Return of the Giants! Are the B747's and A380's coming Back?!

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Are our beloved Giants, the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A380 really completely gone from production now and If that’s the case, Why are we then seeing more and more airlines today bringing them back into service again?!
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Below you will find the links to videos and sources used in this episode.

Sources

[MentourNow]

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[qzy]

I’m an A&P student, and a Boeing rep told us the other day that they have all the 747 tooling in storage in case they want to restart production. I was very surprised to hear that and took it with a large grain of salt, but that’s what one insider said.

[Mari-tryr]

These are beautiful aircraft. Nothing like watching a 747/380 land and take off...just majestic.

[kenbrown]

bottom line: it is sometimes more cost effective to run an older less efficient machine than to purchase a new machine that only gives a small increase in efficiency.

[FosterAdventures]

I've flown on an Emirates A380 and it was hands down the most comfortable flight I've ever been on. I'd love to fly on a 747 one day as well, so the fact that they're back in service makes me so happy!

[offshoretinker]

The A380 is the most awesome machine I have ever sat in.

[realArisawaHeavyInd]

First flight i ever took in my life was on a 747 when I was 17 and leaving home in Missouri to move to New Zealand on my own. The sheer scale of the aircraft added what was already a completely life-changing experience. Everything I was doing was so utterly new to me, and on top of all that, I was being taken to the other side of the world by something so impossibly gigantic. I was absolutely blown away by its enormity; I couldn't believe such a gargantuan machine could get off the ground. Have had a special place in my heart for these behemoths ever since, has always been a disappointment to me that I've never gotten to fly in another one since then

[Plen]

I was the happiest person alive when I discovered I will be flying the QANTAS A380 from Singapore to Sydney!!! Can’t wait to go A380 to and from London next year too!!!!

[keithlivingstone]

I live under an Atlantic flight path in NI. If I see ‘high fliers’ with four contrails I always check on FR24. Recently it’s been mostly Lufthansa 747s flying over. And here’s the thing, it ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.

[choosumfat]

I really love 747s and fly on them quite often, like once or twice a year, mainly on Lufthansa's route from NY to Germany. Though you can definitely see and feel their age. But I just flew on one to Frankfurt few months ago and surprisingly it was brand spanking new inside. Felt so good.

[lauset]

I remember when the 747 was first introduced. I flew on one in the early 1970s. The last 747 flight after the summer tours Air Canada from Toronto to Heathrow was less than a quarter full. Amazing and was able to see the flight deck (pre-hijack popularity). Cheers

[robg]

Great informative video! I used to work in aviation repair and overhaul at ASL Lemwerder formerly MBB, in Germany and I worked mainly on Airbus A300/310/330/340. Also, I worked extensively on Airbus A320/321/319. Working on Airbus aircraft was much easier structures wise than on Boeing. Airbus pioneered many of the modern methods of production and inovation. Perhaps you might consider making a video about aircraft repair and overhaul comparing Airbus and Boeing products. Also, include include a look at how European repair facilities have suffered at the hands of Asian fascilities, who priced them out of the market: ASL Lemwerder was a perfect example!

[CaraVerde]

Even for nobody who is very far from an aviation geek like me, the 747 left unforgettable experience to me as a child. The hump is unmistakable 😍

[Eddyspeeder]

The news that so many A380s will live to see another day made my heart jump.

It really hurt me when it was announced they'd be dismantled. I knew people who were part of the earliest design phases (modeling the aerodynamics etc.), so I had been anticipating this beautiful plane for in between 15 and 20 years. The first time one passed overhead on its approach into Frankfurt, I was in awe; I can still remember how the bluish shimmer of dawn accented its contours. The smooth rumbling of an A380 is unique and I love hearing it. And the first time on that plane... oh yes, what a smooth experience indeed! And my favorite part: adjusting the temperature on the water taps in the bathroom stalls. I hope you filmed that!

Taking all that into account, learning that they would only fly for 10 years and I would not ever be flying on one of those really was a gut-punching experience. Pretty crazy to be so infatuated with a pile of aluminum, huh?

[dennisdec]

Many A380 operators like British Airways have been sending their aircraft to Manila for extensive maintenance, repair and overhauling handled by Lufthansa Technik Philippines after a long storage before returning to full passenger service. My cousin is one of the engineers and technicians who worked on this massive aircraft.

[rover-t]

Flew Korean A380 to LAX last month and was so great. By far the most comfortable and quiet plane - ahead of the 747. Most memorable flights were on A380 Emirates Business with the bar in the rear!

[fltof]

It's impressive how good Mentour production quality has gotten lately. I mean, Petter always did an impressive job early on, but the help he's gotten is showing. I like his new set too! It's one of the more subtle 'I love me' walls. Although, I always liked the dog-friendly videos he did in his living room.

[ricardokowalski]

An additional factor is that there are not enough pilots/crew for multiple smaller aircraft.
The shortage of pilots RIGHT NOW (after the covid layoffs and retirements), means that they are making do with 747 and A380 rated pilots that are left. There is no point in training anybody on a 787 or 777x that it is not available.
One last thing, there is a *huge* market of 2nd hand spares for 747. That will surely have counted in the financial decision.

[stevetournay]

A340's been my favourite for years. Looks like an oversized 707 or DC-8 (whereas the 380 looks like an overfed one!).

[mendel]

Maybe they will convert them to freighters.

I would definitely like flying the 747 again.

As long as they can get service and replacement parts for the 747 it should be able to fly for about 30 years from delivery date to the airline.