Airbus A380: 5 Things To Know Before Your First Flight On The Superjumbo

When you think of iconic aircraft, the Airbus A380 undoubtedly comes to mind. This giant of the skies, born in the 1990s to challenge Boeing's 747, has carved out a unique place in aviation. While it hasn't matched the commercial success of its American rival, the A380 has proven itself to airlines and passengers alike. And though there was a time it's future looked uncertain, today the A380 continues to soar. Nicknamed the King of Capacity, the A380 is the largest passenger aircraft ever built, seating up to 853 passengers in a three class layout. That's a staggering number, especially compared to its predecessor, the Boeing 747. Known as the Queen of the Skies, the A380's full length upper deck is what gives it this unrivaled capacity. Despite no US airlines operating the A380, it still visits major cities like Los Angeles, Miami and Boston thanks to 10 global carriers. Emirates leads the pack, responsible for nearly 58,000 of the over 86,000 flights the A380 will operate this year. Singapore Airlines and British Airways follow with just over 5000 flights each. Many think the A380 is only built for long haul flights, but it's also flown on shorter routes. For example, Emirates uses it between Dubai and Riyadh, a flight that's just over an hour. On the flip side, it's also used for ultra long routes like Singapore to London, taking nearly 14 hours With a near perfect 4.8 rating on flight, Raider 24 passengers love the A380. It's spacious cabin, smooth ride, and luxurious features like showers on Emirates make it a fan favorite. Despite its massive size in four engines, the A380 cruises at 488 knots. It's powered by either Rolls Royce Trent 900 or GP7200 engines, both offering incredible performance and reliability. So, what do you think? Does the A380 still have a bright future in the skies? Let us know in the comments.