The arrival of November 2025 marks the commencement of the IATA Winter Season, prompting airlines to adjust their schedules to cater to seasonal demand. A significant focus this month is on long-haul flights to the United States, particularly those utilizing the Airbus A380. Data from Cirium, a prominent aviation analytics company, reveals a total of 1,134 A380 flights planned to and from the US this month, providing 549,934 seats for travelers.
Emirates Leads the Pack
Dominating the A380 market, Emirates emerges as the largest operator of the aircraft and has scheduled the most flights to the US this November. The airline plans 420 flights across six routes, with five of these being served daily from its hub at Dubai International (DXB). Key destinations include Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK) via Milan (MXP), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington (IAD). Notably, Emirates offers a twice-daily non-stop service directly to JFK.
Emirates has also been recognized for its commitment to operational efficiency, having recently topped JFK Airport’s Fly Quiet Program rankings. The airline stated, “Emirates proactively utilizes Noise Preferential Runways whenever operationally viable, even when facing challenging conditions such as tailwinds, provided safety standards are maintained.”
European Competitors Join the Fray
The competitive market between Europe and North America is well-suited for flagship aircraft like the Airbus A380, which provides ample space for premium seating. British Airways stands out among European carriers this month, operating 244 A380 flights to the US. The airline’s primary route is from London Heathrow (LHR) to Miami (MIA), serviced twice daily for most of November. Additionally, there are daily flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco, with Washington flights concluding on November 7.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa has scheduled 52 round trips to the US from its hub at Munich Airport (MUC). This includes 30 daily flights to Los Angeles and 22 five-weekly flights to San Francisco. While Denver (DEN) was notably absent from this winter’s schedule, Lufthansa plans to reinstate it next year, given its successful summer operations.
Asian Airlines Expand US Routes
Four airlines from the Asia-Pacific region are also operating A380 flights to the US this month. All Nippon Airways (ANA) features three A380s adorned in special turtle liveries, operating between Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Honolulu (HNL) with twice-daily services, amounting to 60 departures in each direction.
Qantas also plays a significant role in the A380 landscape, with operations on three key routes to the US. Flights from Sydney (SYD) serve Los Angeles with 28 rotations and Dallas with 17 rotations, while Melbourne (MEL) sees nine rotations to LAX. The airline’s A380 configuration includes 14 first-class seats, 70 business-class seats, 60 premium economy seats, and 341 economy seats.
South Korean carriers are also making their mark, with Korean Air offering daily A380 flights from Seoul Incheon (ICN) to New York JFK. Asiana Airlines connects Seoul to Los Angeles with 39 rotations, averaging nine flights per week.
As airlines adapt to the winter season’s demands, the Airbus A380 remains a critical asset for long-haul operations, particularly on routes to the United States. With numerous airlines enhancing their services, travelers can expect a robust offering of flights this November.
