Emirates now operates the world’s oldest passenger‑carrying Airbus A380, with aircraft A6‑EDF back in regular service nearly two decades after its first flight. The superjumbo, manufacturer’s serial number 007, was built in 2005–2006 and is about 20 years old in 2025–2026. Long considered an early test and demonstration airframe before entering airline service, it has outlived many younger A380s already retired or parted out.
A6‑EDF spent around five years in storage at Dubai World Central from 2020, during the collapse in long‑haul demand and the widespread grounding of very large aircraft. It was ferried back to Dubai International on 30 December 2023, completed a 3.5‑hour test flight on 29 March 2025, then reentered commercial service on flight EK925 from Dubai to Cairo in early April 2025. Since then, it has been used on routes such as Dubai–Jeddah and Dubai–Zurich.
Until this reactivation, the oldest A380 in passenger service was a Qantas aircraft, VH‑OQA, delivered in 2008. The return of an even earlier frame changes the age ranking of the global A380 fleet and illustrates a partial revival of the type. Around 180 to 186 A380s remain in service worldwide with roughly a dozen airlines, out of 251 aircraft delivered between 2007 and 2021.