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Emirates is the leading operator of the Airbus A380 , and the double-decker jetliner is arguably the best plane in its fleet. Emirates may not have been the launch customer of the A380, which was Singapore Airlines, but it has become the undisputed leader in terms of fleet size. The A380 is the flagship of the fleet, and the aircraft has become synonymous with the airline in the public lens of commercial aviation.
Emirates got its first A380 in 2008, taking the second delivery of Airbus’ incredible plane. The A380 is only the second airliner with two passenger decks ever produced, following the Boeing 747. Thanks to its enormous size and efficient performance, the plane has performed better for Emirates than both the Boeing 777 and the newly acquired Airbus A350. As such, even as the airline gets more modern twinjets, there are no signs the A380 is going anywhere soon.
An Armada Of Flying Giants
According to ch-aviation, Emirates has a total of 118 Airbus A380 aircraft. That’s close to half the total fleet of 280 planes. The superjumbo fleet is also very young, with an average age of only 11.2 years old. Out of 118, only 22 are parked, while 97 A380s are in active service today. The full retail price on a brand new Airbus A380 was right around $445 million USD when the leviathans were still in production.
The estimated cost of flying an A380 is $30,000 per flight-hour, according to a detailed breakdown reported by UAE Moments. The gargantuan quadjet burns about 12,000 liters (3,170 gallons) per hour, which can cost as much as $240,000 to fill up the tanks for some ultra-long-haul flights.
Emirates turns enough profit flying these jetliners of epic proportions that it can afford to operate legs as short as 1,650 kilometers (1,048 miles), which, at the A380’s cruise speed of 903 kmh (561 mph), only takes about two hours. You can ride along for this short jaunt if you’re taking Emirates from Dubai to Hong Kong, which stops in 
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) for a layover before arriving at 
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
Right Plane, Right Place
One of the main reasons that Emirates is able to not only survive while flying a fleet of huge, quadjet airliners but even thrive is that its hub is at 
Dubai International Airport (DXB). Dubai has a unique location in the world and terminals specifically made to optimize A380 operations. The city is strategically situated at a crossroads between continents, as well as being in close proximity to some of the most holy pilgrimage sites in Islam.
Not only is Dubai a vital long-haul connection to places like London, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, it’s also one of the busiest airports in the world for connecting flights. 
Delta Air Lines’ mega-hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport may be the busiest airport in the world in raw traffic, but DXB can claim the title of highest international traveler traffic.
Those giant double-decker Airbuses are so easy to fill up with connecting travelers heading on to other destinations that they even fly short to medium-haul routes on the most dense legs. The Hajj pilgrimage contributes to major seasonal traffic surges, but the high flow of travelers is steady year-round, which is why Emirates can operate a widebody-only fleet.
Emirates’ Massive Fleet Commitment: All The Aircraft Still To Be Delivered
Emirates is going through a period of huge upheaval and modernization in its fleet with over 300 aircraft on order.
Airbus A380 Versus A350
Emirates acquired a small number of Airbus A350-900 widebody twinjets at the end of 2024. So far, the carrier has 16 of the long-haulers in its fleet with plans for 57 more forthcoming. The A350 is a nice addition for long and ultra-long-haul routes at or above the 15-hour mark. The jet has exceptional fuel economy, and Airbus has had no problem selling large numbers since the plane debuted in 2015 with Qatar Airways.
Large airports and high-density routes are ideal for the A380, a bigger, four-engine aircraft with more seats. In the most dense Emirates configuration, it can accommodate more than 600 people. The A350 has a more conventional layout that can accommodate just over 300 people.
The A380 has a somewhat shorter range than the A350-1000 and is less fuel-efficient, with cost-per-seat falling particularly on flights with fewer passengers. While the A350 offers more range, fuel economy, and operational flexibility, the A380 remains an aircraft intended for high-density routes. When the first Emirates A350 was launched, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chair and CEO of the Emirates Airline & Group, said:
“Today is an exciting milestone for Emirates as we showcase our first A350 and usher in a new era for our fleet and network growth. This aircraft sets the stage for Emirates to spread its wings farther by offering added range, efficiency and flexibility to our network, enabling us to meet customer demand in new markets and unlock new opportunities in the cities that we serve.”
