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For sale: Malaysia Airlines puts 6 of its Airbus A380s on the market

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Mike Avila is an Emmy Award-winning TV producer who has worked for NBC, CBS and ABC, to name just a few. He’s author of books such as the recent “Wolverine: Creating Marvel’s Legendary Mutant.” He also was executive producer of the SYFY Originals documentary, “Todd McFarlane: Like Hell I Won’t.”
July 17, 2021
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2 min read
For sale: Malaysia Airlines puts 6 of its Airbus A380s on the market
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In a move that surprised few industry observers, Malaysia Airlines has officially put the "For Sale" sign up on its fleet of A380-800 aircraft.

The sale was a move seen as inevitable, given the challenges facing the aviation industry in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. The expected slow return of international travel demand makes double-decker, long-haul and fuel-inefficient planes like the A380, which can seat close to 500 people, a woe for most airlines. The jets currently sit in storage in Kuala Lumpur.

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In fact, one of the most surprising aspects of the announcement that Malaysia Airlines was selling its half-dozen A380s was the platform it chose for the announcement. The airline posted the news on its LinkedIn page, asking for offers on the planes to be submitted by noon on August 12.

Unloading the A380s has been something the airline has wanted to do for some time. TPG reported six years ago that Malaysia Air was exploring selling off the planes back then. But the fallout from the coronavirus and how it is transforming air travel seems to have convinced the airline to unload its giant jets.

Malaysia is far from the only airline getting out of the super-jumbo jet. Air France, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar and Thai have all grounded at least a portion of their A380 jets.

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Malaysia Air's fleet isn't very old. The planes were all purchased around the same time, and are each less than 10 years old.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Best for the well-traveled foodie

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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Why We Chose It

There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.

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  • Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
  • Few travel perks and protections
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees