The Emirates A380 is here to stay for nearly 20 more years. Emirates is the worlds largest operator of the Airbus A380 and fans of the product received great news this week at the Dubai airshow. The mighty Emirates Airbus A380 is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
The UAE carrier has confirmed it will continue flying the superjumbo until the 2040s, unlocking another two decades of its flagship double-decker jet experiences. Meaning the showers in the sky and the dedicated bar are here to stay, keeping Emirates opulent business class and first class product available for many more years to enjoy.
During the Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced purchases for several new planes including the Boeing 777x. The Boeing 777x will be the world’s largest passenger aircraft when launched, but still smaller than the A380. The new 777x can hold upwards of 426 passengers, vs the A380 which can be configured with over 800 passengers. Still a huge difference in size.
Confirming Emirates plans, Emirates President Sir Tim Clark told reporters “We currently expect to fly them until at least 2041, as there will not be a similarly large replacement by then”
Does Sir Tim Clark really think a super jumbo will return? Most airlines have ditched large planes for smaller ones offering more point to point options and more frequencies. Time will tell.
Until then, you will be ale to continue to step on board an Emirates A380, and find yourself in a world of luxury and comfort. The airline has spared no expense in ensuring that every aspect of the passenger experience is meticulously curated. The first-class suites are equipped with private cabins, sliding doors, and fully flat beds, creating a haven of tranquility at 40,000 feet. Business class passengers enjoy lie-flat seats, while even economy class is a cut above the rest, featuring wider seats and a carefully designed cabin layout to enhance comfort for long-haul flights. See my review of the A380 First class to LAX
Emirates A380 Plans
The A380 is here to stay, but some will still be retired in the coming years. Currently, Emirates has 104 A380. The first A380 was delivered in 2008. The last ever produced A380 was delivered in December 2021. The newest models to join the fleet are only a few years old while the early delivered ones are already getting close to timing out. For example, In February 2020, Emirates retired its first Airbus A380 (registration A6-EDB) after nearly 12 years of service.
Going forward, 83 superjumbos A380 will enjoy a makeover. Each plane will receive a refresh across every cabin class. These planes will also gain Emirates’ new premium economy. This will help harmonize the fleet and bring Premium economy onto 99 A380s.
Sir Tim Clarke continue to talk about the A380’s future, as Emirates truly loves this plane. “Our continued commitment to and confidence in the A380 are why we’re investing heavily to keep the fleet in optimal shape and pristine condition…The A380 will remain core to our network and customer proposition for the next decade, and we want to ensure our fleet is in tip-top shape. “
To do so, Emirates is also investing over US$1.5 billion in keeping the A380s flying. This comes after Airbus shut down new production and Emirates needs to ensure a way to keep spare part available.
Bottom Line
Emirates is keeping the A380 and continues to invest in the product to ensure that it offers among the best products in the sky. The A380 will continue to fly through at least 2041 based on current planning. Emirates will also fly next-generation aircraft including the B787, B777x and the A350 from 2025 and beyond. Yet, until the 2040s, the showers in the sky are here to stay!
