6 Notable Airlines That Have Flown Both The Boeing 747 & Airbus A380

Simple Flying explores some iconic airlines that operated the two popular double-decker quad-jets, Boeing’s 747 and Airbus’s A380s. Let’s jump right into the content.

1 Air France

Fleet: 52 Boeing 747 | 10 Airbus A380

The French flag carrier, Air France, was among the early operators of the Boeing 747. Just over a year after it entered into service, the airline welcomed its first jumbo jet and commenced operations between its base at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK). The airline flew a total of 52 examples of the 747 for over 45 years. Air France’s last commercial service utilizing its 747s was performed in January 2016.

The airline also operated 10 Airbus A380s after receiving its first truly double-decker jet in October 2009. Between 2009 and 2016, the airline simultaneously operated two of the most iconic quad-jets. At the onset of the global pandemic, the airline decided to retire the entire fleet of A380s after just 11 years of operation. All of its A380s were retired in March 2020.

2 All Nippon Airways

Fleet: 46 Boeing 747 | 3 Airbus A380

Major full-service Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways operated as many as 46 Boeing 747 aircraft at one point. The airline was one of the largest operators of the type, which received its first jumbo jet in May 1978. Though behind many iconic airlines, ANA operated multiple variants of the Boeing 747 for over a 36-year stretch. The airline retired the type in August 2014.

ANA was the last airline of the lot to take delivery of its first Airbus A380. The first of three A380s was delivered on March 20, 2019, almost exactly one year before the start of the pandemic. The airline uses its 520-seater jets on island leisure services between Japan and Hawaii. Two of ANA’s A380s are currently active, while one is in parked stored status.

3 British Airways

Fleet: 94 Boeing 747 | 12 Airbus A380

London Heathrow-based British Airways was the second-largest operator of the Boeing 747 fleet. Over the years, BA operated 94 examples of jets comprising multiple variants. The airline received its first jumbo jet in 1970 and operated its healthy fleet of 747s for 50 years. Months after the airline celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic Queen of the Skies, the remaining fleet was retired. The 747-400 was the airline’s latest variant, which performed its farewell flight in December 2020.

British Airways also operates 12 Airbus A380s, the first of which entered service with the airline in August 2013. While the airline temporarily stored its A380 fleet, intending to retire during the pandemic, it later (like several other carriers) decided to bring all 12 aircraft back to the skies. The entire fleet of Airbus A380 remains in service with the carrier.

4 Lufthansa

Fleet: 62 Boeing 747 | 14 Airbus A380

The flag carrier of Germany, Lufthansa, is one of the few current operators of the Boeing 747, particularly the -400. The airline is one of the few early operators of the type, as the first delivery of the jumbo jet commenced in July 1970. The airline has operated many variants of the type, including the latest 747-8. After nearly 53 years of service with Boeing’s jumbo jet, the airline still has 27 examples of the 747 operating. Of those, eight are 747-400s, while the remaining 19 are 747-8ls.

The airline also operated 14 Airbus A380s, the first of which was delivered in May 2010. The airline has configured its A380s with capacity for 509 passengers across four classes. The pandemic-related downturn caused some aircraft to be stored and retired, while others returned to service in the last two years. The airline has eight examples of the A380s still in service.

5 Qantas

Fleet: 64 Boeing 747 | 12 Airbus A380

The flag carrier of Australia, Qantas, is another large operator of the Boeing 747. It received its first jumbo jet in 1970 and operated 64 examples of the type (across various variants) for 50 years. The last commercial flight of the Qantas 747 was performed in March 2020. The severe effects of the pandemic forced the airline to retire its remaining fleet of 747s.

The airline operated a total of 12 A380s at one point. The first double-decker was delivered to Qantas in September 2008. At the peak of the pandemic, the airline grounded its entire fleet of the type before refurbishing the majority of its A380s and bringing them back in service. Qantas currently has 10 of the massive Airbus widebody in service.

6 Korean Air

Fleet: 65 Boeing 747 | 10 Airbus A380

Korean Air is another of the most prominent operators of the Boeing 747, including the latest variant of the type, the 747-8. The South Korean flag carrier began its journey with the jumbo jet in 1984 and flew 65 examples spanning several variants.

The airline began operating the Boeing 747-8F in February 2012 and the 747-8l in August 2015. It has a total of 16 Boeing 747-8 aircraft in its fleet, of which nine are passenger versions (747-81) and seven are freighters (747-8F). The airline also has four remaining 747-400s in service.

Korean Air also operates 10 Airbus A380s, none of which are retired. It currently has five of the type in service, with four in storage and one undergoing maintenance.

What are your thoughts on the airlines that operate both types of quad-iets? Tell us in the comments section.

Source: ch-aviation