AIRCRAFT PROGRAM

High capacity airliner, comprising an oval fuselage with three decks: Cargo containers on the lower deck, passenger seats typically 10-abreast on the main deck and 8-abreast on the upper.

Carbon, glass and quartz reinforced plastic used extensively, and glass laminate aluminium reinforced epoxy (GLARE), which is a laminate of thin layers of aluminium and S-2 glass-fibre pre-preg, bonded together with epoxy. Three-section flaps and ailerons on each wing, plus eight spoilers.

Flight deck and centre fuselage made in St Nazaire, forward centre and rear fuselage in Hamburg, fin in Stade, wing main panels in Broughton, fairings, tailcone, rudder and vertical tail in Spain, and engine pylons in Toulouse.

Flight crew of two located on intermediate mezzanine deck accessed from the main deck. Certificated for 853 passengers, but airline configurations are mainly between 407 and 538.

Engineering work began in 1994, program go-ahead in 1999 and first flight in 2005.

Type variants

Variant	Launch/First flight	Production end
Airbus A380-800	1999 / 2005	2020	Baseline launch (and only) version.

Recent news

• 19/07/2022:  Press Release:  Airbus and CFM International launch a flight test demonstrator for advanced open fan architecture
• 03/03/2022:  NEWS:  First A380 returns to the limelight with ZEROe hydrogen engine
• 22/02/2022:  Press Release:  Airbus and CFM International to pioneer hydrogen combustion technology

View full news archive for the Airbus A380.

See recent updates (latest 18/11/2022)

Operations data

For detailed information about current charter operators, maintenance and training providers, and completions services for this aircraft, please consult our sister publication Business Air News: Airbus ACJ380