![The A380 superjumbo update](https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1679916453/articles/tINOvI2Jz1680089027213/THE-A380-SUPERJUMBO-UPDATE.jpg)
The A380 was initially conceived back in the 90s, when hub-to-hub travel looked to be gaining prominence. Able to carry up to 853 passengers if configured in all-economy, the plane offered attractive economics to airlines looking to maximise limited slots at busy airports. Roomy interiors and a novelty of engineering also made it particularly popular with passengers.
The first A380 aircraft was delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2007, and there have been 14 customers for the double decker superjumbo. Emirates is the biggest operator, having taken delivery of just under half (123) of the 251 superjumbos built.
However, as the aircraft came to market, an industry shift towards lower-capacity, direct routes, coupled with the aircraft’s expensive running costs, meant it quickly fell out of favour. In February 2019, Airbus began to wind down production of the aircraft, and Emirates took delivery of the final A380 in December 2021.
The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent global travel slowdown led many A380 operators to either place their superjumbos in storage or retire them completely. It looked like that was it for the giant aircraft.
However, as demand for flights rebounds after the pandemic at the same time as delivery delays of new aircraft, airlines are starting to take another look at the A380, and existing fleets are gradually coming back into service.
Here we round-up the latest situation regarding the A380 fleets across all 14 operators.
Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de Business Traveller UK.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 de Business Traveller UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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![Cathay Pacific A350-900, business class LONDON-HONG KONG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/CyzDaqtAc1719838044589/CATHAY-PACIFIC-A350900-BUSINESS-CLASS-LONDONHONG-KONG.jpg)
Cathay Pacific A350-900, business class LONDON-HONG KONG
BACKGROUND Cathay Pacific serves this route with the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350. Both aircraft feature the Safran Cirrus seat in business class.
![COMO Metropolitan Singapore](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/b79xgyk1J1719837897845/COMO-METROPOLITAN-SINGAPORE.jpg)
COMO Metropolitan Singapore
BACKGROUND Singaporean brand COMO Hotels and Resorts launched its first property in its home country in September 2023, integrating its lifestyle and wellness brands into the hotel space.
![Voco Auckland City Centre](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/wTMrXvqRY1719837773574/VOCO-AUCKLAND-CITY-CENTRE.jpg)
Voco Auckland City Centre
BACKGROUND New Zealand's first voco hotel opened its doors in May 2022.
![Anantara Grand Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/CwUiqF_8i1719837640879/ANANTARA-GRAND-KRASNAPOLSKY-AMSTERDAM.jpg)
Anantara Grand Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam
BACKGROUND Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas opened its first hotel in the Netherlands in 2022, though the property has been part of Minor Hotels group since 2000 - most recently as a 451-room NH Collection property.
![Locke am Platz, Enge, Zurich](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/dRiD8Fetx1719837466953/LOCKE-AM-PLATZ-ENGE-ZURICH.jpg)
Locke am Platz, Enge, Zurich
BACKGROUND Locke is a design-led serviced apartment brand from hospitality company edyn. It launched in 2016 and has properties in Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Berlin and Munich (see businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested).
![AEGEAN A320neo, business class ATHENS-LONDON HEATHROW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/__Rsdsowv1719837311963/AEGEAN-A320NEO-BUSINESS-CLASS-ATHENSLONDON-HEATHROW.jpg)
AEGEAN A320neo, business class ATHENS-LONDON HEATHROW
BACKGROUND Greece's national flag carrier celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The Star Alliance member has launched a fourth daily service to Heathrow along with new flights to Sarajevo and Vilnius.
![Iberia confirmed as A321XLR launch customer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/YoJWHDoWw1719837172196/IBERIA-CONFIRMED-AS-A321XLR-LAUNCH-CUSTOMER.jpg)
Iberia confirmed as A321XLR launch customer
IBERIA WILL BE THE FIRST carrier worldwide to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR (Xtra Long Range') later this year.
![BRITISH AIRWAYS INTRODUCES DISCOUNTED THAMES CLIPPERS FARES TO LONDON CITY AIRPORT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/-Ec3FlGS01719837096812/BRITISH-AIRWAYS-INTRODUCES-DISCOUNTED-THAMES-CLIPPERS-FARES-TO-LONDON-CITY-AIRPORT.jpg)
BRITISH AIRWAYS INTRODUCES DISCOUNTED THAMES CLIPPERS FARES TO LONDON CITY AIRPORT
BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS LAUNCHED a new partnership with the Thames Clippers service, offering customers discounted fares to London City Airport.
![BRITISH AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO IVALO AND TROMSØ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/4GZ5rP6ka1719837059948/BRITISH-AIRWAYS-TO-LAUNCH-FLIGHTS-TO-IVALO-AND-TROMS.jpg)
BRITISH AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO IVALO AND TROMSØ
BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS ANNOUNCED new winter routes to Ivalo in Finland and Tromsø in Norway.
![Your attention, please](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/Y79yD3od61719836648032/YOUR-ATTENTION-PLEASE.jpg)
Your attention, please
After a string of recent turbulence fiascos, we chart the history of the inflight safety video to see if the latest crop is up to the task...