airbus a380 emirates virtual tour

Google Offers Virtual Tour Of Emirates A380

Google has given access to all three classes and even the pilot’s cockpit of the world’s biggest jet through its Street View cameras.

Dubai airline Emirates has teamed up with global technology giant Google to offer the public a unique view inside the world’s largest passenger jet with a virtual tour of an Airbus A380.

Google took its famous Street View cameras inside the superjumbo and snapped images across both upper and lower decks and all three classes, including the Business Class lounge and the First Class spa.

The experiment even offers views inside the pilots’ cabin giving visitors a taste of what it feels like to be at the power seat of the world’s biggest plane.

The virtual tour can be taken by visiting: http://goo.gl/maps/JzN39 .

With a wingspan of almost 80 metres, the A380 can carry 517 passengers and cover 15,000 kilometres in a single journey.

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Take A Full Virtual Tour Of The Luxurious Emirates A380 Using Google Street View

Flying on Emirates Airlines, compared with most other aviation companies, is a pretty expensive gig, to say the least. Indeed, if you fancy flying on an Emirates A380, you could be looking at a ticket price of for up to $20,000 for First Class, and naturally, not everybody has that kind of cash just to throw around. Still, if you’ve wondered what it’s like to mosey on through one of these monstrous planes, Google Street View has you covered, for now you can get up close and personal with the 610,000 lb beast and take a tour of the entire plane, including First, Business and Economy Class, as if it were a long luxurious road.

The A380 is 239 ft long with a height of 79 ft, which is real estate enough to justify Street View intervention. Few will ever have the opportunity to step inside what can only be described as a seven-star hotel on wings, but thanks to Street View, those of us with less than extravagant budgets can take a look inside the cabin.

First class only offers a total of 14 seats to the very well-off, with perks including a 23-inch TV with no fewer than one thousand channels, massage seats, hot showers for those sweaty long-haul flights, and a seven course meal, which is served in some of the finest crockery you’re likely to see anywhere, let alone on a plane. There’s also, of course, a bar, featuring just about every drink one could desire, along with a waterfall for that added touch of class. And yes, the whole plane is covered by Wi-Fi for in-flight Internet connectivity.

Emirates’ A380 also offers Economy Class which, for $1500, is actually quite a bit better than you’d get with most other economy airline seats. There are still 500 channels showing on the decidedly smaller 9-inch TV, and a cup holder of the gyroscopic variety, making things just a little more comfortable. Of course, it’s not the same as a shower, followed by a massage and then all the food and drink you can consume, but for economy, it’s definitely not bad.

If you ever have the chance to hop into an A380, it would seem fairly difficult to have anything other than a relaxed and fulfilling journey. Still, if you can’t or simply won’t pony up a few thousand bucks for 12 hours of pampering, check out the special Street View offering from Google right now and get a virtual tour of the entire plane:

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Take A 3D Tour Of An Emirates Airbus A380

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You can now explore the 3 cabins inside of an Emirates Airbus A380 on Emirates.com courtesy of “web virtual reality (VR) technology”. As things stand the aircraft on view is home to the older style First Class cabin but Emirates says that the technology will soon include all configurations of the A380 and its Boeing 777 aircraft.

The technology allows users to see inside the various cabins just by moving a round their screen with a mouse and, if you’re one of the few who have a VR headset (like Google Cardboard), you can use that to get an even more immersive experience.

Here’s what the cabins loom like on a regular laptop screen:

Emirates A380 First Class

You can’t just visit any part of the aircraft you like – there are predefined viewing position set by the software – but you can still get a good idea of what the aircraft offers.

Here’s a view of a First Class suite from the aisle….

….and then the same suite viewed from the inside:

There are markers within the suite which, when clicked, give a bit more information on the amenities available and the seat characteristics.

You can take a look around the small (but very useful) shower “spa”….

…and check out the onboard lounge (which is shared with Business Class) too:

Emirates A380 Business Class

The Business Class tour works in much the same way except that you can choose to view a window seat, an aisle seat or see what the twin seats look like:

Once again you can click on a number of areas around the seat to get more in formation about the amenities available.

Emirates A380 Economy Class

In the Economy Class cabin you can view the whole cabin….

