Emirates is operating the A380 at least until 2035

In 2024, Emirates received its first Airbus A350 and has pending orders for more than 200 Boeing 777X aircraft. This raises the question of what Emirates will do with their flagship aircraft, the Airbus A380. Even though the A380 is no longer in production and some airlines are retiring these planes, Emirates plans to operate the A380 for at least another decade—at least until 2035.

There are several valid reasons why Emirates has chosen to retain the superjumbo in their fleet while other airlines are letting theirs go. As the largest operator of the A380, with 116 in its fleet serving more than 40 destinations, Emirates sees significant value in keeping these aircraft.

One compelling reason is the “wow” factor for customers. The Emirates A380 fleet features amenities such as showers and a spacious lounge that serves bottomless signature wines and liquors—an experience that is unparalleled in airline travel. It can truly be described as a flying hotel, reminiscent of a grand ship.

Another important factor involves slot-constrained airports. Many major airports have become congested, making slots extremely valuable. Airports like Frankfurt, Paris, London Heathrow, and Singapore are experiencing significant slot limitations, and the A380 allows Emirates to maximize capacity without the need to request more slots or frequencies. This is particularly beneficial given the high gate rentals due to strong demand for limited slots. Furthermore, we should consider the expected growth in air travel, which is projected to increase by 3 to 4% year-on-year alongside a growing global population. Building new airports and additional gates takes time, and major airports are struggling to keep pace with this rising demand.

By retaining the A380, Emirates can continue to meet passenger needs without having to secure more slots. The Airbus A380 remains highly valuable to Emirates as they anticipate a surge in travel. With airports growing more congested and slot availability decreasing, the airline intends to keep these aircraft in service for at least the next decade.