The full-length double-deck aircraft has a typical seating for 525 passengers, with a maximum certified capacity for 853 passengers. The quadjet is powered by Engine Alliance GP7200 or Rolls-Royce Trent 900 turbofans providing a range of 8,000 nmi (14,800 km; 9,200 mi).

The Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner, has a theoretical maximum capacity of 853 passengers in a high-density, all-economy class configuration. However, no airline currently operates the aircraft with this extreme seating arrangement. Most commercial airlines, such as Emirates, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines, configure their A380s with three or four classes (First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy), resulting in a typical capacity of 450 to 550 passengers. Emirates, the largest operator of the type, offers some two-class versions (Business and Economy) that carry around 615 passengers. The double-deck design allows for an incredible amount of floor space, which some airlines use for luxury amenities like onboard showers, bars, and private "Residences" rather than maximizing seat count. In 2026, the A380 remains a vital tool for high-capacity "hub-to-hub" routes where slot constraints at airports make it more efficient to fly one massive plane rather than two smaller ones, maintaining its status as the "Queen of the Skies" for long-haul travel.