The shock comeback of the A380 superjumbo8 Jul 2024 21:04
The shock comeback of the A380 superjumbo – and what it means for luxury travel. Interesting article, all good news for , Airbus and RR
Christian Scherer, the head of Airbus’s civil aircraft division, sparked excitement last month when he suggested that the European plane-maker might resume production of its four-engine A380 double-decker superjumbo. Airbus scrapped production of the $450 million “king of the skies” in 2021 after airlines opted for smaller, more fuel-efficient twin-engine jets. But Scherer told the German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt that while the door to the A380 production line “is closed, it is not locked. In industry, nothing is ever ruled out
The reason for his teasing announcement? The A380 is enjoying a remarkable comeback. When Covid struck, many airlines decided to scrap “the big bird” because, with fuel costs rising and predictions that demand for business- and first-class travel would crater post-pandemic, most figured the behemoth would be unprofitable. Premium seats may only account for one quarter of the double-decker but they generate three-quarters of its operating profit.
But Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Japan’s ANA and Etihad, the Abu Dhabi flag carrier, have all done a U-turn at 39,000ft and re-introduced the A380. (Only Air France and Malaysian Airlines have stuck to their original decision).
What’s more, those airlines which remained committed to the A380 all along have improved it. Singapore Airlines has refurbished its superjumbos, even introducing double beds in Suites Class at the front of the upper deck. Qantas’s A380s now boast top designer David Caon’s business-class suite and a bar in the nose cone. British Airways’ chief executive, Sean Doyle, recently announced that his airline’s 12 A380s will be refitted with the new Club Suite on the upper deck and a new First Class, also likely the new Club Suite on the upper deck rather than downstairs as it is now.
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