AvGeeks Rejoice: Emirates Pushes Off Airbus A380 Retirement Into The 2040s

extending the life of the A380s means that EK has a huge number of aircraft to be delivered before the last A380 leaves the fleet.

EK's 777X orderbook alone is more than sufficient to double the capacity flown by the A380 fleet.

extending the life of the A380 gives some insight on EK's real "need" for the 777-10, or perhaps more realistically, how long it might take before EK receives them.

and while Emirates has lots of experience with the A380, the fleet could still be grounded earlier due to maintenance issues including material fatigue issues.

and let's also be clear that the A380 is very fuel inefficient; EK wanted a "NEO" version of the A380 because of new engines are much more efficient. While every other widebody in its fleet will likely be new generation powered in less than 10 years, EK will have the least fuel efficient widebody fleet among large global carriers for years to come. Even United will have retired its 777s and 767s by the time EK retires its A380s.

CASM. The A380 is actually extremely efficient, if you can fill it at a decent price, which Emirates can

Ahhh no even if Boeing gives the green light to the 777-10 and Airbus to the A350-2000 neither can match the massive A380 inteior space.

Oh noes. Poor ORD_is_my_second_asylum when he sees this news is going to be so upset...

With 500 plus seats, yes. But most A380s aren’t configured with that many seats.
The A380 has space for all of the extras like bars and showers that don’t work on other planes. That is why Emirates wants to keep the A380 even at much higher fuel cost

Yay! Business on EK a380 is excellent. First is outstanding, especially the shower. Glad to hear this will still be a thing for decade(s) more.

@Tim - a full order book is worthless when Boeing can't deliver a single 777-9 or 10. ER is going to keep these planes in the air to keep making money.

In a interview Tim Clark said that once the A380's load its at 57-58% they are making money.

That's probably dependent on the Business cabin being filled. I wonder how the break even point differs between the 2/3 and 4 class A380s

Speedbird, "CASM."

And UAE. Emirates cares about fuel costs about half as much as airlines not based in oil rich monarchies.

In actuality, how long can a commercial airframe remain viable? The B-52 bomber has been around for 70 years with airframes to match. Granted, many less takeoff - landing cycles. Assuming engines are maintained and airframes are scrupulously inspected, cant these birds fly for 40 years or more?

Ronnie,
and yet EK is by far the largest customer for the 777X. If EK is hedging their bet about WHEN the 777X will get certified by keeping A380s, that is one thing. and if there is real doubt about the 777X even getting certified, it makes zero sense to argue incessantly about the 35K which is the next largest airplane - and it is flying and it is also new generation, something the 380 will never be.

Ivan,
and that data point proves that EK could fill smaller planes including 777-300ERs with the same amount of revenue but wants the space to offer unique services like showers which just don't work on smaller planes. As Ben notes, EK's brand is wedded to those features even if only a part of their fleet have them.

oil prices are at near historic lows when adjusted for inflation all around the world.
EK, at least on its public books, pays market rates for fuel

The ROI on new aircraft today is not about lower fuel costs but about greater performance and lower maintenance costs.

Emirates is owned by the state of UAE. You might of heard they have plenty of this stuff called oil and very cheap labor. Such mundane cost items as fuel and maintenance labor costs don't bother them or their "financial statements" like airlines in the real world.

I wouldn't say upset. I'd prefer that this abomination disappear tomorrow, but EK owns the frames and they've put significant investment into them. What I'm upset about is the spasmodic reactions of the Airbus fanboys out there. A lot of my hatred for the Whale comes from the Airbus fanboys pimping their product by denigrating the 747. Once the Queen, always the Queen.

and you can't accept that EK is run as a commercial business.

They pay market rates for oil.

It will be a wonderful day when you can accept facts as they really exist instead of your twisted manipulations of the world which only exist in your mind.
EK is a commercial business and succeeds on that regard, not because of state aid.

Sure they do. And market rates for labor just like the rest of UAE and many other Gulf oil states? See Kafala system.

Enjoy the shower. I can understand why one would need one buying a ticket on such an airline.

might *have heard

By 2049 we may even see a 777X in commercial service.

Flew on a SFO to DXB leg last week. The flight was 100% packed. Emirates just makes it convenient and has such a coverage that most destinations in the world are on a one-stop journey.

Great news!
One thing I have always wondered is why nobody talks about the better sleep you get on an a380 over a small jet like the 321 across the pond. Just because there is a flat bed, I always get a better sleep on the large a380 because it seems to shake less with turbulence. Am I the only one who finds this?
Maybe there are other factors I am not thinking of but always better rested on an a380.

I have repeatedly noted that the Gulf has been built on low cost labor esp. from S. Asia; the ME3 have used the cruise ship model for staffing. that is why comparisons of profitability between the ME3 and other global airlines are meaningless given that most countries are highly protective of keeping airline jobs primarily for their own citizens

none of which changes that EK does pay market rates for fuel which are very low right now; the cost to fly old generation aircraft using old technology engines is low right now but maintenance costs continue to grow.
and there is no assurance that the A380 won't develop major structural flaws in time.

and let's also keep in mind that the A380 will remain in service for only as long as Airbus is willing to support it. If EK places its orders predominantly with Boeing, Airbus has little to lose to continue to support the A380 unless EK pays the full cost of supporting the A380. EK benefits from many operators still keeping the A380 in service and Airbus bearing those costs but that will quickly change in a few years.

Sure it was always the Queen. Sucks that you then can't handle the King of the Skies on the scene with the A380.