…the extra legroom seats….

…the window seats….

…and the aisle seats….

Unsurprisingly you’re not give n a chance to see what a middle seat looks like.

I like the idea behind this because it gives a passenger a little bit more of an idea of what to expect onboard but I found the laptop experience very limiting.

You can’t walk up and down the aisles in a similar way to how a Google Maps experience lets you walk around so you’re restricted to what you can actually view.

This may not be an issue for those viewing with a VR headset but, as I suspect they’ll form a very small percentage of people exploring the aircraft, that shouldn’t really be the target audience for this kind of tour.

The best way for me to sum up my feelings is this: I like the concept but I’m not overly impressed with the execution.

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Take the pilot's seat in our Emirates A380 flight simulator

at Dubai Mall

Explore The Flight Deck

Experience the thrill and challenge of piloting the world's largest passenger aircraft.

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On the 2nd floor next to the entrance to the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

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Visit our online store at www.emirates.store for Emirates branded merchandise, clothing, bags, travel accessories and scale models of the A380 as a reminder of your flight.

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When you confirm your purchase, you are accepting that these terms and conditions form the basis of any contract between Emirates and yourself. No contract exists between you and Emirates for the sale of any tickets until we have received and accepted your order and received payment in full. Once cleared funds are received, there is a binding contract between us.

The description and price of tickets you order will be shown on the Emirates A380 Experience website at the time you place your order. Prices are in AED and inclusive of any applicable taxes; there are no surcharges whatsoever. Once you have paid, we will not increase the price of your tickets. Prices displayed on the site are subject to change without notice. We accept most major credit and debit cards in partnership with our payment gateway.

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Once purchased on-line tickets may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. No ticket may be resold. We reserve the right to refuse entry to late arrivals. Any discounts or offers on-line are available for limited quantities and periods only and shall not be available on bookings made by phone or in person. Please bring along your booking reference number and/or email print out. Prices are correct at time of going to press and are subject to change without notification.

What are the opening hours for The Emirates A380 Experience?

The mall hours are Sun-Wed 10am - 10pm and Thurs-Sat from 10am -12 midnight. The simulator operates from Midday to 10pm daily. The mall hours are subject to change depending on special occasions, such as Eid trading hours or The Dubai Shopping Festival.

What is the ticket price?

Emirates staff, Emirates Platinum card, Skywards Gold and Skywards Platinum card holders will receive a 20% discount. ID must be presented.

Can I book online?

Yes, you can book your tickets online here as well as in person at the A380 Experience in The Dubai Mall.

Can I change my booking?

Yes, you will be able to change your booking prior to your confirmed time slot up to 48 hours before your flight is due. You must send an email to [email protected] detailing your booking reference and your preferred new slot. Alternatively you can call 04 325 3044 or 04 708 3343

What do I do if I lose my online booking information/reference number?

Our Team at the Emirates A380 Simulator in The Dubai Mall will be able to search for your booking using your name and/or contact details.

How long is a simulator ride?

You can choose from our 3 options: 15 min, 30 min, or 1 hour.

How many people can use a simulator ticket?

Only one person can fly at a time, We recommend 2 people maximum to receive the optimum experience.

Are there any age restrictions?

Yes, children under the age of 9 cannot use the simulator (they will not be able to reach down to the pedals. Children aged 9 to 12 must be accompanied by an adult)

When do I have to be at the simulator?

You should be in the simulator area at least 10 minutes before your flight.

What does a simulator ride include?

Within one time slot you can take part in numerous flights choosing different airports, preferred weather conditions and time of the day. The following flight simulations are available:

– Take Off – Landing – Advanced Landing

What flight routes can I chose from?

Currently you can take off from thousands of different airports including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Boston, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London Heathrow, Munich, New York JFK, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, and Zurich.

Can I choose my flight options before I start my flight?

Once you enter the cockpit for your flight simulation you can choose your flight route, weather conditions and time of day.

Will I get instructions whilst in the simulator?

Yes, there will be a member of our team present to guide you through your simulation.

Is The Emirates A380 Experience accessible for disabled guests?

Guests in wheelchairs can access the cockpit however they will not able to use the simulator to the full extent. Please contact [email protected] or alternatively you can call +971 4 325 3044 or +971 4 708 3343 for more information.

