Emirates was the first airline to order the Airbus A380 and became its launch customer.
Emirates placed its initial A380 order in 2000, helping Airbus proceed with development of its very large double-deck passenger aircraft. The airline’s Dubai hub and high-volume long-haul network made it a natural customer for an aircraft designed to carry large numbers of passengers between major airports.
Singapore Airlines became the first airline to operate the A380 commercially in 2007, but Emirates was the launch customer and eventually became the type’s largest operator. The distinction between ordering, receiving and operating an aircraft is important in aviation history.
The A380 was designed for congested major airports and high-demand routes. Its four engines and two full passenger decks made it substantially larger than the Boeing 747, although changing airline economics later shifted demand toward smaller twin-engine aircraft.