Airbus A380: why such high takeoff weight

Despite its significant capabilities as a passenger aircraft, "the A380 has struggled to find other uses," unlike older Boeing 747s that are often converted into freighters. Instead, many A380s face grounding and scrapping.

Airbus had envisioned a stretched variant called the A380-900 with a seating capacity nearing 1,000 passengers; however, it was never realized. Emirates operates half of all A380s globally in various configurations optimized for different routes.

Designed for long-range travel with a full complement of passengers over distances up to 8,000 nautical miles, "the aircraft's massive fuel requirements require it to carry large amounts of heavy jet fuel." The A380's structure comprises approximately 22% composite materials compared to newer models like the Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 that utilize higher percentages of lightweight composites.

"All this adds up to a heavier aircraft in need of a greater MTOW," necessitated by its design features including larger wings initially intended for an unbuilt variant and four engines required for operation compared to two on some modern counterparts.

In summary, "the Airbus A380 is designed with a massive takeoff weight so that it can carry the massive amount of fuel, passengers, and cargo needed over a vast 8,000 nautical mile range." Its quad-engine setup and lack of extensive lightweight materials contribute further to its weight challenges while fulfilling long-distance flight demands efficiently.