After weeks of speculation, Etihad Airways announced last Friday that its Airbus A380 jets will return to the skies in 2023.
Etihad grounded all ten of its famous double-decker planes more than two years ago at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak. Its CEO often indicated that they would likely never fly again. However, the quick recovery in travel has pushed some airlines, notably Etihad, to pull their largest jets from the desert.
The airline said on Friday that it will restart operating four Airbus A380s between its Abu Dhabi (AUH) base and London Heathrow beginning in the summer of 2023. (LHR). The Jet is expected to operate on all four daily frequencies between the two cities by October 2023.
According to Etihad’s schedule, the A380 will return on July 15, 2023.
This is a long-awaited breakthrough for aviation enthusiasts with bucket lists since these large first-class seats are usually regarded as among the greatest in the world. There’s also an ultra-exclusive “Residence” with a double bed and a personal butler. Along with Emirates First Class, Etihad’s A380 is one of only two commercial planes with a shower aboard.
Etihad claims the decision results from increased demand for air travel throughout their network and consumer comments requesting the return of one of the most extraordinary commercial flying experiences in the sky.
However, with just four A380s returning to operation, there is no sign that these planes will resume service to additional destinations, including flights to and from New York. Etihad previously flew the A380 to cities such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sydney, and Seoul.
Many Airbus A380 operators, like Air France and Singapore Airlines, used the pandemic as an excuse to retire or decrease their active fleet; however, Emirates remains dedicated to its A380s, and British Airways has already restored its whole 12-strong fleet to the skies.
Lufthansa also intends to revive some of its A380s in 2023. At the same time, Qatar Airways continued to fly the aircraft even though CEO Akbar Al Baker had called the A380 one of his biggest mistakes.