Airbus A380 Versus Boeing 777
Emirates also has a very substantial fleet of Boeing’s very large, long-range, widebody 777 series. It boasts 140 of the huge long-haul twinjets, with five of those planes parked. The Boeing 777-300ER is a long-haul, twin-engine aircraft designed for efficient transcontinental and intercontinental routes and can seat up to 442 passengers in a two-class configuration. Meanwhile, the A380’s double-deck layout makes it significantly larger in volume and passenger capacity.
The A380’s size is both an advantage and a challenge for airlines like Emirates, which is the largest operator of the A380. Meanwhile, the Boeing 777-300ER sits between the older Boeing 747 and the newer 787 in terms of size and efficiency, making it a workhorse for many airlines due to its balance of capacity, range, operational flexibility, and passenger comfort.
The A380 is unmatched in capacity, but it comes with its own set of limitations, such as many airports being unable to accommodate it due to its size. Special gates, longer runways, and larger taxiways are required, and maintenance costs and fuel consumption are higher than twin-engine alternatives. In contrast, the Boeing 777-300ER can operate out of nearly any major international airport, making it a more versatile option.
The Aircraft Replacing The Boeing 747
As Boeing’s flagship, the Boeing 777X is the closest thing to replacing the Jumbo, although it is not a direct replacement.
Airbus A380 Versus Boeing 777X
Emirates has ordered hundreds of Boeing 777X next-generation widebody jets. The program has been severely delayed, and although the planes were expected to be delivered starting this year, the timeline has slid to at least 2027. So far, the order book records 235 777-9s and 35 777-8s earmarked for Emirates. The new interior design, which makes the cabin both more spacious and more ergonomic, coupled with performance enhancements, will make the 777X an excellent addition once it finally makes it to the Emirates fleet.
Boeing says the 777X will be 10% more fuel efficient than the legacy 777 family. The Boeing 777-8 is projected to carry 350–375 people in a standard two-class configuration, and the 777-9 is expected to accommodate 400–426 passengers. The range of the 777-9 is said to be 7,285 nautical miles with 426 people, while the 777-8X can fly 8,730 nautical miles with 395 passengers, according to Boeing. Furthermore, the 777X will have a wider cabin with larger windows and an interior similar to the new 787 Dreamliner architecture.
The airline has grown increasingly frustrated with Boeing’s delays in launching the 777X series and has publicly cast doubt on its fuel-economy claims, pushing for more transparency with testing data. The 777X will feature industry-first folding wingtips to achieve a larger wingspan without growing outsized and breaking airport compatibility. Still that’s still no substitute for the incredible capacity of the A380 and certainly doesn’t offer the iconic presence that the double-decker jet has when it pulls up to the apron.
Why The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Has Much Longer Range Than The 787-10
The higher-capacity jet has some impressive capabilities.
Airbus A380 Versus Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Emirates has ordered 15 of the 787-10 stretched models of Boeing’s new Dreamliner as well as 15 of the 787-8 shorter body version, for a total of 30 units of Boeing’s latest widebody. Stan Deal, president and CEO of 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in the manufacturer’s press release:
“This order is an incredible vote of confidence in Boeing’s highly efficient widebody family and the versatility of our 777X and 787 airplanes to meet Emirates’ needs for global long-haul travel. The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability along the way.”
The number of seats aboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner varies depending on the model and configuration, as with all jetliners. Whereas the 787-9 can accommodate 250-290 people, the 787-8 can accommodate 242-250. The 787-10, the longest model, has space for 300–330 people. The airline’s choice of layout in the two- or three-class arrangement will affect the seating capacity, but ultimately, the A380 is around double the capacity by seat count.
Boeing describes the 787 as the most adaptable widebody jet in the business, capable of operating across all network route types with class-leading comfort and efficiency. The 787 emissions and fuel consumption are up to 25% lower compared to similar-sized commercial airliners. The plane also features a more humid and lower cabin altitude for greater comfort. It has the widest windows of any airplane on the market, and Boeing also incorporated new technology that detects and counteracts turbulence for a smoother flight.
