Jawohl! The whale population of the skies is set to grow yet again.
German flag carrier Lufthansa has confirmed that it will be bringing some of its Airbus A380 Superjumbos back into service.
Lufthansa passengers can expect to be able to fly the giant bird once again next summer 2023.
“We decided today to put the A380, which continues to enjoy great popularity, back into service at Lufthansa in summer 2023,” said a spokesperson for the Executive Board of Members of Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
Here’s what we know about the return of Lufty’s A380s.
Lufthansa A380s To Start Flying Again in 2023
Lufthansa was not alone in putting its Airbus A380s into hibernation when the pandemic took its toll on the world starting in March 2020.
Then, in August 2021, we learned the sad news that Lufthansa’s A380s would in fact be retired for good — never to take to the skies again.
Now, months later, the demand for travel — especially long-haul — has taken off again in such a way that the airline deems the capacity of its behemoth 509-seater jets as necessary after all.
Lufthansa A380 coming in for a landing. Image Credit: LufthansaPre-pandemic, Lufthansa had 14 Airbus A380s in operation, serving far-flung destinations like Bangkok (BKK), Delhi (DEL), New York (JFK), Seoul (ICN), and Tokyo (NRT).
While 6 of the stored aircraft have been sold, the 8 that remain in Lufthansa’s possession will hopefully make their return to the skies from its hubs in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) in the summer of 2023.
The airline has yet to confirm exactly how many of the A380 jets will return, as well as the routes they’ll serve.
Flying on a Lufthansa A380
Owing to its spacious cabins, smooth flying, and general all-around massiveness, the A380 is a firm favorite of many a frequent traveler and AvGeek, and Lufthansa’s version is no exception.
At the front of the jumbo on the upper deck, there are 8 open suites in first class, followed by 78 lie-flat business class seats that stretch almost the entire length of the cabin. Tucked away at the rear are 35 economy class seats in a 2-4-2 configuration.
Downstairs at the front of the lower deck are 52 premium economy recliner seats in a 2-4-2 configuration and 336 economy seats arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration, for the most part.
Bottom Line: Flying Lufthansa first class on the A380 is an experience you should certainly consider adding to your aviation wish list. We’ll let Upgraded Points writer Greg Stone’s experience be the proof you need.
Final Thoughts
Lufthansa’s announcement that some of its A380s would be brought back into service was a pleasant surprise for many, including for us here at Upgraded Points.
We’ll let you know as soon as we get confirmation of exactly how many jets will be returning but, more importantly, which destinations they’ll be flying to.
Featured Image Credit:
Lufthansa