Does the Simulator move?

The Emirates A380 Simulator at Dubai Mall is a fixed base Simulator with flight controls, there are no advanced flight systems nor simulated motion.

Do you sell Emirates merchandise at the Emirates A380 Experience?

Yes, there is a full range of Emirates official merchandise at the Emirates A380 Experience, merchandise incudes Emirates Aircraft models, Emirates Souvenirs, travel accessories and apparel.

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With its unique cabin architecture and the quietest cabin in the sky, the A380 has unmatched passenger appeal while airlines have unique revenue-generating opportunities thanks to its great cabin versatility.

The A380 has been voted as the best aircraft type by Global Traveler's readers, confirming that the A380 is truly a passenger favourite.

The flagship in comfort trends

Flying with the A380 is a unique experience and the flagship in comfort trends, from first class to economy.

As the world’s largest and most spacious passenger aircraft, its cabin allows travellers to stretch out in its wide seats in a calm and relaxing environment. With the unparalleled freedom it gives passengers to move about the aircraft, it’s no surprise that the A380 is a favourite in all cabin classes.

With enough room to install stylish first-class suites, an eye-catching bar or business areas, beautifully inviting cabin lighting and the quietest cabin in the sky, passengers can enjoy every aspect of the flight and, thanks to innovative cabin air supply technology, will arrive at the destination feeling inspired and ready to go.

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See inside Etihad's giant Airbus A380 that is flying to the US again after being nearly forced into retirement

• Etihad Airways has reintroduced its Airbus A380 superjumbo on US flights after a four-year hiatus.
• The A380 was almost retired during the pandemic, but Etihad has since had a change of heart.
• The airline's A380 stands out thanks to its one-of-a-kind, three-room cabin called "The Residence."

Etihad Airways has finally reintroduced its beloved Airbus A380 superjumbo on flights to the US after years of uncertainty.

Purchased as an ultra-long-haul workhorse to connect its Abu Dhabi hub with far-away international destinations, the A380 first flew to New York in 2015 but left when the pandemic halted travel in 2020.

The COVID-19 crisis exacerbated already growing problems with fuel-hungry, quad-engine planes , prompting Etihad to consider retiring the jet. Other carriers like Air France and Thai Airways had already sent their A380s to the boneyard.

Etihad didn't follow through, however, instead deciding to re-launch the plane on flights to London last summer due to strong post-pandemic demand.

The airline has since moved one of those A380 flight to New York to up capacity at JFK — competing with rival five-star carrier Emirates' luxe A380 superjumbo already flying to the airport.

Here's what passengers can expect when flying Etihad in economy, business, first class, and its three-room "The Residence" suite.

Etihad's first A380 flight to the US since 2020 landed just after 10 a.m. on Monday after trekking more than 14 hours from Abu Dhabi.

The famous double-decker left Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport at about 3:20 a.m. local time and landed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport just after 10 a.m. ET, according to FlightAware .

The plane is one of four A380s active in Etihad's fleet, each featuring dual-level cabin with economy, business, and first class seats.

The A380 replaced one of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners that previously flew the Abu Dhabi-New York route, leaving one Dreamliner and the superjumbo flying the two daily frequencies.

If it needs even more capacity, Etihad has another six A380s on "reserve," CRO Arik De told Business Insider in December when the NYC route was first announced.

The most basic offering on Etihad's A380 is economy, featuring the typical inflight amenities like entertainment, food, and reclining seats.

Etihad's 415-seat economy cabin is located on the lower level of the mammoth superjumbo, and the nice finishings like a cupholder and a touchscreen remote highlight its five-star status.

Coach comes with a winged headrest and a tray table, as well as a seatback pocket, 17.5 inches of seat width, and 31 inches of pitch — putting its legroom on par with the likes of Delta Air Lines and British Airways, according to SeatGuru .

Customers can pay for an economy upgrade, like seats with extra legroom, ones that are more kid-friendly, or seats that are "neighbor-free."

"Economy Space" seats offer five more inches of pitch than the regular coach seats. The bulkhead is in the first row of the cabin and won't have a row in front.

