Top 10 Airlines Operating the Airbus A380 Worldwide in 2025

(DUBAI) This ranked guide lists the top 10 airlines still flying the Airbus A380 in 2025 and explains why each carrier matters for long-haul movers, students, workers, and families planning complex journeys. Rankings are based on the number of active A380s, total fleet size, confirmed deployment plans, and the consistency of routes as reported for May–August 2025. Where airlines have shared clear timelines for retirement or long-term use, that’s noted.

Fleet counts and routes shift slightly due to maintenance and seasonal demand, but the big picture holds: a handful of carriers operate nearly all active A380s worldwide, and they do so on busy, slot-constrained routes where the double-decker makes sense. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, travelers continue to choose A380 flights for comfort on long sectors, while airlines use the jet to meet high demand when newer twinjets are delayed or in short supply.

For immigration-bound trips, the A380 can reduce stress on family moves thanks to larger cabins, more seat choices, and robust premium options that help on 12–16 hour flights.

Ranking Method and What Matters for Travelers

The ranking emphasizes operational and traveler-relevant factors:

• Active fleet size and total A380s owned
• Breadth of reliable, year‑round routes
• Stated future plans (retirement or long-term use)
• Cabin updates that improve long flights
• Operational context: the A380’s fit on busy routes with tight airport slots

All data below is current as of August 2025, with minor fluctuations due to maintenance and scheduling.

1) Emirates

• Active / Total: 95 active / 116 total
• Key routes: Dubai–London, Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles, and many more high-demand markets.
• Commitment: Emirates has publicly committed to keeping the A380 flying until at least 2040, backed by extensive cabin refurbishments and strong bookings on trunk routes.

Why it matters:
– The airline’s scale provides frequent nonstop or one-stop options across continents, useful for relocations and family moves.
– The A380’s capacity eases seat availability during peak periods and supports smoother upgrades when space opens.
– Emirates uses the jet where slot constraints make large aircraft profitable—anchoring long-haul demand in 2025.

2) Singapore Airlines

• Active / Total: 10 active / 12 total
• Key routes: Singapore–London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai.
• Fleet notes: Completed a major cabin retrofit across the A380 fleet.

Why it matters:
– As the A380’s launch customer, Singapore Airlines treats the type as a premium showcase—quiet cabins and steady service standards.
– Changi hub connectivity benefits students and workers moving between Asia‑Pacific and Europe.
– Refurbished interiors and premium focus make long sectors more manageable during life changes.

3) British Airways

• Active / Total: 11 active / 12 total
• Key routes: London–Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Johannesburg, Boston, Washington (plus occasional Asia/Middle East deployments).
• Deployment: Adjusted seasonally to match demand.

Why it matters:
– The A380 boosts capacity on Heathrow’s busiest corridors, where slots are tight and demand is steady year‑round.
– Useful for families traveling with children or extra baggage—space and seating variety ease complex itineraries.
– Full fleet return from storage signals confidence in long‑haul demand and Heathrow constraints.

4) Qantas

• Active / Total: 7 active / 10 total
• Key routes: Sydney–Los Angeles, Sydney–London, Melbourne–Singapore–London.
• Fleet status: Remaining aircraft are in maintenance or reserve; all A380s reactivated post-pandemic.

Why it matters:
– Supports direct or single‑stop journeys between Australia and North America/Europe with comfortable cabins on marathon sectors.
– Provides predictable capacity on the Kangaroo Route and transpacific legs—helpful for migrants and long-term relocations.

5) Lufthansa

• Active / Total: 7 active / 8 total
• Based: Munich
• Key routes: Munich–Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Delhi, Bangkok.
• Commitment: Confirmed A380 flying through at least 2030.

Why it matters:
– Munich base offers reliable long‑haul links with broad European feed—valuable for students and workers traveling between Germany and the U.S./Asia.
– A380 helps meet peak-season demand without adding scarce slots; premium demand supports the aircraft’s economics.

6) Qatar Airways

• Active / Total: 7 active / 8 total
• Key routes: Doha–London, Paris, Sydney, Bangkok.
• Retirement plan: Phasing out the A380 by 2035.

Why it matters:
– Adds capacity on thick long‑haul corridors via Doha, with comfort on day and overnight flights.
– While retirement is scheduled, current deployment helps travelers secure seats on busy travel months, useful for fixed start dates (jobs, university terms).

7) Korean Air

• Active / Total: 4 active / 7 total
• Key routes: Seoul–Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Bangkok.
• Retirement plan: Intends to retire the A380 fleet by 2031.

Why it matters:
– Provides extra capacity during peak periods and more onboard space on ultra‑long flights between Northeast Asia and the U.S./Europe.
– Measured use keeps the aircraft where it delivers the most benefit; retirement timeline gives a medium‑term window for A380-preferring travelers.

