Airbus delivered the final A380 this week to Emirates, marking the end of a 16 year production run of 252 superjumbo aircraft. The aircraft (MSN 272) departed Airbus’ Hamburg facility bound for Dubai as the 123rd A380 in the Emirates fleet. The airline, by far the A380s best customer, has taken nearly 50 percent of the A380s delivered to a customer.

A final goodbye

After lifting off, A6-EVS circled back for a low pass over the Finkenwerder runway. The pass was low enough that calibrated altitude (which is reported in 25 foot increments) reported 0 feet—even though the wheels never touched the runway.

Why fly the wrong way?

In a word: paperwork. To complete the financial paperwork attached to the delivery of the aircraft, it needs to be in UK airspace. So the flight headed into UK airspace for a very short period and then continued home.

Airbus’ heartfelt goodbye

During the customer acceptance flight earlier this week, the aircraft drew a giant heart in the sky over Germany.

The final A380s delivered

MSN

REGISTRATION

AIRLINE

FIRST FLIGHT (AGE)

272
A6-EVS

Emirates

Mar 2021 (Brand new)

271
A6-EVR

Emirates

Feb 2021 (Brand new)

270
A6-EVQ

Emirates

Nov 2020 (1 year)

269
A6-EVP

Emirates

Aug 2020 (1 year)

268
A6-EVO

Emirates

Oct 2020 (1 year)

267
A6-EVN

Emirates

Feb 2020 (1 year)

266
JA383A

All Nippon Airways

Oct 2019 (2 years)

264
A6-EVM

Emirates

Dec 2019 (2 years)

263
JA382A

All Nippon Airways

Dec 2018 (3 years)

262
JA381A

All Nippon Airways

Sep 2018 (3 years)

Track all Emirates A380s