The Airbus A380 is an excellent airplane, but due to its size, it has significant restrictions. These, of course, include airports from which it can operate. Although no US airline runs this type, it makes frequent visits to numerous US airports.
There are 16 airports in the United States that can accommodate the A380 (but not all offer A380 services). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of them.
The Tom Bradley International Terminal can accommodate large aircraft, with eight gates in the main terminal and another six at the west satellite midfield concourse.
The Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is the largest commercial passenger airplane ever produced. With the current trend away from four engines, this will most certainly continue for some time. The forthcoming Boeing 777X will come close but not match the double-deck behemoth.
A380 size statistics:
- Length: 72.72 m (238 ft 7 in)
- Wingspan: 79.75 m (261 ft 8 in) with a wing sweep of 33.5°
- Width: 7.14 m (23 ft 5 in)
- Height: 24.09 m (79 ft 0 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 575,000 kg (1,267,658 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 253,983 kg (559,937 lb), 323,546 liters (85,472 US gal)
This size was the inspiration for the airplane and the reason why several airlines want it. If that size and capacity are suitable for planned routes, operating an A380 fleet for large passenger numbers may make sense.
This has been a struggle for many airlines in practice, but just look at Emirates and its massive A380 fleet to get a sense of the possibilities.
Of fact, the type’s size has been a significant limitation, both in terms of airlines and routes it could fly, as well as its final demise and discontinuation of production.
The A380 is classified as the largest aircraft available, and as a result, it cannot operate at many airports. Many airports modified their runways, taxiways, gates, and other infrastructure to handle the type.
This size restriction had a significant role in Boeing’s development of the Boeing 777X. It has folding wingtips, therefore it is classified lower than the A380 and can visit more airports.
Airbus A380 gates at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the airports equipped to handle the A380. Although no US carrier ordered or operated the A380, it is a frequent visitor to the airport, flying from other hubs. This is unsurprising given that the A380 is well-suited to trips into large hub airports like LAX.
Over time, more gates have been modified to accommodate the A380. It can only be accommodated in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. None of Terminals 1–8 can handle the type, while numerous gates in these terminals can accommodate the largest Boeing 747-400 (but not the 747-8) and 777 aircraft. There are many distant stands (for parking) that can accommodate the A380.
Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) currently has eight gates that can accommodate the Airbus A380 (according to IFATC data):
- Gate 130
- Gate 134
- Gate 148
- Gate 150
- Gate 152
- Gate 154
- Gate 156
- Gate 159
These are the same eight gates that can accommodate a Boeing 747-8. There are seven additional gates that can take the same widebody set as the Airbus A340, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787. There are just two gates for the Boeing 757 and 767 (132 and 135).
In addition, six of the 33 gates in the West Remote Stand complex can accommodate the A380. This is a satellite middle terminal that is accessible from the airport’s other terminals.
These are mentioned here because they are occasionally used to board the A380 from TBIT. If implemented, this would require a bus link to the remote gates but regular jetbridge boarding. The photo below depicts the midfield concourse and several of its gates.
The A380-equipped gates here are:
- West Remote Stand 201
- West Remote Stand 205
- West Remote Stand 206B
- West Remote Stand 207B
- West Remote Stand 212B
- West Remote Stand 216B
Airbus A380 routes into LAX
To get an understanding of how these gates are used, let’s look at some A380 itineraries into the airport. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the busiest and most diverse A380 destinations, aside from base airports.
This is a snapshot of all routes operated in January 2025, as reported by Cirium, an aviation analytics business. For this month, the following six airlines provide A80 service to and from LAX. Note that these are only the A380-operated services; numerous carriers operate additional daily flights using other aircraft types.
- Asiana Airlines – daily service to Seoul (ICN).
- Korean Air – daily service to Seoul (ICN).
- Emirates – daily service to Dubai (DXB).
- Qantas – daily service to Sydney (SYD) and twice per week service to Melbourne (MEL).
- British Airways – daily service to London Heathrow (LHR).
- Lufthansa – daily service to Munich (MUC) until Jan 12th, then swapping equipment.
History of the Airbus A380 at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), like most airports, was not fully prepared for the Airbus A380. Before any services could use the airport, some infrastructural work was completed. Most significantly, runway 25L/7R was modified to accommodate the A380 (which remains the authorized runway for the type):
- The runway was shifted about 55 feet south of its original centerline (reopened in March 2007).
- A new parallel taxiway was built between the two south airfield runways.
- The navigational and visual aids were repositioned.
The A380 arrived in the United States on March 19, 2007, landing at both Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and New York’s JFK. Qantas launched commercial service to Los Angeles International Airport in October 2008. At the time, there were no gates that could handle the aircraft, so it had to use remote parking stands.
A380-capable gates were installed in stages as part of a redevelopment of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. This was opened in stages between 2010 and 2021, gradually adding the gates that are available now.
The Airbus A380 at other US airports
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is not the only US airport with regular A380 flights.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has identified US airports that can accommodate the twin-decker airliner. Sixteen airports across the country are capable of handling the A380, but just a few of them currently do so.
The 16 airports are listed below:
- ANC – Anchorage International Airport
- ATL – Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport
- BOS – Boston Logan International Airport
- DEN – Denver International Airport
- DFW – Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport
- HNL – Honolulu International Airport
- IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport
- IAH – Houston Intercontinental Airport, Texas
- JFK – John F. Kennedy International Airport
- LAX – Los Angeles International Airport
- MCO – Orlando International Airport
- MEM – Memphis International Airport
- MIA – Miami International Airport
- ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- SDF – Louisville International Airport, Kentucky
- SFO – San Francisco International Airport
FAQ
How many gates at LAX can accommodate Airbus A380s?
At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), there are currently 4 gates capable of accommodating the Airbus A380 aircraft. These gates are specifically designed to handle the size and weight of the A380, the world’s largest commercial airliner.
What are the features of A380-compatible gates at LAX?
The A380-compatible gates at LAX are equipped with specialized facilities such as dual aerobridges to cater to the aircraft’s size, enabling passengers to board and disembark from the upper and lower decks of the aircraft.
Why are only certain gates at LAX able to handle the Airbus A380?
The Airbus A380 requires larger gates with more space and robust infrastructure, including dual aerobridges and reinforced jetways, which are not available at all gates. These features are essential to safely accommodate the A380’s large size and passenger capacity.
Can all airlines use A380-compatible gates at LAX?
No, only airlines operating the Airbus A380, such as Emirates, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines, are allowed to use the A380-compatible gates at LAX. These gates are specifically designated for the A380 aircraft.
Are there any plans to increase the number of A380-compatible gates at LAX?
Yes, LAX is planning to expand its facilities to accommodate more Airbus A380 aircraft as the airport upgrades its terminals and infrastructure. This is part of a broader effort to improve capacity and cater to the growing number of A380 operations.
