Airbus A380: The Superjumbo's Routes as Aviation Makes a Comeback

When Airbus revealed its decision to end production of the A380 in 2019, aviation enthusiasts were heartbroken. However, they found some comfort in knowing that the iconic superjumbo wouldn’t be grounded just yet.

The A380 was expected to continue its production for a few more years, with many airlines still operating the aircraft in their fleets.

However, a year later, the A380's massive size and high operating costs became unsustainable amid the pandemic’s lean and cost-effective international flight schedules.

As a result of Covid-19, the majority of the global A380 fleet was temporarily grounded.

Lufthansa's choice to ground its A380s evolved into a permanent retirement of the superjumbos. The last A380 adorned with Air France's colors made its final flight. It soon became uncertain whether the A380 would survive the airline shutdowns.

While the A380's future may be dwindling, a few airlines are bringing the iconic aircraft back into service. Singapore Airlines plans to reintroduce the A380 on flights to London starting November 2021, while British Airways will be flying superjumbos between the UK and Europe that same month.

For those still hoping to experience the A380's uniquely spacious cabins and quiet in-flight comfort before it potentially fades into history, here’s a selection of A380 routes to explore.

Singapore Airlines

The A380's debut commercial flight took place in 2007, with Singapore Airlines operating the route from Singapore to Sydney.

Before the pandemic, Singapore Airlines had a fleet of 17 A380s. However, when Covid-19 struck, all were grounded. By November 2020, the airline decided to reduce its superjumbo fleet to just 12.

Singapore Airlines has now announced plans to bring some of its A380s back into service.

Starting November 18, Singapore Airlines will be using A380s on one of its three nonstop services between Singapore and London, as the airline introduces quarantine-free travel for eligible vaccinated passengers.

Siva Govindasamy, Head of Global Public Affairs at Singapore Airlines, mentioned that the airline acknowledges the A380's lasting appeal to passengers, which is one of the key reasons the aircraft is being brought back into service.

"The A380 is a fantastic aircraft," he said. "There are passengers who specifically choose to fly on it."

Govindasamy explained that reintroducing the A380 on the Singapore to London route makes financial sense, as the aircraft's high seat density is well-suited for routes with limited airport slots.

This move is also aligned with Singapore Airlines’ strategy of positioning itself as a premium brand, as Govindasamy highlights.

"From a branding perspective, the A380 perfectly aligns with our objectives," he added.

Regarding the A380's return to other destinations beyond London, Govindasamy mentioned that Singapore Airlines is exploring additional routes where the superjumbo could be a good fit.

"We will closely monitor the situation over the next few weeks and months before making any decisions," he said. He also noted that reintroducing the A380 on its original Singapore to Sydney route is definitely something the airline is open to.

On October 18, Singapore Airlines confirmed to Dinogo Travel that it plans to deploy the A380 on selected flights from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, starting in November 2021. This 60-minute flight is expected to become the shortest A380 passenger service in operation.

Nine of Singapore Airlines' A380s have already undergone refurbishment, and three more are currently being updated. Passengers traveling in first class on the reinstated London to Singapore route will experience the airline's luxurious suites.

Featured Route: London to Singapore – be among the first to experience the return of Singapore Airlines’ A380s

British Airways

Following months of travel restrictions across the Atlantic, the US/UK travel corridor is reopening in November, and British Airways is increasing its flight offerings in response.

The British airline has confirmed that the A380 will be part of the reopening schedule, with plans to bring back four of its 12 grounded superjumbos initially.

This winter, travelers can experience the A380's spacious interior on flights to Los Angeles and Miami, with additional services from London to Dubai starting in December.

Before the superjumbos transport British passengers to the US, they will first operate short-haul flights across the English Channel for crew familiarization, as stated by British Airways.

It’s not every day you get to fly from London to Europe on a double-decker plane, making these short flights highly sought after by aviation enthusiasts eager to grab a seat.

Booking these flights is a bit of a gamble for now, as British Airways has yet to announce which specific short-haul routes will feature the A380.

Featured Route: London to Los Angeles – the perfect winter getaway, and an ideal way to mark the return of transatlantic travel

Emirates

Emirates is the largest fleet owner of the A380. With the addition of its latest superjumbo later this year, the Dubai-based airline will operate a total of 118 A380s.

In September 2021, Emirates revealed plans to expand its A380 network to 27 cities by the end of November 2021, with destinations including Amsterdam, São Paulo, and Zurich added to the roster.

Emirates A380s feature luxurious lounges and private suites, with the added perk of on-board showers available to premium passengers thanks to the A380 Shower Spa.

