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  4. Airbus is auctioning parts of a retired Emirates A380 superjumbo. There's more than 500 items, including a cockpit staircase, seats, and galley carts.

Airbus is auctioning parts of a retired Emirates A380 superjumbo. There's more than 500 items, including a cockpit staircase, seats, and galley carts.

Taylor Rains,Stephen Jones   

Airbus is auctioning parts of a retired Emirates A380 superjumbo. There's more than 500 items, including a cockpit staircase, seats, and galley carts.
Airbus' MSN13 that flew for Emirates, registered A6-EDB.Adrian Pingstone
  • French planemaker Airbus is auctioning 500 pieces of a decommissioned A380 superjumbo aircraft.
  • The jet is the 13th A380 Airbus made and flew for Emirates for 13 years from 2008 to 2021.

Soon, aviation enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get their hands on a piece of history.

Soon, aviation enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get their hands on a piece of history.
An Emirates Airbus A380.      Arnold Aaron/Shutterstock.com

In February, French planemaker Airbus announced an auction of one of its first-ever A380s.

In February, French planemaker Airbus announced an auction of one of its first-ever A380s.
Airbus' 13th A380 — MSN13, registered A6-EDB.      James/Flickr

Source: Airbus

The three-day auction, handled by Marc Labarbe, will see more than 500 items come up for sale from the decommissioned superjumbo.

The three-day auction, handled by Marc Labarbe, will see more than 500 items come up for sale from the decommissioned superjumbo.
Airbus A380 auction item — pilot side stick.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Airbus

The event is taking place from October 13 to 15 in Toulouse, France, where Airbus is headquartered.

The event is taking place from October 13 to 15 in Toulouse, France, where Airbus is headquartered.
Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.      Georges Gobet/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Airbus

The A380, which has the serial number MSN13, first entered service in October 2008 for Emirates, which is the world's largest A380 operator.

The A380, which has the serial number MSN13, first entered service in October 2008 for Emirates, which is the world
Airbus' MSN13 that flew for Emirates, registered A6-EDB.      Adrian Pingstone

Source: Airbus

It flew thousands of hours until it was retired during the coronavirus pandemic.

It flew thousands of hours until it was retired during the coronavirus pandemic.
Airbus' MSN13 flying for Emirates, registered A6-EDB.      Robert Underwood/Flickr

While the mammoth jet is an icon and a visual beauty, COVID-19 was the nail in the coffin for the fleeting A380.

While the mammoth jet is an icon and a visual beauty, COVID-19 was the nail in the coffin for the fleeting A380.
An Airbus A380.      A. Doumenjou/Airbus

Carriers like Air France, Thai Airways, and Etihad Airways, all retired the quad-engine jet over the past two years simply because it was unsustainable.

Carriers like Air France, Thai Airways, and Etihad Airways, all retired the quad-engine jet over the past two years simply because it was unsustainable.
Air France Airbus A380      roibu/Shutterstock

When Airbus created the A380, it wanted to compete with Boeing's massive, high-capacity 747, which revolutionized long-haul travel.

When Airbus created the A380, it wanted to compete with Boeing
Boeing 747.      Boeing

Taking its first flight in 1970 with Pan Am, the iconic Queen of the Skies made air travel affordable for the first time for more people than just the rich and famous.

Taking its first flight in 1970 with Pan Am, the iconic Queen of the Skies made air travel affordable for the first time for more people than just the rich and famous.
First Pan Am 747 in London after its maiden flight.      -/AFP via Getty Images

Source: Insider

After decades of watching Boeing's success, Airbus jumped on the same train, flying its first A380 in 2005.

After decades of watching Boeing
First A380 flight.      Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Source: Insider

While the first few years were promising, airlines started to lose interest in the superjumbo in favor of more fuel-efficient planes.

While the first few years were promising, airlines started to lose interest in the superjumbo in favor of more fuel-efficient planes.
Airbus' A380 had four engines instead of two, which is today favored by airlines.      Belish/Shutterstock

Source: Insider

The A380 is a solid workhorse for international carriers that have a strong hub-and-spoke network, like Emirates, because it needs the large plane to fly passengers through a central base.

The A380 is a solid workhorse for international carriers that have a strong hub-and-spoke network, like Emirates, because it needs the large plane to fly passengers through a central base.
Emirates has 118 A380s, having delivered the last-ever built in 2021.      Airbus

But, many global carriers have moved away from that strategy to operate more time-saving point-to-point routes using lower-capacity, twin-engine jets, like the Boeing 777…

But, many global carriers have moved away from that strategy to operate more time-saving point-to-point routes using lower-capacity, twin-engine jets, like the Boeing 777…
Ryken Martin/Shutterstock

…and the Airbus A330.

