Mile-high milestone: Lufthansa gives Denver first regular service on Airbus A380 superjumbo jet
The world’s largest passenger plane, the superjumbo Airbus A380, will begin its first-ever regularly scheduled flights to Denver International Airport (DEN) in just over three months.
Beginning April 30, Lufthansa will fly the A380 daily to Denver from its Munich Airport (MUC) hub. The double-decker plane that seats 509 passengers, including eight in first class and 78 in business class, will replace a newer but much-smaller Airbus A350-900 on the route.
Denver is the airline’s sixth A380 destination from Munich after reintroducing the plane in 2023 following a pandemic suspension. Lufthansa currently flies the superjumbo to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport (IAD).
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For Denver, Lufthansa's decision to put the A380 into regular service is a milestone. The only other time Denver saw an A380 was in 2018 when an Air France flight diverted to the airport.
Lufthansa's A380 decision is also a testament to DEN's growth in recent years. The airport handled 82.4 million passengers in 2024, a 19% jump from 2019 and enough to make it the third busiest in the U.S. after Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth. And international service to Denver has grown even faster; seats were up 47% last year compared to 2019, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.
Much of that growth is thanks to massive expansion there by hub carrier — and Lufthansa partner — United Airlines. The carrier has added dozens of new routes and flights thanks to a major expansion of the airport’s concourses; the Mile High City is now United's second largest hub after Chicago's O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Lufthansa is certainly betting that flight connections beyond Denver on United will fill its new superjumbo flight. Cirium schedules show at least 30 flight connections on United departing within 3 hours after Lufthansa’s Munich to Denver flight arrives to destinations like Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) that the European airline does not serve.
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The German airline claims onward connections to at least 170 destinations via Denver.
Lufthansa’s flights park on Concourse A in Denver, and travelers then traverse a bridge to the airport’s main terminal, where they clear customs and immigration. Departing fliers with lounge access will be able to use one of the new United Clubs that opened in 2023 and, eventually, a new Polaris Lounge located near gate A18 for travelers booked in business and first class.
“Passengers, airport visitors and crews love the A380, the flying experience and the feeling of space,” said Heiko Reitz, chief customer officer of Lufthansa Airlines, in a statement. “At the same time, the A380 offers more premium seats than any other aircraft.”
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.