Neighbor-free seating is similar to Lufthansa's option , which guarantees the adjacent seat will be empty — essentially a 2-in-1-type booking.

Notably, Etihad does not have a premium-economy cabin like its UAE counterpart Emirates. Economy Space is as close as it gets.

Former CEO Tony Douglas said at its launch that Etihad has not added premium economy because it wants simplicity.

"We listen to our guests, and space is what they tell us that they really want," he told Executive Traveller in 2022. "But what we haven't done is put in a lot of cost and unnecessary complexity."

Etihad's upper deck is where the luxury is — and where the airline makes its money.

The second level of the A380 hosts Etihad's most premium cabins. There are 70 lie-flat business class seats, nine fully enclosed first class "apartments," and the one-of-a-kind "The Residence" suite.

Filling up its expensive upper deck on every flight is essential in making the gas-gusting A380 profitable — meaning it has to have an attractive product to compete with the other five-star carriers also serving New York.

Business class offers the typical luxuries like aisle access, plenty of storage, and a touchscreen television with a connected remote.

Customers can expect the common bells and whistles of business class plus a few special perks, but it's not cheap.

Flights for mid-July in A380 business class between New York and Abu Dhabi on Etihad's website show fares starting at about $4,000 each way.

The premium cabin also offers WiFi access, power ports, an amenity kit, window shades, and a pillow and blanket for sleeping.

There is no sliding door on Etihad, as seen in business class cabins in Qatar or Japan's All Nippon Airways, but there is a partition between the pair of seats in the center section for privacy.

Customers can also enjoy an 'anytime' dining menu that lets people eat on their own schedule.

The flexible dining plan can be useful on some early-morning or late-night flights, like Etihad's New York-bound A380 departure that leaves Abu Dhabi at around 3 a.m.

First class sits at the front of the upper deck and includes nine 'apartments.'

Carriers like Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates have added grandiose first-class suites to their A380s as well, thanks to the mammoth size of the jet.

The apartments are like mini hotel rooms with sliding doors that come complete with a separate armchair and bed — similar to Singapore.

Singapore has a similar setup in its A380 first class , but the airline does not fly the superjumbo to JFK anymore.

Some cabins can be combined into one for two people to share, and the television swivels so it can be used from either the chair or the bed.

The bed stretches nearly seven feet, so it'll be long enough for even the tallest travelers — and a convenient remote allows passengers to control the far-away television when lying down.

Also available to first-class flyers is fine dining, WiFi, power, storage, a luxe lavatory, and a standing shower.

First-class meals include high-dollar Champagnes, wines, steaks, and other gourmet food.

The shower is rare to see on airlines because of the costly extra weight of carrying the water.

Emirates has its own shower spa onboard its Airbus A380s , while Singapore does not.

The latter has installed two giant lavatories with separate vanities in its upper deck first class.

Those with a first-class ticket can upgrade to Etihad's crown jewel, called The Residence, which is exclusive to its A380.

The Residence is an actual flying hotel room as it is the only three-room suite onboard a commercial jetliner. It is considered the cream of the crop for long-haul flying and goes beyond the typical first class.

"We had our first bookings within minutes of the announcement that the A380 was coming to New York," De told BI in December. "It's a famous experience, and there are plenty of people out there who want to sample it, either as a dream one-off or as part of their overall travel mix."

The completely private suite features a living room, a bedroom, and an ensuite bathroom with shower.

The 125-square-foot space is designed to accommodate up to two people thanks to the double couch and bed.

It's about as close as possible to flying on a private jet without the six-figure price tag. At launch, the route between NYC and Abu Dhabi cost $32,000 each way for either single or double occupancy, according to Etihad , but that has varied over the years.

It's nicer (and bigger) than some New York City apartments — and deep-pocketed travelers are willing to pay thousands for the sky penthouse.

Looking on Etihad's website in December for a flight between New York and Abu Dhabi for mid-May, the A380 apartments were priced between roughly $9,000 and $10,000 each way, with another $3,000 per leg on top for the Residence, totaling about $24,000 .

Searching again on Monday, it appears the Residence is already booked up on most days for May, as it cannot be added to first-class bookings . Apartments are going for between $5,000 and $8,000 now each way.

One thing Etihad keeps equal across all classes is a prayer room, with one located in each cabin.

