The 747 surpasses the A380 in cargo capacity, making it a more viable option for carriers looking to transport goods and maximize revenue from cargo operations.
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With its impressive size and graceful appearance, the 747, known as the “Queen of the Skies,” has been one of the most recognizable and versatile aircraft since its first flight in 1969.
Built in 1967 to produce the mammoth jet, it remains the world's largest manufacturing plant according to Boeing. But after five decades, customer demand for the 747 eroded as Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA) developed more fuel efficient two-engine widebody planes.
For some airlines, the A380 offered too much capacity, while for Emirates, the airline can't get enough of the plane. Unfortunately for Emirates (and us passengers), the days of the Airbus A380 are numbered. Airbus stopped A380 production in 2021, as there weren't sufficient orders to keep production going.
Speed: 747s can fly faster than the A380s. The maximum cruise speed of an A380 is Mach 0.89 (89% of the speed of sound in air) while the two newest variants of the 747 (“-400” and “-8”) can cruise at a speed of Mach 0.855.
Dubai-based Emirates airline, a big fan and buyer of the A380, created suites on its aircraft that are considered the height of luxury for a commercial liner. The twin-aisled jet has a range of more than 8,000 miles and is said to be quieter than most craft.
It is no surprise that Emirates leads the way with 88 active A380s, or 68% of active aircraft. British Airways has returned its entire fleet of 12 A380s to service, Singapore is operating 10, while Qatar has brought back 8.
The main reason for both manufacturers to terminate the production of their quad jets is the decline in demand. More and more airlines are opting for fuel-efficient twin-engine jets. Even though twin-engine jets typically lack the capacity, they provide more flexibility and economic viability for the airlines.
Therefore, the ERJ135/140/145 members of the family are among the safest airliners in history. The Airbus A340 is also one of the safest, with no fatal accidents involving any of the 380 units since its introduction in March 1993.
The disappearance of the Boeing 777 with 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board led to a search effort stretching from the Indian Ocean west of Australia to Central Asia. The perplexing nature of the loss of flight 370 is such that it has become one of history's most famous missing aircraft.
Since its introduction, the A380 has established a strong safety record and is regarded as one of the safest aircraft in the world. The aircraft has been involved in only two significant incidents since its introduction – a 2011 crash in France and a 2016 tyre burst incident in Australia.
In 2020 at the pandemic's onset, Etihad also announced that their 10-strong A380 fleet would be permanently grounded. However, in late 2022 the airline announced its return. The aircraft will be deployed on service from Abu Dhabi to London exclusively as well. These flights will resume over the coming summer season.
The very last A380 ever produced, in late 2021, went to Emirates. It's among a handful of Emirates A380s to include a premium economy section – a middle ground between basic economy and business class.
In a ceremony that was broadcast live online, the aircraft was handed over to its new owner, US air cargo operator Atlas Air, at Boeing's plant in Everett, Washington.