Quantcast

Aviation giants: comparing fuel efficiency of Airbus A380 vs Boeing 747

Emirates operates with SAF at London Heathrow Airport
British Airways Introduces Brunch Service on Long-Haul Flights
AirAsia FREE SEATS is BACK! - Book Cheap Flight now!
FAA Investigating After JetBlue Plane Skids Off Runway
Virgin Atlantic Offers Family-Friendly Holiday Packages
The Billion-Dollar Outlier That's Rescuing San Francisco Tourism
Alaska Airlines Adding More Boeing 787 to Boost Seattle Hub
Ryanair cancels 170 flights, disrupts over 30,000 passengers on French ATC strike
What to Know About Travel to Europe During This Record-Breaking Heatwave
Airport Workers Save the Day After Woman Loses Diamond from Her Engagement Ring in Baggage Carousel
I never talk to strangers on the plane. After my dad died, a passenger helped me talk about my grief.
American Airlines reveals new summer route: Miami → Rome
Budget UK airline launches huge sale with £29 flights to 475 holiday hotspots – but you’ll have to be quick
Delta Passengers Can Book a ‘Last Mile’ Private Jet Charter to Europe This Summer
Honeywell Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines for Fleetwide Installation
Southwest Airlines Adds Cockpit Alerts to Boost Runway Safety
This Airline Is Going to Start Handing Out $675 Fines to 'Unruly' Passengers: 'It Is Unacceptable'
Summer of savings? New analysis shows airfare has dropped significantly - The Points Guy
Travelers are taking extreme measures and using hacks to avoid airline baggage fees
Pigeons Cause Chaos on Delta Flight
United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter
United Continues to Face Catering Chaos at San Francisco
Passenger tries opening plane door mid-flight, gets zip-tied by veterans
Passenger Stows Away on Delta Flight from New York to Paris
Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Aviation giants: comparing fuel efficiency of Airbus A380 vs Boeing 747
Policy
Webp 380
Airbus A380 | Official Website

As the aviation industry continues to prioritize sustainability, questions about fuel efficiency between two iconic aircraft—the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747—are gaining attention. These aircraft have been pivotal in shaping commercial air travel, but their fuel efficiency has become a critical factor in today's environmentally conscious landscape.

The Airbus A380 generally surpasses the Boeing 747 in fuel efficiency per seat mile. This is attributed to its modern engines and larger passenger capacity, which distribute fuel consumption more effectively on a per-passenger basis. However, the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental narrows this gap with its updated engines and aerodynamics.

According to data from Airbus, the A380 achieves approximately 0.1 miles per gallon (mpg), whereas the older Boeing 747-400 is around 0.2 mpg. Despite appearing less efficient at first glance, the A380's higher passenger capacity improves its mpg per seat on long-haul flights.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Fuel efficiency in these large aircraft is influenced by several factors including design, engine performance, passenger load, and flight length. The A380 benefits from advanced wing profiles and composite materials that enhance aerodynamics compared to older models like the 747-400.

Airlines have mixed opinions regarding these quadjets' operational costs and efficiency. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker labeled the A380 as “the biggest mistake we ever made,” due to high maintenance and fuel costs. Conversely, Lufthansa supports the Boeing 747-8 for its range and cargo capacity.

Newer twin-engine aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 offer better fuel efficiency than both jumbo jets. These modern planes are increasingly favored by airlines seeking sustainable operations with lower emissions.

In conclusion, while the Airbus A380 slightly edges out its rival in terms of fuel economy per seat mile, both are being overshadowed by newer twinjets that promise greater efficiency and flexibility.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

On June 17, 2025, Star Alliance was recognized as the World’s Best Airline Alliance for the fourth consecutive year at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Jul 14, 2025

Star Alliance has been named the World's Best Airline Alliance at the 2025 Skytrax Awards.

Jul 12, 2025

SAS and Air France have applied for a codeshare network covering ten U.S. destinations, including New York's JFK and Los Angeles' LAX.

Jul 12, 2025

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has released its June 2025 On-Time Performance (OTP) report, which analyzes global punctuality trends among airlines and airports.

Jul 12, 2025

United Airlines is set to resume flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on July 21, 2025.

Jul 12, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport experienced significant growth in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers.

Jul 12, 2025