In 2015, the A380 superjumbo celebrated 10 years since its launch. But has it lived up to expectations? Click on for a gallery of the A380 through the years.
Emirates A380s —
In 2015, the A380 superjumbo celebrated 10 years since its launch. But has it lived up to expectations? Click on for a gallery of the A380 through the years.
Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
The A380 took its maiden flight on April 27, 2005. At 79.8 meters wide, the aircraft is the largest commercial passenger plane in operation.
Largest commercial airliner —
The A380 took its maiden flight on April 27, 2005. At 79.8 meters wide, the aircraft is the largest commercial passenger plane in operation.
Getty Images
Different sections of the A380 are built in different locations across Europe then brought for assembly in Toulouse, France. Here the rear section of the fuselage of the first A380 makes its way by barge through the French city of Bordeaux.
A plane of many parts —
Different sections of the A380 are built in different locations across Europe then brought for assembly in Toulouse, France. Here the rear section of the fuselage of the first A380 makes its way by barge through the French city of Bordeaux.
MICHEL GANGNE/AFP/Getty Images
The Toulouse production line is currently working through an order list of more than 160 aircraft.
On down the line —
The Toulouse production line is currently working through an order list of more than 160 aircraft.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images
More than 50,000 people gathered to watch the A380's maiden flight at France's Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.
Maiden flight —
More than 50,000 people gathered to watch the A380's maiden flight at France's Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.
Pascal Parrot/Getty Images
That maiden test flight was a success, much to the relief of Airbus, which had sunk $13 billion and 11 years of work into developing the aircraft.
Successful test —
That maiden test flight was a success, much to the relief of Airbus, which had sunk $13 billion and 11 years of work into developing the aircraft.
ERIC CABANIS/AFP/Getty Images
Singapore Airlines was the first to take delivery of an A380. The first commercial A380 flight ran from Singapore to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on October 25, 2007.
Singapore Airlines A380 —
Singapore Airlines was the first to take delivery of an A380. The first commercial A380 flight ran from Singapore to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on October 25, 2007.
Getty Images
Malaysia Airlines acquired its first A380 in 2012.
Malaysia Airlines A380 —
Malaysia Airlines acquired its first A380 in 2012.
Malaysia Airways
The A380's size means it can easily accommodate a lounge bar, such as this one offered by Emirates. Other airlines have promised gyms or casinos, but haven't delivered.
A380 lounge —
The A380's size means it can easily accommodate a lounge bar, such as this one offered by Emirates. Other airlines have promised gyms or casinos, but haven't delivered.
AFP/Getty Images
The A380 has proved a hit with passengers, particularly premium ticket-holders wowed by the comfort levels available. Ethiad was the first airline to offer fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed.
Passenger popularity —
The A380 has proved a hit with passengers, particularly premium ticket-holders wowed by the comfort levels available. Ethiad was the first airline to offer fully private suites with a separate reclining lounge seat and full-length bed.
Courtesy Ethiad
Beyond Emirates, sales of the A380 have been sluggish. Just 317 A380s had been ordered as of summer 2015. Airbus has said it believes the aircraft still has a bright future.
Sluggish sales —
Beyond Emirates, sales of the A380 have been sluggish. Just 317 A380s had been ordered as of summer 2015. Airbus has said it believes the aircraft still has a bright future.
MN Chan/Getty Images
Airbus A380 through the years
CNN  — 

It seems big is no longer best for disaster-hit Malaysia Airlines – it’s said to be offloading its entire fleet of A380 superjumbos.

Malaysia has struggled financially in the wake of twin tragedies in 2014, including the disappearance of flight MH370 and the shooting down of MH17 over Ukraine.

Aviation website Leeham News, citing the airline, says Malaysia is offering all six of its A380s for sale or lease.

Restructuring measures also include letting go of its two Boeing 747-400Fs and four Boeing 777-200ERs.

Malaysia Airlines, which has a fleet of about 150 jets, was privatized last year following the two disasters. The airline had been posting losses for three years.

Some 239 people were presumed killed when flight MH370 vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.

All 298 people on board MH17 were killed when it was shot down over Ukrainian airspace on July 17, 2014.

Neither incident involved an A380.

Super jumbo test

Leeham says the sale, which comes just days after the A380 celebrated 10 years in the air, will be an interesting hurdle for the superjumbo at a time of mixed fortunes for the aircraft.

“The disposal of all six A380s presents an opportunity to test the market for used A380s and whether a key component to Airbus’ strategy for the superjumbo going forward will work: allow airlines to try out the airplane without having to spent the huge amount of money required to buy new,” it says.

“After experiencing the A380, the theory goes, other carriers will understand how this can spur sales.”

Analysts believe the A380 still has a strong future despite only 317 of the aircraft being sold over the past decade.

They say demand is expected to rise as major aviation hubs become more congested and airlines seek to maximize increasingly scarce access to runways and departure gates.