Despite the countless A380 obituaries written during the peak of the pandemic, the giant aircraft is proving to be more resilient than previously thought. The latest airline deciding to bring back the superjumbo is Etihad Airways, which will deploy the type to London next summer.

Etihad wants the A380 back in action

Etihad Airways has announced that it will once again fly the Airbus A380 aircraft to meet the surge in travel demand. The airline said in a statement that it will deploy four A380s to London Heathrow in the summer of 2023, freeing up capacity for increased frequencies on existing routes and launching new destinations.

Until a few months ago, Etihad was still reviewing the business case for the A380. The airline was still undecided about the possibility of its return, but it has changed its position after witnessing a growth in passenger travel and customer feedback.

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Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman, Etihad Aviation Group, said that the plane’s reintroduction will provide a further boost to Etihad’s capacity into the key UK market, with a knock-on effect for the wider GCC and Indian subcontinent that will bring more visitors to the city of Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways Airbus A380
Photo: Airbus

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, commented,

“We have decided the time is right to return some of our A380s into the fleet to satisfy the demand which has made them financially viable once more.”

Etihad is preparing the aircraft to fly again and will also put together and train a team of pilots, cabin crew, and technical ground staff to operate the superjumbos.

What to expect

Etihad has been quick to update its official website announcing the A380s return and is highlighting all of its features once again. The three-class cabin will feature 405 ‘Economy Smart’ seats, 70 ‘Business Studios,’ and nine ‘First Apartments.’ The 405 economy seats will also include 80 ‘Economy Space’ seats that will come with a seat pitch of up to 36 inches.

 A general view of The Residence inside an Etihad A380
Photo: Getty Images

Then there’s The Residence! Etihad is the only commercial airline in the world to offer a three-room suite in the sky. The Residence features a dedicated bedroom, bathroom, and living room, allowing passengers the ultimate privacy during their flights.

Business and first class passengers will once again have access to the lounge and bar area located between the two cabins.

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Not the end of the road

Once a matter of prestige for most airlines, the A380 found itself in a tricky place during the pandemic. Airlines couldn’t wait to wash their hands of the superjumbo as demand for travel became practically zero, and other fuel-efficient planes offered better economics.

Still, many operators of the type have been cozying up to the giant plane lately. Emirates, the largest A380 operator, had never written off the aircraft and, even during the pandemic, swam against the tide and said that it plans to fly it for many more years.

A Qantas Airbus A380 aircraft in Sydney.
Photo: Getty Images

Many A380s have returned from storage in the last year, and carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Qantas are already utilizing the superjumbo on heavy-traffic routes.

Even Lufthansa is ready to reactivate at least three A380s for operation early next summer. While the A380 has definitely received some beating in the last 2-3 years, Etihad and other airlines’ decision to bring the type back means it’s not the end of the road yet for the superjumbo.

Are you excited about Etihad Airways bringing the A380 back? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

  • Etihad Boeing 787-9
    Etihad Airways
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    EY/ETD
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Abu Dhabi International Airport
    Year Founded:
    2003
    CEO:
    Tony Douglas
    Country:
    United Arab Emirates