British Airways' A380 returns to service next month
In great news for both international travel and aviation enthusiasts, British Airways' biggest aircraft will return to regularly scheduled passenger service in November.
After sitting in storage for some 18 months, five of BA's 12-strong double-decker aircraft will initially be used on short-haul services from the carrier's London Heathrow (LHR) hub to Frankfurt (FRA) and Madrid (MAD) from Nov. 8, according to Head For Points, which quoted internal scheduling documents. This is to refamiliarize pilots and crew with operating the world's largest commercial aircraft.
Sign up to receive the daily TPG newsletter for more travel news and insights.
The four-class aircraft has 469 seats across four cabins, with 14 First class, 97 Club World business class, 55 World Traveller Plus premium economy and 303 World Traveller economy seats. The Club World cabin features the older business-class seats, and not the new Club Suite seats.
If you're looking for a very unusual way to fly within Europe next month, you can expect good Avios availability and a comfortable ride on this four-engine superjumbo. It's likely British Airways and Oneworld elites will be able to select premium-economy seats with economy tickets on these short flights, though the spacious and luxurious first-class cabin may be blocked.
The airline is then expected to roster the Airbus A380 on long-haul routes from early December with all four classes on sale, including those that regularly saw this aircraft type, including Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX). Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is expected to receive a British Airways A380 for the first time starting in December, according to updates in Cirrum scheduling.
Storing the world's largest aircraft is no easy feat: British Airways has needed to find space for all 12 of its A380s in environments suitable for long-term aircraft storage. Aviation enthusiasts passing through Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport, home to BA's sister airline, Iberia will spot half of BA's A380 fleet resting in the dry and hot conditions.
Returning stored aircraft to service is also a complex process.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app