The Airbus A380-800 is the bigger, roomier and quieter airplane. The Boeing 747-8I is the longer, lighter, slightly faster one. The A380 carries about 30% more passengers in a typical layout (roughly 500 to 550 versus 410 to 467) and has two full-length passenger decks. The 747-8I is 3.6 m longer, but its upper deck covers only the front of the fuselage.
For passengers, the A380 usually wins on cabin space and noise. Aviation fans often prefer the 747-8I for its history, its nose-section seats and its rarity: only three airlines still fly it with passengers.
If you want to fly one in 2026, the A380 is far easier to find. About 160 to 190 A380s sit on airline books across ten operators, led by Emirates with 116. The passenger 747-8I is down to fewer than 30 jets at Lufthansa, Air China and Korean Air.
A380-800 vs. 747-8I: specs side by side
The A380 wins on wingspan, height, weight, seats and range. The 747-8I wins on length and cruise speed.
| Spec | Airbus A380-800 | Boeing 747-8I |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 72.7 m (238 ft 7 in) | 76.3 m (250 ft 2 in) |
| Wingspan | 79.8 m (261 ft 8 in) | 68.4 m (224 ft 7 in) |
| Tail height | 24.1 m (79 ft) | 19.4 m (63 ft 6 in) |
| Fuselage width | 7.1 m | 6.5 m |
| Passenger decks | 2 full-length | 1 full + partial upper deck |
| Typical seats | 525 to 545 (Airbus figure) | 410 to 467 (Boeing figure) |
| Max certified seats | 853 | 605 |
| Max takeoff weight | 575 t (1,268,000 lb) | 448 t (987,000 lb) |
| Range | 8,000 nmi (14,800 km) | 7,730 nmi (14,320 km) |
| Typical cruise | Mach 0.85 | Mach 0.855 |
| Engines | 4 x Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or Engine Alliance GP7200 | 4 x GE GEnx-2B67 |
| Thrust per engine | ~70,000 to 76,500 lbf | ~66,500 lbf |
| First flight | April 27, 2005 | March 20, 2011 |
| Entry into service | October 2007 (Singapore Airlines) | June 2012 (Lufthansa) |
| Built | 251 | 48 passenger 747-8s, incl. VIP jets (155 747-8s of all types) |
| Production ended | 2021 | 2023 (all 747s) |
Seat counts vary widely by airline layout. Spec figures are manufacturer data; individual airframes differ slightly.
Size and capacity: which plane is bigger?
The A380 is bigger by every measure that matters for passengers. Both of its decks run nearly the full length of the fuselage; Airbus marketed it with about 49% more floor space than the 747-400 it was built to replace. The 747-8I’s famous hump only covers the front third of the plane.
The 747-8I holds one record: at 76.3 m, it is the longest passenger airliner ever built. That is about 3.6 m longer than the A380. But length alone does not make an airplane big.
The A380’s wingspan is 11.4 m wider, its tail is almost 5 m taller, and it weighs about 127 tonnes more at takeoff. Those dimensions forced airports to widen taxiways and build double-deck boarding gates. The 747-8I mostly fits the gates that older 747s already used.
How many passengers do they carry?
- A380-800: 480 to 615 seats in real airline layouts, with a certified maximum of 853 in all-economy.
- 747-8I: roughly 360 to 370 seats at today’s three operators, all in premium-heavy layouts. Boeing’s own typical figure is 410 to 467, with a certified maximum of 605.
In practice, an Emirates or Qantas A380 carries 100 to 150 more people per flight than a Lufthansa 747-8I.
Range, speed and engines
The A380 flies slightly farther; the 747-8I flies slightly faster. The A380-800 is rated for about 8,000 nautical miles (14,800 km) with a full passenger load. The 747-8I is rated for about 7,730 nmi (14,320 km). In airline service, both comfortably cover routes like Frankfurt to Buenos Aires or Dubai to Los Angeles.
The 747-8I cruises at around Mach 0.855, a hair quicker than the A380’s Mach 0.85. On a 12-hour flight the difference is a few minutes, not a selling point.
Engines
Both jets have four engines, but they come from different generations.
- A380-800: Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or Engine Alliance GP7200 (a GE and Pratt & Whitney joint venture), each producing about 70,000 to 76,500 lbf of thrust.
- 747-8I: GE GEnx-2B67, a scaled version of the engine on the Boeing 787, at about 66,500 lbf each.
The GEnx is the newer design. That is a big part of why the 747-8I burns less fuel per trip than the A380, even though it carries fewer people.
Efficiency and airline economics
Neither plane is efficient by today’s standards, and both sold poorly. Airbus built 251 A380s and Boeing built just 48 passenger 747-8s. Airlines moved to big twin-engine jets like the Boeing 777 and 787 and the Airbus A350, which burn far less fuel and are easier to fill.
The trade-off between the two four-engine jets is simple:
- The A380 is cheaper per seat when it is full. Spreading fuel and crew costs across 500+ passengers makes it competitive on crowded, slot-limited routes such as Dubai to London Heathrow.
- The 747-8I is cheaper per trip. It is about 127 tonnes lighter at takeoff and has newer engines, so it burns less fuel on each flight. It hurts less when the cabin is not full.
That explains who kept each type. Emirates, with a giant hub and huge connecting traffic, can fill A380s and plans to have about 110 flying by the end of 2026. Lufthansa uses the 747-8I as a premium-heavy flagship on trunk routes from Frankfurt and is expected to keep the type well into the 2030s, refitting it with its new Allegris cabins.
