GEEK ALERT: if you visit this website often, you’ll know how much we love technology, especially aircraft.
We’ve recently written that one of the giants (literally) of the skies, the Airbus A380 might be heading off into the sunset, to fly no more. As the world gets smaller and aircraft get better (ie: better fuel efficiency, smaller in size, but better at accommodating more passengers and having longer range) and can fly into smaller airports, the need for the Airbus380 and Boeing 747 being to seem a bit long in the tooth, and not viable.
Well, after the pandemic, that thinking has changed.
Both Qantas and Emirates plan to see Airbus A380s return to the skies by the end of 2023 as demand for international travel – both from outbound Australia, Middle East and inbound overseas visitors – rebuilds to approach pre-COVID levels.
One factor that has driven this decision is that, although the super-jumbos are bigger planes, they also allow more passengers to embark and disembark at airports that have limited gates and slots for aircraft to land. Thus, the big birds still have some life in them.
We’re happy about this. Flying in aircraft like these are a one-of-a-kind experience and not to be missed. Try to seek an opportunity when you book tickets. Qantas, Emirates, China Southern, ANA, Korean Air, Asiana, British Airways, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Etihad are all still flying the A380, but this could change.
