Goodbye A380 and more: winter downgrade kicks off on Milan-New York today

Unlike the four calendar seasons, whose beginning falls on September 21, December 21, March 21 and June 21, air transportation knows only two seasons: summer and winter, the beginnings of which coincide with the 'time change' from solar to daylight saving and vice versa, which is carried out in most countries.

With today, Oct. 29, the airline winter begins., which will end on Saturday, March 30 with the start (on April 1) of the 2024 summer schedule. For Milan Malpensa Airport, the most significant change will be thefarewell to the Airbus A380 in service to New York Kennedy.

The skies giant has operated the route continuously (except for a brief break during the Covid pandemic) since it was established (as an extension of one of its flights from Dubai) ten years ago, in October 2013. Instead, a Boeing 777-300ER will fly to JFK. whose Economy Class, in particular, is not in comfort and personal space comparable to that offered by the A380. Even in premium classes, there will be a reduction from the 14 seats offered in First on the A380 to 8 on the 777, while in Business seats will be reduced from 76 to 42.

In a statement made a few weeks ago to TheFlightClub, Emirates' country manager for Italy, Flavio Ghiringhelli, had explained the machine change with the upgrade the Gulf company is undergoing to its A380 fleet, particularly for the installation of the new premium economy cabins. Ghiringhelli had not, however, been able to provide information about a return of the A380 to the route, which is currently reported to be operated with the Boeing 777 even during the upcoming summer season.

Emirates is not the only airline to have operated, as of today, a downgrade of the aircraft used on the Milan-New York: United Airlines, which until yesterday flew to Newark with a Boeing 777-200ER, is now using a Boeing 767-400ER on the same route. While ITA Airways, also for the winter, plans to continue the use to JFK of an A330-200 instead of one of its latest generation A330-900s.

Delta Airlines is moving from two daily flights (operated with an A330-300 and a Boeing 767-300, respectively) to just one, operated with A330-300s. Neos confirms its three weekly routes operated with Boeing 787-9 in two classes (Premium Economy and Economy), while The Compagnie will offer its all-business service to Newark Airport five times a week with A321LR.

Finally, American Airlines will continue its daily connection to JFK by maintaining the Boeing 777-200ER used until yesterday.

• A380