The 747-8 survived longer in production because of its freighter version. Of the 155 747-8s built, 107 were 747-8F cargo jets. Airbus cancelled its A380 freighter before one was ever built.
Passenger experience: which is more comfortable?
Most passengers find the A380 more comfortable; enthusiasts often prefer the 747-8I’s character. Cabin products depend far more on the airline than on the airplane, but each design shapes what is possible.
| Factor | Airbus A380-800 | Boeing 747-8I |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin noise | Very quiet; widely rated the quietest widebody | Quieter than older 747s, louder than the A380 |
| Economy width | Main deck often 10-abreast with 18-inch seats | 10-abreast, typically about 17.2-inch seats |
| Upper deck | Full-length deck, usually all premium cabins | Short hump: small business cabin or first class |
| Signature spaces | Onboard bars and lounges (Emirates, Qatar), Emirates First shower spa | Nose-section first and business seats with no one in front of you |
| Boarding and arrival | Long waits with 500+ people; double-deck gates help | Fewer passengers, faster boarding |
| Ride feel | Smooth in turbulence thanks to its weight and huge wing | Smooth, with a noticeable nose-up “jumbo” climb |
The A380’s quiet cabin and wide main-deck seats are its strongest arguments. Its large stair-free upper deck also lets airlines build bars, showers and lounges that no other airliner can fit.
The 747-8I’s appeal is different. Sitting in the nose, with the cockpit above you and windows curving forward, is an experience no other jet offers. Korean Air’s 747-8 first class is a favorite among frequent flyers, and Lufthansa is bringing its new Allegris cabins to its 747-8 fleet.
Where you can still fly each in 2026
You have about ten airlines to choose from for the A380, and only three for the 747-8I. Cirium schedule data projected about 84,000 A380 passenger flights in 2026, versus roughly 10,100 for the 747-8.
Airbus A380-800 operators
| Airline | Approx. A380 fleet | Main hub | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 116 owned, ~110 flying by end-2026 | Dubai (DXB) | Growing its active fleet; flying it into the 2030s |
| Singapore Airlines | ~10 | Singapore (SIN) | Launch customer, still flying it |
| British Airways | 12 | London Heathrow (LHR) | Still flying it |
| Qantas | ~10 | Sydney (SYD) | Phase-out from 2028 |
| Qatar Airways | ~8 | Doha (DOH) | Replacement planned around 2035 |
| Lufthansa | ~8 | Munich (MUC) | Phase-out around 2030 |
| Korean Air | ~10 | Seoul (ICN) | Retiring before 2031 |
| Etihad, ANA, Asiana | Small fleets | Abu Dhabi, Tokyo, Seoul | Varies by route and season |
Boeing 747-8I operators
| Airline | Passenger 747-8Is | Main hub | Typical routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa | 17 to 19 (two sold to the U.S. government in 2026) | Frankfurt (FRA) | Frankfurt to the U.S., Buenos Aires, Asia |
| Air China | 5 (plus 2 VIP jets) | Beijing (PEK) | Beijing domestic trunk routes, some international |
| Korean Air | 4 | Seoul (ICN) | Transpacific, including Los Angeles |
Flying a 747-8I is getting harder. No passenger 747 flights remain on UK schedules in 2026, and Korean Air has sold five of its 747-8Is to Sierra Nevada Corporation for U.S. Air Force conversion. Check the aircraft type on your booking, because airlines swap equipment often.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the A380 for comfort and easy availability; pick the 747-8I for the experience before it is gone.
- You want the quietest, roomiest flight: A380. Book the upper deck if you are flying premium, or a main-deck window near the rear for the widest economy seats.
- You want a bar, lounge or onboard shower: A380 with Emirates or Qatar Airways in business or first.
- You are an aviation fan ticking off types: 747-8I. Aim for a nose seat on Lufthansa (first class) or Korean Air, and fly it soon.
- You want fewer crowds at boarding and baggage claim: 747-8I. You are sharing the plane with about 150 fewer people.
- You just want the best schedule and price: Ignore the airplane type. Both are being replaced by twin-engine jets, and the cabin product matters more than the airframe.
Bottom line: the A380-800 is the better passenger airplane, and the 747-8I is the more iconic piece of history. With fewer than 30 passenger 747-8Is left, fly it while you can.
FAQ
Is the A380 bigger than the 747-8?
Yes. The A380-800 has a wider wingspan, a taller tail, two full-length decks, a higher takeoff weight and far more seats. The 747-8 is only bigger in one dimension: it is about 3.6 m longer.
What is the largest passenger plane in the world?
The Airbus A380-800 is the largest passenger airliner by capacity, weight and wingspan. The Boeing 747-8I is the longest passenger airliner ever built.
Which is faster, the A380 or the 747-8I?
The 747-8I cruises at about Mach 0.855, slightly faster than the A380’s Mach 0.85. The gap is too small to notice on a schedule.
Are the A380 and 747-8 still in production?
No. Airbus delivered its last A380 to Emirates in December 2021. Boeing delivered the final 747, a 747-8F freighter, in January 2023.
Which airlines fly the 747-8I?
Only Lufthansa, Air China and Korean Air fly the 747-8I with scheduled passengers in 2026. Lufthansa has by far the largest fleet.
Which airline has the most A380s?
Emirates, with 116 airframes. That is more than every other A380 operator combined.
Is the A380 safe?
Yes. No A380 has been lost in a fatal accident since it entered service in 2007. The 747-8I also has no fatal accidents on record.
Hi, I’m Bruno. I’ve worked in the aviation industry for over 6 years as a B1.1 Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. This blog is where I share insights on aviation and travel globally.