Qantas accelerates Airbus A380 retirement, unveils swanky new business suites

Qantas is accelerating plans to retire the world's biggest passenger plane.This week, the Australian flag carrier announced it would begin phasing out its Airbus A380s in 2028. That's four years earlier than the airline had originally planned.It's also the latest reminder that the superjumbo won't be around forever.Qantas' plans to sunset its four-engine, double-decker plane come as the airline is set to get an influx of new long-haul aircraft in the coming years.Bidding farewell to the superjumboIn 2023, the Sydney-based carrier revealed an order for 24 new twin-aisle jets: 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.At the time, Qantas said those planes would eventually replace its aging Airbus A330 and A380 fleets.The airline had expected to start bidding farewell to its A380s in 2032.MATT MOFFITT/THE POINTS GUYBut with 17 new planes expected to join its fleet this year and another 31 slated for delivery in 2027, Qantas executives this week announced they'd begin the retirement process in 2028. It'll likely take years before each of its A380s is grounded for good.Airlines turning away from the A380While the A380 was an aviation marvel when it debuted in the early 21st century,...