Premium #110 – Does the A380 Need Re-engining to Compete with the A350 and 777-X?

Tim Clark at Emirates has been quite clear that he wants performance improvements for the A380, and as the largest customer by far, these comments carry considerable weight at Airbus.   With Emirates also a customer for the 777-9X, it is interesting to compare these two aircraft, and how they will stack-up economically.

Why are we comparing aircraft that are so far apart from a size perspective?  Simply because they will be among the alternatives several airlines will consider at as they build route structures over the next decade.  What are the factors that would influence the decision to fly an A380 on a route?  The answers include traffic, the need for larger premium class configurations, and airport constraints.