A route to watch is Dubai to Auckland – the A380's spaciousness and comfort make it perfect for long-haul flights. Before the pandemic, this was the longest non-stop Airbus A380 route, covering 14,193 kilometers on a 10-hour journey.

For now, A380 enthusiasts can check out Emirates' newest route from Dubai to Istanbul, which launched on October 1. Emirates is the first airline to operate the superjumbo on flights to and from Istanbul.

Featured route: Dubai to Istanbul – a first for the A380 and a great chance to experience the superjumbo once again this year.

Qatar Airways

In Spring 2021, Qatar Airways' CEO Akbar Al Baker referred to purchasing 10 A380s as the airline's 'biggest mistake,' according to Simple Flying.

His remarks raised concerns about the future of the A380 at Qatar Airways, but with the return of international travel, the situation appears to be evolving.

Qatar Airways plans to deploy the A380 on routes between Doha and London Heathrow, as well as Doha and Paris Charles de Gaulle starting December 2021.

A representative from Qatar Airways declined to provide details on the return of the A380 or the airline's plans for the aircraft moving forward.

Suggested route: Doha to Paris – Considering the A380s were manufactured in France, flying back on a superjumbo to its origin feels fitting.

Qantas

Qantas operates 12 A380s, originally scheduled to return in 2023. However, in August 2021, the Australian carrier announced that five of its A380s would resume service sooner than anticipated.

The superjumbos will begin flying on Qantas' Sydney to Los Angeles route starting July 2022, and by November 2022, they are expected to fly between Sydney and London via Singapore.

"The A380s are ideal for these long-haul routes when demand is strong, and the high vaccination rates in both countries will help support this," stated a Qantas release.

Although two of Qantas' A380s are planned for retirement, the remaining 10 are expected to return to service with newly refurbished interiors by early 2024, depending on the pace of market recovery.

When announcing the return of the A380 in 2022, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce explained that the decision was based on the importance of the UK and US markets to the airline pre-pandemic, both of which are showing signs of strong recovery.

"We anticipate strong demand on these routes for the A380," Joyce added.

"The A380 is an exceptional aircraft that our passengers adore. The 10 aircraft we're reintroducing will feature brand-new interiors, and we expect them to remain a part of our fleet for many years ahead," Joyce remarked.

Choice route: Los Angeles to Sydney – experience a stylish return to Australia

Korean Air is currently operating an A380 on the Incheon to Guangzhou route.

Before the pandemic, Korean Air's fleet of 10 A380s was predominantly used on high-traffic long-haul routes, according to a spokesperson for the airline speaking to Dinogo Travel.

Although Korean Air's A380s no longer serve destinations like New York's JFK or Paris Charles de Gaulle, a spokesperson confirmed the airline is operating the A380 once a week on the Incheon to Guangzhou Baiyun route.

Guangzhou is also a hub for China Southern Airlines, which operates five A380s. The Chinese airline flies superjumbos weekly between Melbourne and Guangzhou, as well as on some Los Angeles routes, according to FlightAware.com.

Korean Air is in the process of merging with Asiana Airlines, which operates six A380s in its own fleet.

In a recent interview with FlightGlobal, Korean Air’s Chairman Walter Cho told Dinogo Travel that the airline's A380s will be retired within the next five years.

Although the end may be near for Korean Air's A380s, they are still flying for the time being.

Choice route: Incheon to Guangzhou – enjoy the experience of flying on Korean Air’s A380s before they retire.

All Nippon Airways

In 2019, Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) unveiled its first A380. A second superjumbo followed soon after, and by October 16, ANA will operate three A380s when its third 'Flying Honu' joins the fleet.

All Nippon Airways’ A380s are possibly the most unique of their kind, with each aircraft painted in bold, bright colors to resemble Hawaiian sea turtles. This design nods to their primary route from Tokyo Narita to Honolulu, Hawaii, where 'Honu' means sea turtle.

Although ANA’s A380s are not flying to Hawaii regularly at the moment (a Boeing 747 is handling that route), the airline is exploring options to operate the A380 on the Narita to Honolulu route during peak travel seasons. In August, the A380 completed two roundtrips on this route.

ANA's A380s have also been used for domestic charter flights, including 'flights to nowhere,' and have even served as pop-up restaurants.

The upcoming ANA A380 charter flight is scheduled for October 30, departing from Narita to Shimojishima. Meanwhile, Tokyo residents can enjoy dining at ANA's A380 pop-up restaurants throughout October and November.

ANA informed Dinogo Travel that it is carefully monitoring demand, as well as immigration policies and health regulations set by governments, to determine when the A380 can return to regular service.

Choice route: Tokyo to Honolulu – stay alert for any updates and get ready to fly to Hawaii aboard the most vibrant A380 in the skies.

Top image credit: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images