The surprise return of the A380 superjumbo – and its impact on luxury travel

But Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Japan’s ANA and Etihad, Abu Dhabi’s national carrier, all turned around at 39,000 feet and reintroduced the A380. (Only Air France and Malaysia Airlines stuck to their original decision.)

Additionally, airlines that have stuck with the A380 have improved it. Singapore Airlines has revamped its superjumbos, even introducing double beds in Suite Class at the front of the upper deck. Qantas’ A380s now have a business class suite designed by designer David Caon and a bar in the nose of the aircraft. British Airways CEO Sean Doyle recently announced that his airline’s 12 A380s will be refitted with a new Club Suite on the upper deck and a new First Class, also likely on the upper deck, rather than down below as is currently the case.

Global Airlines, a newcomer to the airport sector, recently bought its first A380, which it flew from the US to Prestwick in Scotland for a refurbishment. Global founder James Asquith wants to use a fleet of A380s to “take passengers back to the golden age of air travel”, starting with flights from London to Los Angeles and New York. The former investment banker is refurbishing the first of four superjumbos he bought with his investors to create a large onboard bar. First-class ticket holders will be chauffeured to the airport on Global flights. Food and drink will be “the best at 36,000 feet” and will include Laurent-Perrier champagne, even for economy passengers, he promises.

A total of 145 Airbus A380s are back in the air, spread across 10 airlines, according to aviation analysts ch-aviation.

The A380 is back thanks to the double whammy of surging demand and constrained fleets. A new plane that many airlines had hoped would replace it, the Boeing 777X, the world’s largest and most efficient twinjet, is years behind schedule. It should have been in the air by now, but it was delayed by a combination of post-Covid supply chain issues and Boeing’s top executives’ desperate efforts to save the company’s ailing 737 Max, which diverted attention from new plane development.