…and the Airbus A330.
Airbus A330-900neo.      Airbus

Source: Insider

And, manufacturers have focused on increasing the capacity of next-generation planes, like Boeing's 777X and Airbus' A350-1000, to meet the needs of high-demand markets without sacrificing operating costs.

And, manufacturers have focused on increasing the capacity of next-generation planes, like Boeing
Boeing 777X.      AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Source: Insider

Meanwhile, the Boeing 787, which has acted as a replacement for the Boeing 767, targets routes that were too niche for a 777 or A330, but can still be profitable using a lower-capacity jet.

Meanwhile, the Boeing 787, which has acted as a replacement for the Boeing 767, targets routes that were too niche for a 777 or A330, but can still be profitable using a lower-capacity jet.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner.      AP

Source: Insider

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in 2017 that it was "a bit cheaper" to operate two twin-engine Boeing 787-9s than it was to operate one A380.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in 2017 that it was "a bit cheaper" to operate two twin-engine Boeing 787-9s than it was to operate one A380.
Qantas Boeing 787-9.      Toshi K/Shutterstock

Source: Insider

Despite its fall from grace, the A380 is still beloved by aviation enthusiasts around the world and Airbus is banking on that love to keep the superjumbo's legacy alive.

Despite its fall from grace, the A380 is still beloved by aviation enthusiasts around the world and Airbus is banking on that love to keep the superjumbo
Lufthansa's Airbus A380.      Lufthansa.

Airbus first announced the auction in February as a "tribute" to the iconic aircraft. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to Airbus's charity foundation and to aviation heritage charity, AIRtage.

Airbus first announced the auction in February as a "tribute" to the iconic aircraft. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to Airbus
Airbus A380 auction item — rear engine part.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Airbus

The majority of the nearly 500 items up for grabs come from the superjumbo's cabin, as well as various pieces of hardware and clothing that would have been used on the plane.

The majority of the nearly 500 items up for grabs come from the superjumbo
Airbus A380 auction item — carbon fiber longboard.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Airbus

Items include crew jumpseats...

Items include crew jumpseats...
Airbus A380 auction item — crew jumpseat.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

…seat belts…

…seat belts…
Airbus A380 auction item — seatbelt.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

…a cabin door, through which many of the plane's 489 passengers would have entered the aircraft...

…a cabin door, through which many of the plane
Airbus A380 auction item — passenger boarding door.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

…and a set of lights from Emirates' business class cabin.

…and a set of lights from Emirates
Airbus A380 auction item — business class seat lights.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

The auction also includes items from the aircraft's cockpit including a set of stairs that led up to the flight deck…

The auction also includes items from the aircraft
Airbus A380 auction item — cockpit stairs.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

…a microphone, used by pilots for announcements…

…a microphone, used by pilots for announcements…
Airbus A380 auction item — cockpit microphone.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

…as well as an oxygen mask, used in case the cabin lost pressure.

…as well as an oxygen mask, used in case the cabin lost pressure.
Airbus A380 auction item — cockpit oxygen mask.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Drouot

Also listed on the auction are several sections from the airframe, including cabin windows, which are popular among aviation enthusiasts who have put these to all sorts of uses, like wall art.

Also listed on the auction are several sections from the airframe, including cabin windows, which are popular among aviation enthusiasts who have put these to all sorts of uses, like wall art.
English design company Aerotiques turns 747 window panels into wall art.      Courtesy of Aerotiques

Airbus has also commissioned a series of artists to upscale some of the equipment, including a galley cart, painted by street artist Kelly...

Airbus has also commissioned a series of artists to upscale some of the equipment, including a galley cart, painted by street artist Kelly...
Airbus A380 auction item — painted galley cart.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Airbus

...and a set of engine fan blades painted by street artists Sabha...

...and a set of engine fan blades painted by street artists Sabha...
Airbus A380 auction item — fan blade painted by Sabha.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Source: Airbus

...and Miadana.

...and Miadana.
Airbus A380 auction item — fan blade painted by Miadana.      Marion Brochart/Airbus

Airbus is not the only company repurposing parts of decommissioned aircraft. English design company Aerotiques creates furniture and accessories from retired Boeing 747s…

Airbus is not the only company repurposing parts of decommissioned aircraft. English design company Aerotiques creates furniture and accessories from retired Boeing 747s…
Aerotiques Boeing Stearman table.      Courtesy of Aerotiques

Source: Insider

…while an old Airbus A300 was sunk for diving tourism in 2016.

…while an old Airbus A300 was sunk for diving tourism in 2016.
Divers at the A300 dive site.      Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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