Emirates plans to keep its fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft flying until the late 2030s, as the world’s largest international airline seeks to extend the life of the iconic double-decker jets that have been central to its global growth.

Emirates plans to carry out one final upgrade to the first-class cabins of its Airbus A380 fleet before retiring the aircraft at the end of the 2030s, Emirates President Tim Clark announced at an aviation event in New Delhi.

The airline is investing billions of dollars to extend the lifespan of its more than 100 A380s, making it the only major carrier still operating the aircraft in large numbers.

Airbus ended A380 production in early 2019 due to a lack of orders, with Emirates as its last significant customer.

Clark is extending the service life of Emirates’ A380 fleet due to the absence of a suitable replacement.

The airline has avoided ordering the Airbus A350-1000, citing concerns over the reliability of its Rolls-Royce engines.

Meanwhile, the Boeing 777X — considered a key future aircraft for Emirates — isn’t expected to be delivered until at least next year, leaving the A380 as the backbone of its long-haul operations for now.

Clark said Boeing is now offering more clarity on the 777X delivery schedule, with the aircraft potentially entering global service by fall next year.

Meanwhile, Emirates is rolling out a refreshed A380 interior featuring a four-class configuration: first, business, premium economy, and economy.

The airline’s signature first-class cabins include fully enclosed suites and onboard showers, while business-class passengers can gather at a dedicated bar on the upper deck—features that continue to set the A380 apart on long-haul routes.