SeatGuru shows a prayer room toward the front of the economy cabin, in the middle of business class, and right behind the last row of first. A curtain adds privacy.

Middle Eastern competitor Saudia also has a prayer room onboard its widebody planes.

Meanwhile, exclusive to just business and first class is access to an onboard bar and lounge.

The exclusive space sits on the upper deck between the two premium cabins and is a place to socialize, work, and stretch your legs.

The sitting area has a coffee table and television, while a bar is available with drinks and snacks.

Emirates and Qatar also offer a similar bar for premium passengers flying on their A380s.

Premium passengers can also enjoy perks like chauffeur service in Abu Dhabi and express airport check-in and lounge access before flying.

Business and first-class passengers can access luxe airport lounges in other cities outside Abu Dhabi, including in New York-JFK.

Etihad's return to NYC signals confidence in the A380 and its niche viability within the airline's strong hub-and-spoke network.

While many carriers have turned a cheek to the A380 due to high operating costs, Emirates, Singapore, Qatar, and Etihad, as well as a handful of other Asian and European airlines, all continue to fly the A380.

"We are entering a new phase of sustainable growth to meet the demands of our customers, and the A380 is the right aircraft to meet capacity demands on very select routes," De told BI. "We brought it back on our London services earlier this year, and saw tremendous commercial success, with guests loving the experience."

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The Emirates A380

The new Emirates A380

Our fleet has a fresh look, with a sleek cream and bronze interior similar to our latest Boeing 777 aircraft. Fly in our latest generation of seats, including Premium Economy, the zero gravity First Class seat and cream leather Business Class seats.

Interesting facts

The Emirates A380:

THE EMIRATES EXPERIENCE IN 3D

A380 Three Class long-range

Aircraft specifications

REAWAKEN YOUR SENSES

Indulge in a refresh

There’s nothing quite like a rejuvenating shower to leave you feeling inspired. Prepare for your arrival in our A380 Shower Spa, using our selection of Bvlgari toiletries and signature Timeless Spa products.

Once you’ve finished pampering, replenish your energy with one of our detoxifying fresh juices. Just the boost you need to feel ready to take on the day.

TAKE TIME TO YOURSELF

Master the art of me-time

Slide the privacy doors closed and unwind in your own world. Enjoy a glass of exclusive wine or champagne, or help yourself to your personal mini-bar.

Turn down the ambient lighting, choose your entertainment, and relax in your private cinema.

Convert your seat into a fully flat bed with a mattress and drift into a restful sleep. Your vanity table and mirror help you prepare for the day ahead.

A new shared experience on board

Relax in a sleek seating arrangement in our A380 Onboard Lounge. Enjoy a selection of treats, kick back with a cocktail or indulge in global conversation with fellow passengers.

Arrive inspired

Whether you’re flying to your next meeting or enjoying your latest adventure, travelling in Business Class helps you arrive inspired. You’ll find thoughtful extras in Business Class that mix stimulation and relaxation to help you cultivate your passions in your own way.

Movies, TV shows, games, music, news and more, all at your fingertips

Whatever you're in the mood for, choose from up to 6,500 channels of love, laughter and thrills on ice.

Savour the freshest ingredients and beverages

With our signature Healthy Options menu, multi-course meals and kid-friendly offerings, we offer a robust variety of dining choices.

Related pages

• The Emirates Experience
• The Emirates A380 fleet

Simple Flying

Why couldn't any airlines apart from emirates make the airbus a380 work.

The most prominent operator is also the only one that envisions a long-term future for the aircraft.

• Emirates' scaled approach with 116 A380s allowed lower operating costs, sustaining profitable operations.
• Dubai International Airport's layout helped Emirates' A380 operations compared to competitors with fewer A380-capable gates.
• Emirates has introduced new Premium Economy cabin to enhance passenger experience on A380s.

The Airbus A380 is one of the most comfortable and passenger-pleasing aircraft in commercial aviation. Ever since the A380 entered service with Singapore Airlines in 2007, it has been ferrying impressive amounts of passengers globally. In its initial years, many global airlines ordered and operated the super-jumbo aircraft.

