Why the US airlines despised the Airbus A380

In this video, we'll discuss the reasons why the legacy carriers within the US have not ordered the Airbus A380. We'll cover ETOPS, range, demand, alliances, and use of other narrowbody aircraft.

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Navgeek Aviation

[davidoldham]

Why use the word despise other than for click bait. US legacy carriers have had no problems ordering and using Airbus products. The A380 did not fit their business model pure and simple. If you create the right product for their needs they will buy it.

[paulypaul]

It’s my understanding that the a380 required massive capital costs for the airports to accommodate the plane. Terminals, sky walks, hardware etc etc. It was most cost effective to have sensible sized planes that didn’t require the infrastructure uplift.

[Korbert]

Using the word "despise" in this context just seems unprofessional
.

[Dcc]

They were damn geniuses at Boeing. They decided not to flex back at the A380, and just do a moderate update to the 747 to make it more efficient. They knew it's a good plane and that it also has its purpose as a freighter. The A380 is just that new big kid on the block the flexed at the 747, but the 747 just stepped back and watched the A380 fall to its impending doom from the very beginning.

[jimhom]

Just because they don't need it doesn't mean they depised it. All it means they don't think they make as money from it as other planes or that it was too risky a proposition.

[carlmaster]

The American Aviation Market prefers "Frequency over Capacity", hence why American, Delta and United never ordered the A340, A380, 747-8, 777X etc.

[eddiec]

An amazing piece of history is now coming to an end with these beautiful 4 engine jets. I will tell my grandkids of all these awesome airplanes that used to fly in our skies.

[gslogar]

It will never compete with two engine aircraft that’s it. US airlines never saw this a practical airplane.

[blameyourself]

I saw an aircraft in the sky yesterday. Something I haven't seen for almost two weeks now ...

[HoLeeChit]

New title: Why Nav Geek despises Airbus.

[drteeth]

I heard they the A380 cannot be converted to a freighter due to the full length second deck (not possible to remove it).

[valeriosalvador]

Just economically impractical for most airlines. Other than that, a masterclass in engineering. Will always be.

[smitajky]

American airlines also found reasons to not buy the Concorde, and the military avoided buying Harrier Jump Jets. There is always more than meets the eye.

[shanegermany]

Although people have been negative about the A380, it has been a success for Emirates, eithad, Qatar, BA and Quantas which fly ultra long haul flights.

[sannidhyabalkote]

well, the a380 is the epitomy of passenger comfort, and us airlines,

[cancelanime]

AA actually operated the 747 but they retired it in the early 90s

[tfdtfdtfd]

"Small cities like Seattle and Denver, ...." LOL

[MymdBoeing]

I have been a pilot for 25 years. A380 was a failure from the get-go. You will see more 787 in use.

[altermanchannel]

The U.S. airlines didn't despise the Airbus A380. They simply found that the Airbus A380 was not suitable for their business model. Experience judgement is used when deciding what aircraft is most suitable for an airline's business model. None of the U.S. airlines found that the Airbus A380 was a suitable choice for their fleet simply because it was not cost effective. An aircraft such as the Airbus A380 is expensive to operate and the operating costs were the reason why the U.S. airlines chose not to acquire the Airbus A380. Also none of them have a route that has a large enough passenger volume to make the Airbus A380 worth cost. Why fly a 500 - 600 seat plane when a 250 - 300 seat plane would do fine and cost much less to operate. If some time in the future a U.S. airline finds themselves in need of such a large aircraft, then they may consider it. At this time, no U.S. airline needs an Airbus A380.

[IAM]

1:45 That photo reminds me of JAL 123.