Airbus A390: Internet Myth or Future Jet?
Mystery Behind the Airbus A390
Every few years, the internet gets swept up in buzz about a mysterious new aircraft and this time, it’s the Airbus A390. Whispers on forums, videos with speculative thumbnails, and AI-generated images have fueled the idea of a plane that, officially, doesn’t exist.
There’s nothing mentioned about the Airbus A390 in the Airbus’s official product roadmap. Yet the term is showed regularly across social media, aviation blogs, and search trends of Google. So, what’s actually going on? Is this a leaked project in disguise or simply a case of internet imagination run wild?
Airbus A390: What People Think It Is
Throughout the aviation community, the Airbus A390 is envisioned as the successor to the Airbus A380; a bigger, sleeker, and a more efficient super-jumbo. Some enthusiasts portray it as a futuristic jet that solves the A380’s commercial limitations while showcasing unmatched range and capacity.
Common internet claims include:
- A full-length double-decker fuselage
- Upto thousands of passengers in ultra-wide configuration
- Comparatively longer range than the A350 or 777X
- Next-generation engines with hybrid or the hydrogen capability
- A probable release between 2025 and 2030
The problem? None of this is full and final. As right now, the Airbus A390 is actually not a real aircraft, and there is no official development program having that name.
Why People Think the A390 Could Happen
While the Airbus A390 is technically fictional, speculation exists for good reason.
1. Airbus Naming Conventions Fuel Curiosity
A300, A310, A320, A330, A340, A350, and A380 represent Airbus’s distinct numerical progression. An A390 might seem like the next logical step.
2. The Legacy of the A380 Makes an Impact
Travelers still adore the A380 despite its commercial failure. People want a replacement i.e. a jet that keeps the grandeur while improving efficiency.
3. Desire for a “Bigger and Better” Jet
Many enthusiasts are eager for something bolder and more ambitious, as Boeing’s 777X is making slow progress and newer aircraft emphasize fuel efficiency.
However, demand and desire are not equal, and aviation development is motivated by economics rather than aspirations.
What Airbus Is Actually Working On?
Airbus remained very public about its focus areas for the next generation of aircraft. None of them have a jumbo jet that can compete with or take the place of the Airbus A380.
Hydrogen-Powered Jets
Airbus is making significant investments in its ZEROe project which aims to produce hydrogen-powered aircraft by the mid-2030s. These will probably be narrow-body or small wide-body planes that prioritise sustainability over size.
Upgrades to Existing Fleets
Rather than launching an Airbus A390, Airbus continues to improve its A350, A330neo, and A320neo families. These are the models that are already well-adopted and profitable.
Market Trends Don’t Favor a New Superjumbo
The global airline industry is mainly focused on point-to-point travel and relatively smaller aircraft with long range just as the A321XLR or Boeing 787. High-capacity aircraft for like the A380 no longer meets the demands of business model regarding most carriers.
Why a Real Airbus A390 is Unlikely (for Now)
Here’s why Airbus probably won’t launch an A390 anytime soon:
- Low Demand from Airlines: Not many airlines are interested in large aircraft. They favor adaptable, fuel-efficient aircraft.
- Cost of Development: Building a superjumbo really need billions in R&D with uncertain ROI.
- Infrastructure Issues: Many airports still aren’t ready to handle aircraft that are larger than the A380.
- Historical Lessons: Airbus ended A380 production initially after poor sales and launching another mega-jet would risk repeating that mistake.
Thus we can say, aviation can be unpredictable. If fuel prices plummet, air travel demand surges, or new technology changes design economics, Airbus could rethink its approach.
The Airbus A390 in Popular Imagination
Despite the facts, the Airbus A390 lives on, mostly thanks to the internet’s love for bold, futuristic ideas.
Online content includes:
- AI-generated images showing massive tri-deck planes
- YouTube speculation videos with millions of views
- Fan-created specs claiming 1,000+ seats and 10,000-mile range
- Fictional wikis that treat the A390 as if it already exists
While fun, these posts often blur the line between speculation and misinformation. Readers should approach with caution and check for credible sources.
Final Thought: The Airbus A390, Just a Dream for Now
The Airbus A390 may dominate Google searches and Reddit threads, but in the real world, it doesn’t exist — not on Airbus’s product sheets, not on runways, and not in the sky.
Still, the conversation around it tells us something important: people are fascinated by what aviation could be. That curiosity drives innovation and while the Airbus A390 is just a myth for now, it shows there’s still room to dream about what comes next.
If Airbus ever announces a new wide-body flagship, we’ll all be watching. But until then, the A390 remains the internet’s favorite plane that never was.
FAQs
Is there a plane A390?
No, the Airbus A390 does not currently exist. It is not an official Airbus project or aircraft.
Is A390 bigger than A380?
There’s no actual A390 to compare. However, internet claims suggest a larger model, though this remains hypothetical.
How many seats are in an A390?
No real seat map exists. Fan concepts often suggest 800 to 1,000 seats, but Airbus has not released any such plan.
What is the range of an Airbus A390?
There are no real specifications for range. Claims vary widely online but are not based on verified data.