The first Airbus A380 flight carrying passengers took place 14 years ago today. Singapore Airlines flight SQ380 departed Singapore for Sydney on the 25th of October 2007. Tickets for the maiden flight were auctioned off with all proceeds being divided equally between three charities; Singapore’s Community Chest, The Sydney Children’s Hospital and Doctors Without Borders. The seats fetched between $560 all the way up to $100,380.
Work on designing what would eventually become the A380 started in secret way back in 1988. The intent was to create a plane that would rival the current market leader, the Boeing 747-400. The A380 also ended up being more eco-friendly than the Boeing plane. Two months after the a380 commenced flying Singapore Airlines announced that it burnt 20% less fuel per passenger than their 747-400 fleet.
246 Airbus A380s were delivered in total with production of the aircraft ceasing in 2021 with Airbus focusing on smaller aircraft such as the A350 and the A330Neo. The A380s are still a well-loved aeroplane, with 224 of the original fleet still reported as being in service with only 22 being fully retired to date.
A380, we wish you a happy birthday.
