Lufthansa Airbus A380 Returns To Los Angeles

Lufthansa has returned its Airbus A380s to Los Angeles for the first time in multiple years.

A return from the German flag carrier comes following the reintroduction of the world’s largest passenger plane. A reintroduction that follows a long-term grounding.

Returning To Los Angeles

The Airbus A380 operated a Munch to Los Angeles service, with the inbound aircraft touching down at 1520 local time.

Previously, Lufthansa had been deploying its Airbus A350 on the route, as well as the Boeing 747-8, during times too.

However, the stature of the Airbus A380 and its significant capacity increase meant adding it to the Los Angeles route was a natural decision.

Lufthansa Brings Back The Airbus A380

There was a lot of uncertainty around the status of the Airbus A380 within the Lufthansa fleet. The carrier went as far as announcing its retirement during the height of the pandemic.

Lufthansa was also an airline that seemed adamant that it wouldn’t need to return the plane to service. Instead, it favoured utilising twin-engine widebodies to meet demand as it slowly returned.

Ultimately, demand would surge back far quicker than anyone would anticipate, and for Lufthansa, it was left scrambling to find means to meet such a capacity.

In comes the world’s largest passenger plane, the A380, an aircraft that seemingly had no future with Lufthansa but was reactivated to meet the rising demand.

Delays Acquiring New Aircraft From Airbus And Boeing

For Lufthansa, their frustrations over acquiring next-generation widebodies have also been more than present.

Notably, the carrier was expected to welcome its first 777X at the beginning of the decade. However, thanks to delays with the certification process, Boeing adjusted its EIS to 2025.

Additionally, delays in delivery of types like the 787 and A350 have meant Lufthansa has not had routine deliveries and has thus been forced to use its older, less fuel-efficient types.