Quantcast

Seven airlines discontinued Airbus A380 services to the United States over 17 years

Air India Warned Over Crew Fatigue and Training Failures Following Fatal Crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy may deny flights from Mexico over broken aviation agreement
Plane Makes Emergency Landing After ‘Unruly’ Passenger Attempts to Open Exit Door Mid-Flight
American Airlines Launches Ultra‑Long‑Haul DFW–Manila Flights
Thousands of flights canceled or delayed across America's busiest airports
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
New Heathrow Security Rule Makes Packing Bags Easier for Travelers
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
FAA Drone Detection Testing
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
FAA Admits Uncertainty On Drone Numbers In U.S. Airspace, Raising Safety Concerns
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
Seven airlines discontinued Airbus A380 services to the United States over 17 years
Policy
Webp oi
Guillaume Faury, CEO | Airbus

The Airbus A380, known for its double-decker design, made its first commercial appearance in the United States in 2008. According to data from Cirium Diio, over 108,000 A380 departures have taken place in the US since then, making the country one of the top three destinations for the aircraft, after the UAE and the UK.

Over the past 17 years, seven airlines have stopped operating the A380 to the US. These carriers include Air France, China Southern, Etihad Airways, Global Airlines (which used Hi Fly Malta to operate its flights), Norwegian (also using Hi Fly), Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines. Some of these airlines have either ceased long-haul operations, retired their A380 fleets, or redirected the aircraft to other routes.

Air France was the largest A380 operator among these, with nearly 10,900 departures over 11 years. The airline served six US routes with the aircraft: Paris Charles de Gaulle to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles. The first Air France A380 flight to the US was in 2009 on the Paris CDG to New York JFK route. The airline continued flying the aircraft to multiple US cities until early 2020 before discontinuing its use.

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.

Norwegian briefly operated the A380 on US routes by chartering the aircraft from Hi Fly. This was a temporary measure while its Boeing 787s underwent engine inspections and replacements. The airline has since ended all long-haul flights.

Etihad Airways last flew its A380 out of New York JFK on June 23, 2025. The following day, the airline deployed the aircraft to Toronto instead. Etihad had originally started A380 service to JFK in November 2015 and had periods when all its New York flights were operated by the superjumbo. After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Etihad resumed A380 flights to JFK in April 2024 but ceased them again in June 2025.

Global Airlines was not a conventional airline but chartered its A380 from Hi Fly Malta. It operated two round-trip charter services between Glasgow and JFK in May 2025 and between Manchester and JFK later that month. Due to regulatory restrictions, Global could not sell tickets originating in the US, resulting in passengers returning on the same aircraft they arrived on.

Qatar Airways operated the A380 to the US only once in 2016 on a Doha-Atlanta service. Singapore Airlines flew the A380 on several routes involving US cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York via various international stopovers between 2011 and 2023. China Southern used the aircraft on the Guangzhou to Los Angeles route from 2012 to 2022.

The exit of these airlines from US A380 operations reflects changes in airline strategies and fleet compositions. Some carriers have retired their A380s altogether, while others continue to use them on different international routes.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Emirates Airlines has highlighted the evolution of its cabin crew uniform, emphasizing its commitment to timeless design and practicality.

Oct 23, 2025

Emirates has achieved the Gold Tier status in the 2024 Fly Quiet Programme at New York’s JFK Airport, making it the only airline to receive this distinction among all participating carriers.

Oct 23, 2025

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, with all five applicants receiving awards this year.

Oct 23, 2025

Dnata, a global provider of air and travel services, has entered into a joint venture with Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Group to launch ground handling and cargo operations at Alat International Airport, located in the Alat Free Economic Zone in Baku.

Oct 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced the release of version 7.5 of its mobile app, introducing new features aimed at making travel planning and management easier for customers during the holiday season.

Oct 22, 2025

The Fair Work Commission has ruled that a former employee of dnata Airport Services was unfairly dismissed and awarded $36,468.39 in compensation.

Oct 22, 2025