8) Etihad Airways

• Active / Total: 6 active / 7 total
• Key routes: Abu Dhabi–London, New York, Sydney.
• Notable product: The Residence suite remains available on the A380.

Why it matters:
– Etihad brought the type back due to rising long‑haul demand and uses it selectively on routes where the onboard product and aircraft size are most compelling.
– Offers additional booking options during heavy travel seasons for families and executives despite higher operating costs.

9) Asiana Airlines

• Active / Total: 6 active / 6 total
• Key routes: Seoul–Los Angeles year‑round; seasonal service to Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Sydney.
• Fleet outlook: Future uncertain due to pending merger with Korean Air.

Why it matters:
– Steady LAX service provides a predictable transpacific A380 option.
– Seasonal deployments target high‑demand periods—helpful when flights sell out quickly.
– Merger outcome may reshape long-term fleet plans.

10) All Nippon Airways (ANA)

• Active / Total: 2 active / 3 total
• Key route: Tokyo Narita–Honolulu (year‑round).
• Fleet notes: Among the youngest A380s and known for the “Flying Honu” liveries.

Why it matters:
– Focused deployment on a single leisure and family-heavy corridor where demand is steady.
– Dedicated service simplifies planning for moves, extended stays, or family reunions between Japan and Hawaii.

What This Means for Travelers in 2025

• The A380 remains a smart choice on the busiest long‑haul routes: quiet cabins and wide seating plans help on life-changing long flights.
• Airlines keep the A380 where airport slots are limited and demand is strong—more options on headline corridors, limited spread to smaller markets.
• Operational costs are estimated at $25,000–$35,000 per flight hour in 2025, so carriers rely on strong bookings and premium cabins.
• Retirement plans: Korean Air by 2031, Qatar Airways by 2035, while Emirates aims to fly the type until at least 2040.
• Many operators have refurbished interiors, improving the experience even as fleets age.

Key takeaway: The A380’s value in 2025 is concentrated on thick, slot‑constrained routes where comfort and capacity matter most for travelers with major life transitions.

How to Pick the Right A380 Itinerary for a Big Move

1. Start with route reliability.
   • Emirates and Singapore Airlines run A380s on big, year‑round corridors.
   • ANA focuses on Tokyo–Honolulu; others adjust seasonally.
2. Check future plans.
   • If you specifically want the A380 experience, prefer airlines with longer commitments.
3. Consider hub strength.
   • Emirates’ Dubai hub enables one‑stop journeys to many regions.
4. Look for refurbished cabins.
   • Singapore Airlines and Emirates have broad investments; other carriers refresh key routes.
5. Review official entry rules for complex connections.
   • If your travel ends in the United States, check U.S. entry guidance from Customs and Border Protection before booking: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors

The Top 10, At a Glance

1. Emirates — 95 active / 116 total; Dubai–London, Sydney, Auckland, Los Angeles; committed to 2040.
2. Singapore Airlines — 10 active / 12 total; Singapore–London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai; full retrofit.
3. British Airways — 11 active / 12 total; London to major U.S. and South Africa routes; seasonal shifts.
4. Qantas — 7 active / 10 total; Sydney–Los Angeles, Sydney–London, Melbourne–Singapore–London; full reactivation.
5. Lufthansa — 7 active / 8 total; Munich–Boston/New York/Los Angeles/Delhi/Bangkok; confirmed through 2030.
6. Qatar Airways — 7 active / 8 total; Doha–London/Paris/Sydney/Bangkok; plans retirement by 2035.
7. Korean Air — 4 active / 7 total; Seoul–Los Angeles/New York/Paris/Bangkok; plans retirement by 2031.
8. Etihad Airways — 6 active / 7 total; Abu Dhabi–London/New York/Sydney; The Residence still offered.
9. Asiana Airlines — 6 active / 6 total; Seoul–Los Angeles year‑round; seasonal Asia and Sydney; merger pending.
10. All Nippon Airways — 2 active / 3 total; Tokyo Narita–Honolulu only; youngest A380 fleet.

Final Guidance: Matching Route, Timing, and Comfort Needs

The A380’s 2025 footprint is concentrated but dependable.

• For the most choices, Emirates offers the broadest A380 network.
• For fully refreshed cabins on premium corridors, consider Singapore Airlines.
• For Europe–U.S. demand spikes, British Airways and Lufthansa place the A380 where slots are scarce and flights fill fast.
• For Pacific moves, Qantas and ANA give targeted options.
• For major U.S.–Korea flows, Korean Air and Asiana serve headline routes with medium‑term retirement signals.
• Etihad and Qatar focus on thick, premium‑heavy routes—Qatar already points to a later retirement.

When comparing itineraries, weigh three things:
– The route’s reliability for your exact travel date.
– The comfort of the cabin you can actually book.
– The airline’s stated plan for the A380 on that route.

This approach keeps your move on schedule and your journey less stressful—exactly what the Airbus A380 was built to do on the world’s busiest long‑haul flights.