But the emerging trend right now is to offer A380s with less seats than the 530+ seats that carriers like LH and AF are operating. Why? Because premium seating, especially in Business Class is a lucrative market. Since the A380 and the 747-8 have higher capacities, many carriers are looking to fill more premium seating in these planes on long haul stages to serve these markets rather than increase Y seating. For example, KE currently operates A380s with the least amount of seats, which is 407, while at the same time, providing around 100 of those seats in business and first class. Emerging carriers such as Sky Mark are also looking to outfit their new A380s with less than 400 seats in an all premium cabin configuration.

In the future, you will see carriers such as EK, which has the largest order of A380s, providing both high density and premium outfitted A380s. These carriers will have the same planes outfitted to the service markets they will be flying.