Airline Liveries
The worlds largest passenger aircraft with two full-length passenger decks. A engineering marvel that can carry over 500 passengers in typical configurations. Though production ended in 2021, it remains the flagship of several major airlines.
Passengers
525-853
Range
9,196 mi
Cruise Speed
561 mph
First Flight
2005
Did You Know?
The A380s two passenger decks have a total floor area of 550 square meters, equivalent to three tennis courts.
History & Timeline
Key Milestones
Program Launch
On December 19, 2000, Airbus officially launched the €9.5 billion A380 program, the most expensive commercial aircraft development in history. The gamble: that airport congestion would force airlines to carry more passengers per flight rather than add more flights.
First Flight of the Superjumbo
On April 27, 2005, the A380 took off for its maiden flight from Toulouse, France. With a wingspan of nearly 80 meters, it was the largest commercial aircraft ever built. The successful flight was a triumph of European aerospace cooperation.
Entry into Service with Singapore Airlines
On October 25, 2007, Singapore Airlines flight SQ380 became the first commercial A380 service, flying from Singapore to Sydney. Tickets for the inaugural flight were auctioned for charity, with one selling for over $100,000.
The End Announced
On February 14, 2019—ironically, Valentine's Day—Airbus announced it would end A380 production after Emirates reduced its order. The superjumbo dream was over. Only 251 aircraft would be built, far short of the 750 needed to break even.
The Final Delivery
On December 16, 2021, Emirates received the last A380 ever built. The airline operates 123 superjumbos—nearly half of all A380s ever delivered—making it the aircraft's most important customer and biggest champion.
Development Story
The Secret Project to Dethrone the 747
Airbus engineers began secretly developing plans for an ultra-high-capacity aircraft in 1988. The goal was audacious: build a plane bigger than Boeing's iconic 747 and break the American monopoly on the jumbo jet market that had lasted two decades.
The Joint Venture That Never Was
In 1993, Airbus and Boeing briefly considered joining forces to develop a new superjumbo together. They studied the market potential but reached different conclusions. Boeing believed the future was in smaller, point-to-point aircraft. Airbus bet on bigger planes for hub airports. The joint venture collapsed, and both companies pursued their visions separately.
Why It's Called the A380
The aircraft was renamed from A3XX to A380 for two reasons: the number 8 resembles the aircraft's distinctive double-deck cross-section, and 8 is considered a lucky number in many East Asian cultures—key markets Airbus was targeting.
The Wiring Nightmare
The A380 program suffered a devastating setback when engineers discovered that cables inside the fuselage were too short. The problem: different Airbus facilities across Europe had used incompatible versions of their design software. The fix required 530 kilometers of wiring to be rerouted by hand, delaying deliveries by two years and nearly doubling development costs to €25 billion.
Interesting Facts
A Flying Palace
Some airlines, particularly Emirates and Singapore Airlines, configured their A380s with extraordinary luxury features: onboard showers, private suites, and bars. Emirates' first-class suites include personal minibars, vanity mirrors, and lie-flat beds. No other commercial aircraft has offered such opulence.
Legacy & Impact
Commercial Failure, Engineering Marvel
The A380 never recovered its €25 billion development cost and is widely considered a commercial failure. Yet it remains a remarkable engineering achievement—the largest passenger aircraft ever built, beloved by passengers for its quiet, spacious cabins. Its story is a lesson in how even technical brilliance cannot overcome a fundamental misreading of market trends.
Technical Specifications
Performance
- Range
- 14,800 km (9,196 mi)
- Cruise Speed
- 903 km/h (561 mph)
- Service Ceiling
- 13,137 m (43,100 ft)
Dimensions
- Length
- 72.7 m (239 ft)
- Wingspan
- 79.8 m (262 ft)
Capacity
- Passengers
- 525-853
- Cargo Volume
- 175 m³
Engines
- Engine Count
- 4x RR Trent 900 or EA GP7200
- Manufacturer
- Rolls-Royce / Engine Alliance
- Thrust (each)
- 374 kN
Weights
- Max Takeoff (MTOW)
- 575,000 kg (1,267,657 lbs)
- Fuel Capacity
- 320,000 L (84,535 gal)
Takeoff / Landing
- Takeoff Distance
- 2,900 m (9,514 ft)
- Landing Distance
- 2,100 m (6,890 ft)
Commercial
- Total Orders
- 251
- Delivered
- 251
- List Price
- $445.6M
History
- First Flight
- January 1, 2005
- Status
- Out of Production
Airlines Operating This Aircraft
Emirates
World's largest A380 operator
British Airways
Flagship aircraft
Singapore Airlines
Suites and premium
Qantas
Kangaroo Route
Lufthansa
Hub feeders
Qatar Airways
High-capacity
Korean Air
High-capacity
Etihad Airways
Premium routes
All Nippon Airways
Flying Honu
More from Airbus
Sources
Data compiled from the following sources:
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D
Wikipedia - Airbus A380
MTOW: 575,000 kg - 30% higher than 747-8i
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D
Specs Dir
Fuel capacity: 81,890 liters noted, actual ~320,000 liters
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M
Airbus Official
251 aircraft delivered, production ended
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N
Simple Flying
Trent 900: up to 374 kN, GP7200: 363 kN
M Manufacturer D Aviation Database N News