Qantas will begin phasing out its Airbus A380 fleet from 2028, bringing forward the retirement of the superjumbo by about four years. The Australian carrier linked the move to the arrival of new long-haul aircraft, including the first Airbus A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise and additional Boeing 787-9 deliveries from 2027, as it shifts its international fleet towards more fuel-efficient twin-engine types.
The fleet comprises 10 A380s and will be withdrawn gradually, with no aircraft-by-aircraft timetable disclosed. Qantas is also in talks with Airbus and Boeing over converting around 20 options into firm orders from 2030, a step that could shape the next phase of its widebody renewal.
The timing came alongside full-year results that showed a 13.8% fall in underlying pre-tax profit, reflecting higher jet fuel costs. By accelerating the A380 retirement, Qantas expects to preserve network reach while improving capital efficiency as its long-haul strategy moves toward newer aircraft and lower operating costs.