Double-decker passenger planes are a dying breed. These airlines are keeping them alive

They’re massive pieces of engineering that seem to defy physics as they hang in the air during takeoff and landing, but double-decker passenger airplanes — the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380 — are still some of the most popular aircraft around. Perhaps it’s their whisper-quiet cabins and spacious designs. Or the availability of opulent amenities, like shower suites and onboard bars. For aviation enthusiasts, there’s the added novelty of flying on a plane’s upper deck or nose. However, it’s a matter of when — not if — these planes will be retired once and for all. Over a half-century ago, the 747, the original jumbo jet, ushered in a glamorous jet age, helping bring affordable air travel to the world. But in today’s era, the double-deckers are too big and too expensive for most airlines. Thankfully, travelers can experience these aircraft for at least another decade. Today, 11 airlines around the world fly two-level passenger planes. To stay competitive, several carriers are even investing in them with updated seats and refreshed onboard amenities. Double-decker planes aren’t produced anymore, with Boeing ending 747 production in 2022 and Airbus calling it quits on the A380 — the world’s biggest passenger plane — in 2021. Therefore, their lifespan is reliant on what is already in airlines’ fleets. The pandemic accelerated the double-decker’s demise, with carriers like Air France permanently grounding its 10 superjumbo A380s. “The problem with the A380 is not necessarily its size, but its lack of efficiency,” says Brian Sumers, an aviation expert and founder of The Airline Observer.<br/>