Official: British Airways A380 Returning To Service!

Maybe more (any) first class rewards seats availability? There are none currently.
Much bigger bathrooms.

Well I'm excited, though as you suggested it's mainly because I'm travelling in economy (to MIA). Got 2 sets of pair seats in the upper deck with the extra storage, a better arrangement than most of the potential replacement planes.

But yeah, if I was further forward it'd be 'meh'.

In what way does the BA A380 provide a "superior economy class experience"?

I know it’s a love hate relationship with BA’s old Club World seat and it doesn’t compare to the new version but I have always found it comfortable, reliable and functional.

BA's A380 provides a "superior" experience? Enlighten us please.

What's with all the bloggers going wet over the a380. Sounds very hail corporate. It's just a plane type, calm down

I'm so excited to see the A380 coming back to MIA. I live under the departure/final approach path so it will be so amazing to see the A380 here (just like the Swiss A340 and LH747).

As for BA's other routes, will the DXB flight be replacing their A350 flight (which would mean no more club suites)? And I don't ever recall BA ever operating their A380 to DXB. Can T1 handle an A380, or will they depart out of T3 with Emirates?

Also, the Dallas flight used to get a 787-10 with club suites as well, so the A380 will be changing that as well.

They are avgeeks at heart, and avgeeks love them some widebodies. I'm the same way with the 747 and, to a lesser extent, the A380.

"I'd say the real winners are the economy passengers..."
So, basically, 90% of flyers. Let's keep that in perspective! And it is indeed better in economy than other fleet types; having flown them all, I'd happily chose the A380 any day.
Also, I'm excited that it's going to DFW; that was historically a 747 route, and has since been a 777 or 787 route.

Yeah, I just took the 777-200 business from LAX to LHR a couple weeks ago. I'm definitely not excited about this... but I guess shareholders will be.

I'd say, going from a 10-abreast economy on a 777 to a 10 on the lower floor or an 8-across on upper cabin of the A380 (especially window seats with extra storage) is generally a better experience.

Airbus is not a fan of its 380. Boeing is not a fan of its 747. Both manufactures will never build bigger is better aircraft. Also 4 is not safer than 2. Jets are considered bombs hanging on the wings If they could they would build single engine aircraft. The old ETOPS engines turn or passengers swim is the old hat recips where engines would fail due to 1000s of mechanical problems rocker arm or piston or valve or ring or jug or igniter or mag anything and every thing can and will go wrong engines. Engine are bombs the fewer the better.

Are there some really solid economy seats? Figured upper deck in the back the 2 along the window are great probably not filled and cool to sit upper in 2-4-2 than a 3-4-3. Since there is no chance my upgrade on AA will clear figured id rather fly economy on the BA 380 than an AA 773.

Any idea how long the DFW flight use the A380? They used to fly a 747 on the route, and lately it was supposed to be swapped to a shiny new 787-10. Love seeing the A380 over DFW, and have missed it since Qantas buttoned up.

Apart from a percieved resentment you have towards British Airways, it reflects very poorly on you if your major consideration for a six hour flight is having a shower during that time and the rest of the time in a bar/lounge drinking . In the first case your personal hygiene problems are something you should discuss with your doctor and secondly a visit to AA may be required . I trust I am not being too facetious / flippant .

Your negativity is not impressive. Considered therapy?

Hey Sean Doyle!

I am BA cabin crew and have mixed feelings about the A380 return. BA systematically makes cockeyed choices in many areas. The airlines that have dumped the A380 are not foolish low level players. BA always thinks whatever it does and whatever choices it makes must be good. Many are not and reversals are never publicized. In IFCE (cabin crew department) it is the crew who eventually and on limited occasions have foolish ideas reversed or altered that cost a lot of money. The A380 is a whopper of an expense at a time we are being pushed to the absolute limit.

BA's Premium Economy on the A380 is very nice. I have flown LHR-LAX several times. Premium Economy is on the upper deck.

Your trust is misplaced.

The a380s return to service are gradually going well!

I was checking availability of F awards between US and UK yesterday. They are basically nonexistent. Assumption here is hopefully there will be many more soon.

Same, not sure why they are having issue with gate space at DFW, there is a clear spot for the a380 with the double ramp still in place. Really hope this opens up and the a380 returns to dfw, plus it would be a big improvement on AA if you are flying in economy to lhr.

Yes

I love the A380 especially Emirates version with the bar which makes the long flight from Australia to Dubai and then onto Europe a much better experience. Hopefully Emirates will bring them back on the Australian routes once the country reopens.

I am booked on BA from LHR to JFK next August and am hoping they keep the 777 with the new business seats/suites and don't swap it to an A380. While I remember seeing the old BA business class lie flat seat about 18 years ago and thinking how great it was but wouldn't want to fly it now given a choice.

Anyone know if BA are going to install the new seats on the A380?

Does anyone know the BA flight numbers for the A380 flights to Frankfurt?

Qantas has flown A380s DFW-SYD-DFW, so it is possible

Sitting in the T3 Galleries lounge at LHR and just watched a BA A380 tow by. 🙂

BA have added an A380 service on LHR-SFO too btw. Flight BA 284

Adam

And after getting rid of thousands of loyal long standing staff they are now rehiring ?? Ermmmmmm

Club Suites on the British Airways A380 would be awesome. Along with putting doors on their first class (like on the newest 77Ws) and a new onboard lounge (pub?). Unlike many others, their home Heathrow is congested and they’re going to need those whales for a while. Hopefully plenty of time to retrofit.

While this article focusses on the BA A380 hard product, the soft product should not be overlooked as this can make or break the flight experience.
In this regard BA has been notoriously inconsistent like, forever. When they're bad they're really bad, but when they put in a bit of effort they shine, so I hear.

Cool for those who love the A380. I don't think the A380 is sustainable long-term and nor do I find it an exceptional aircraft, but it's nice to see the joy it brings to those who adore it.

BA's A380 has the worst first class bathrooms I've ever come across on an aircraft. In fact same on all their planes in first.

I am waiting for BA to reintroduce Calgary, which is probably seasonal.

Can anyone remember what dates they had as their season pre-Covid?

Thanking you in anticipation.

One of the QF A380s landed back in Australia a few days ago. LAX to Dresden then onto Sydney.

Yes, but it was in Dresden for extensive maintenance, not just a stopover. It then flew non-stop from Dresden to Sydney, another of the Qantas' series of ultra-long flights over recent months. Qantas made a big deal of the significance of the first of these jets returning to Australia.

My wife and I are booked BA LHR to San Francisco, and return, in June/July 2022 on BA285/284 and these are showing as A380.
So, that looks like a wider remobilisation of the A380 fleet.

Just flew to MAD to fly on the A380 for my first time. Last minute equipment change to A320. Please kill me.

The A380 benefits mentioned only relate to the inside cabin experience, but there is much more to enjoy from the A380: A very quiet cabin resulting in peaceful tranquility, such a comfortable and peaceful place to be. A spaciousness and open airy cabin with room to move around. And, an extra large airframe that can adsorb turbulence better than smaller airframes. It’s not only cabin decor and service, the airplane itself offers much more

I would love to fly in the A380. Any chance it will fly out of NY or Boston Aany time soon?

The A380 is not flying the LAX-LHR route effective Jan 10, per ba.com.

I'm flying on an A380 in a couple days, and I am Incredibly exited, my family are flying in business on the upper deck forward cabin!