However, with rising fuel prices and lower demand on many routes, the A380 seemed uneconomical for most operators. Moreover, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand further reduced, and many carriers were quick to retire the quad-engined jet.

Despite all the early retirements, the A380 became and still is the backbone of one airline, Emirates. The Middle Eastern giant went all in on the jet, acquiring an incredible 116 units of the superjumbo. Despite the odds, Emirates has made the A380 its flagship, serving tons of destinations across the world. In statements, airline leaders have indicated their intention to keep the jet flying until the 2040s .

The Various Rejected Names For The Airbus A380

So what separates Emirates from the rest? What allowed the carrier to succeed while all others failed to truly embrace the aircraft and sustain profitable operations with the A380?

A lack of scale

General characteristics.

• Capacity: Passengers: 575 typical, 853 max
• Length: 72.72 m (238 ft 7 in)
• Wingspan: 79.75 m (261 ft 8 in) with a wing sweep of 33.5°
• Width: 7.14 m (23 ft 5 in)
• Height: 24.09 m (79 ft 0 in)
• Max takeoff weight: 575,000 kg (1,267,658 lb)

The Airbus A380 is undeniably an aircraft fit for economies of scale. As maintenance facilities, spare parts, and pilot training on the jet are costly, the individual per-unit costs will only decrease as an airline expands its fleet.

Emirates was the only carrier to act on this and rapidly expanded its fleet to ensure its unit costs for A380 operations remained relatively low. The airline wanted to continue expanding its fleet and pushed Airbus to continue producing the type even when the manufacturer had already decided to end production.

Get all the latest aviation news on Simple Flying!

Carriers that failed with the superjumbo were unable to follow Emirates' approach. Air France, for example, only purchased 10 A380s, a move that never allowed the airline to push operating costs beneath their break-even point.

No one was all that surprised when the French flag carrier Air France retired its fleet back in 2020. Regarding the matter, Tim Clark, Emirates' long-time president, had the following words to share in an interview with Airline Ratings :

"The A380 was a misfit for Air France. They never scaled, they only have ten aircraft. Yes, we faced the same teething problems, but we dealt with them because we were scaled enough to deal with it. If you’ve got a sub fleet of 10 it’s a bloody nightmare and the costs go through the roof."

An ideal hub

Performance.

• Cruise speed: 903 km/h (561 mph, 488 kn) Mach 0.85
• Range: 14,800 km (9,200 mi, 8,000 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 13,000 m (43,000 ft)
• VMO: Mach 0.89 (945 km/h; 511 kn; 587 mph)
• Landing speed: 138 kn (256 km/h; 159 mph)

As the A380 is the ultimate hub-to-hub aircraft, the requirements for an operator's primary hub are stringent. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is an ideal base for A380 operations due to its massive size and impressive number of A380-capable gates.

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Back in 2016, when the airline was in the middle of growing its A380 fleet, Aviation Voice reported that Dubai's airport received an upgrade to include ten more category F gates, those with enough space to fit an Airbus A380, bringing the total number north of 50. Since then, renovations have only continued to increase the number.

The polar opposite of this can be observed at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), where the total number of A380-capable gates sits at just five (although renovations will see this number rise), as per Airport Suppliers . Thus, Thai Airways International, which operated the A380 out of the airport, never really had the opportunity to expand its fleet beyond the six jets it ultimately ordered and reduce operating costs to the point of sustained profitability.

Cabin upgrades

Emirates has recently rolled out an all-new Premium Economy cabin for its long-haul routes. Not only do the reconfigured A380s feature the new passenger class - the first time for the airline to introduce Premium Economy - but also feature a refreshed interior throughout the aircraft. Emirates stated during the introduction of the first A380 retrofit cabin,

"The first of our brand new A380 aircraft has arrived with a refreshed interior and the latest generation of luxury seats. Step into a light and spacious cabin of cream tones and textured bronze waves, with the motif of the UAE national tree throughout. Our latest A380 also features our new Premium Economy cabin, giving you the choice to fly in another level of luxury. You can still enjoy the same amazing A380 experiences with our latest Onboard Lounge design and Shower Spa with a fresh interior."

What are your thoughts on the Emirates A380? Have you ever traveled on the super-jumbo aircraft with Emirates? Share your experience in the comments section.