraft was placed at the Le Bourget Air Show in 2007. By 2018, all ten Airbus A380s had taken their place in the airline's fleet.

The operation of Airbus A380s at Qatar Airways was deployed on strategically important long-haul routes with high passenger traffic intensity. Among the priority routes were flights to London – one of the airline's busiest routes. Paris became another European destination where Qatar Airways actively utilized its A380s. In the Asia-Pacific region, A380s operated on routes to Bangkok, Guangzhou and, most notably, to Sydney and Melbourne – Australian metropolises that traditionally see high demand from travelers around the world.

The year 2020 became a severe test of resilience for the entire global aviation industry. The COVID-19 pandemic devastated passenger traffic, closed borders and called into question the very model of super-large wide-body aircraft. Qatar Airways' management repeatedly expressed skepticism about the prospects of four-engine giants during the height of the pandemic.

But the story of the Qatari "Super Jumbos" was not quick to end – a new chapter awaited. As international air travel recovered in 2022-2023, Qatar Airways faced an unexpected situation: demand on certain key routes not only recovered but exceeded pre-pandemic levels. A global tourism boom, pent-up demand for business travel, and the hosting of the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar created conditions under which the large capacity of the A380 once again made economic sense.

Of the original fleet of ten aircraft, two did indeed leave the airline. However, the remaining eight A380s were returned to active service, proving Qatar Airways' ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Airbus A380 Asiana Airlines

Registration: HL7634 Type: A380-841 Engines: 4 × RR Trent 972-84 Serial Number: 179 First flight: Dec 17, 2014

Asiana Airlines is a South Korean airline headquartered in Seoul, founded in 1988. It began operations in 1991 and soon became the largest airline in South Korea. Asiana operates more than 90 international and 14 domestic passenger routes, as well as 27 cargo routes to major cities in Asia, Europe and North America. The company is a member of the Star Alliance.

The Asiana Airlines fleet has wide–body Airbus A330, A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft, which are used for long-haul flights, as well as narrow-body Airbus A320 and A321 for shorter routes.

A special place in the Asiana fleet is occupied by the largest aircraft, the Airbus A380. Their large capacity helps the airline cope with the huge passenger traffic in some destinations, the densest of which is Los Angeles. These winged giants travel overseas twice a day, providing over 30,000 seats per month.

In total, the airline operates six A380 aircraft, and in addition to Los Angeles, these aircraft operate flights to Narita and Kansai airports in Japan. And although these routes are much shorter, the high density of their passenger traffic makes it possible to fully load such giants as the A380.

All Superjumbos have 12 first class suites, 66 business class seats and 417 standard economy class seats, which ensures a comfortable journey in any direction.

Airbus A380 Emirates

Registration: A6-EVG Type: A380-842 Engines: 4 × RR Trent 972 Serial Number: 256 First flight: 18 Oct 2018

Emirates is flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates. Based in Garhoud, Dubai, the airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is owned by the government of Dubai's Investment Corporation of Dubai. It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating flights from its hub at Dubai International Airport. It operates to more than 150 cities in 80 countries across six continents on its fleet of nearly 300 aircraft. Emirates is the world's fourth-largest airline by scheduled revenue passenger-kilometers flown. Emirates operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft. It is the largest Airbus A380 operator.

Airbus A380 Malaysia Airlines

Registration: 9M-MNC Type: A380-841 Engines: 4 × RR Trent 972-84 Serial Number: 084 First flight: 14 Mar 2012

Malaysia Airlines Berhad, branded and operating as Malaysia Airlines, is the flag carrier of Malaysia. The airline is headquartered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Malaysia Airlines flies to destinations across Europe, Oceania and Asia from its main hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Malaysia Airlines traces its history to Malayan Airways Limited, which was founded in Singapore in the 1930s and flew its first commercial flight in 1947. In 2011, Malaysia Airlines proceeded with its order of 6 Airbus A380 aircraft to envision a solution for the slot constraints the airline faced with few European routes. Nine years later, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline decided to retire and return all 6 of its grounded Airbus A380 aircraft.

Airbus A380 Emirates

Registration: A6-EEV Type: A380-861 Engines: 4 × GP7270E Serial Number: 150 First flight: Dec 10, 2013

The history of Emirates Airlines began in 1985, when Dubai decided to establish its own air carrier. It was a time of great change. The main airline in the region at that time, Gulf Air, began reducing its flights to Dubai. Noticing this opportunity, the ruling dynasty of the emirate, under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, decided it was time to act.

The first step was modest: Emirates leased two aircraft from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). These were a Boeing 737-300 and an Airbus A300B4-200. PIA assisted the new company with staff training and technical support. On October 25, 1985, the first flight took place, from Dubai to Karachi and then to Bombay (now Mumbai).

With a budget of only $10 million and a strict condition to operate without government subsidies, Emirates had to quickly learn to survive in a competitive environment. Under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airline grew rapidly. By 1986, new destinations had been added: Colombo, Dhaka, Amman, and Cairo.

Today, Emirates can boast of having one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the aviation industry, consisting exclusively of wide-body aircraft. Emirates is the world’s largest operator of the Airbus A380, with a fleet of 116 of these double-decker giants. These aircraft have become the backbone of Emirates’ long-haul operations, particularly on routes to the world’s largest airports — Heathrow in London, Kennedy in New York, and Sydney in Australia.

Airbus A380 Lufthansa

Registration: D-AIMK Type: 380-841 Engines: 4 × RR Trent 970 Serial Number: 146 First flight: Oct 14, 2013

Deutsche Lufthansa AG, commonly shortened to Lufthansa, serves as the flag carrier of Germany. When combined with its subsidiaries, it stands as the second-largest airline in Europe in terms of passengers carried. Lufthansa is also one of the five founding members of Star Alliance, which is the world's largest airline alliance, formed in 1997. Lufthansa's registered office and corporate headquarters are in Cologne. The main operations base, called Lufthansa Aviation Center, is at Lufthansa's primary hub at Frankfurt Airport, and its secondary hub is at Munich Airport where a secondary Flight Operations Centre is maintained. The company was founded as Luftag in 1953 by staff of the former Deutsche Luft Hansa. Luftag continued the traditional branding of the German flag carrier by acquiring the Luft Hansa name and logo.