United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Pandemic leads to early retirement for A380 ‘super jumbo’
Air France will immediately phase out its entire Airbus A380 ‘super jumbo’ fleet due to the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on air travel, the airline announced in a statement today.
The carrier, one of the last to operate the double-decker aircraft, said the phase-out of its A380s fits with the Air France-KLM Group strategy to make its fleet more competitive.
It had planned to retire its nine A380s by 2022 but said this date had been brought forward due to the current crisis.
The aircraft, the oldest of which have been flying for just 11 years, uses about 20% to 25% more fuel burn than the Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s which will be used to replace them.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel