Airbus A380-800

The flagship superjumbo that redefined long-haul travel

Qatar Airways – Airbus A380-861 © Martin Oertle

Overview

Airbus France ICAO: A380 2007–Present $445.6 million (2018)

When Airbus introduced the A380-800, it changed what passengers expected from long-haul flying. With two full-length decks, unprecedented cabin space, and room for lounges, bars, and suites, the world’s largest passenger aircraft became a symbol of modern aviation — massive, quiet, and unmistakably iconic.

Live Fleet Activity (A380)

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Specifications

Units
Engine
4 × Engine Alliance GP7270 / Rolls-Royce Trent 900
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
4 × 81,500 lbf · 363 kN
Avionics
Thales Rockwell Honeywell Combo
Wing tips
Wingtip fences
Seats
853 economy · 480 business · 416 first
Crew
—
Cabin width
21 ft 7 in  ·  6.58 m
Cabin height
9 ft 10 in  ·  3.00 m
Cabin length
166 ft 3 in  ·  50.68 m
Exterior length
238 ft 7 in  ·  72.73 m
Tail height
79 ft 8 in  ·  24.27 m
Fuselage diameter
23 ft 5 in  ·  7.14 m
Wing span
261 ft 10 in  ·  79.81 m
Baggage volume
6,710 ft³  ·  190.0 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
1,268,000 lb  ·  575,000 kg
Max landing weight
871,000 lb  ·  395,000 kg
Max payload
192,000 lb  ·  87,000 kg
Fuel capacity
85,500 gal · 323,500 L · 258,800 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
587 kt  ·  676 mph  ·  1,087 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
135 kt  ·  155 mph  ·  250 km/h
Range
8,000 nm  ·  9,210 mi  ·  14,820 km
Fuel burn
0.10 nm/gal  ·  0.05 km/L
Ceiling
43,000 ft  ·  13,100 m
Rate of climb
1,500 ft/min  ·  8 m/s
Takeoff distance
9,000 ft  ·  2,750 m
Landing distance
5,000 ft  ·  1,520 m
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Airbus A380-861 Emirates

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Operational Context

Airbus A380-800 — The World’s Largest Passenger Airliner

The Airbus A380-800 is the baseline and best-known version of the A380 family, designed to carry large numbers of passengers on high-density long-haul routes. Launched in the early 2000s and first flown on 27 April 2005, the A380-800 entered commercial service with Singapore Airlines in October 2007, marking a new era in widebody travel.

Built with a double-deck, wide-cabin layout, the A380-800 can typically seat 500 to 600 passengers, though high-density configurations can exceed 850 seats. Airlines customized its spacious interior with innovations ranging from first-class suites and onboard showers to social lounges and bars, helping the superjumbo earn a reputation for quiet, comfortable, long-range travel.

Powered by four high-thrust engines — either the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or the Engine Alliance GP7200 — the A380-800 delivers a smooth ride with the performance needed for intercontinental missions. With a range of roughly 8,000 miles (≈15,000 km), it can fly nonstop on some of the world’s longest routes, connecting global hubs such as Dubai–Los Angeles, Sydney–Dallas, and Singapore–London.

More than 250 A380-800s were delivered to airlines including Emirates, Qantas, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and others. Emirates became the type’s largest operator by far, building its brand around the A380’s comfort and prestige.

Although Airbus ended A380 production in 2021 due to shifting market trends favoring fuel-efficient twin-jets, the A380-800 continues to serve as a passenger favorite. Its size, quietness, and unique onboard experience secure its legacy as one of the most remarkable airliners ever built.