Airbus A380: cabin configuration

Last update: August 5, 2013

With two full decks and a nominal design capacity of 525 seats in three-class configuration, the A380 offers airlines a wide number of options in terms of layouts. The aircraft has clear total seat capacity advantage over other long-range aircraft such as the A340-500/600, B777-200/300, B747-400 and even Boeing’s new 747-8 Intercontinental, although the A380 is at a disadvantage when it comes to carrying freight.

Most of the inital A380 customers have proved reluctant to turn the aircraft into an economy class workhorse. Instead, the initial focus has been on the premium traveller. Early A380 configurations have featured lavish amenities, reminiscent of the B747 when it first entered service in the 1970s. Singapore Airlines’ A380s boast first class suites with double beds, while Emirates A380s have showers. Several carriers offer bars and lounge areas. Korean Air has even outfitted its aircraft with an onboard duty free store.

Singapore Airlines’ initial A380 configuration was just 471 seats, while Emirates, the second A380 operator, had an initial configuration of 489 seats. A high benchmark may not be set until Emirates introduces a more dense configuration knowing that 853 is the maximum number of seats the aircraft is approved for.

Bucking the trend are Singapore Airlines and Korean Air.

Singapore Airlines in May 2011 took delivery of its first lower density A380 having 409 seats over its initial 471-seat configuration. The new configuration has 88 fewer economy seats in favour of 26 additional business class seats.

Korean Air in May 2011 took delivery of its first low density A380 having 407 seats.

A380 operators seat configurations

> Singapore Airlines

> Emirates

> Qantas

> Air France

> Lufthansa

> Korean Air

> China Southern

> Malaysia Airlines

> Thai Airways

> British Airways

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