Airbus A380 - Lufthansa - D-AIMJ

The Sky Giant: Lufthansa’s Airbus A380 and the Story of D-AIMJ

There are few aircraft as instantly recognizable and awe-inspiring as the Airbus A380. As the world’s largest passenger jet, the A380 is a marvel of modern aviation—a double-decker behemoth capable of carrying over 800 passengers in an all-economy configuration, though most airlines, including Lufthansa, opt for a more luxurious layout.

Lufthansa and the A380: A Short History

Lufthansa became the second European airline to operate the A380, taking delivery of its first superjumbo in May 2010. With typical German precision and pride, the airline introduced the aircraft into service on high-demand international routes such as Frankfurt to Tokyo, Beijing, New York, and later, Miami and Los Angeles.

At its peak, Lufthansa operated 14 Airbus A380s, each configured to carry around 509 passengers across four classes: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. The aircraft quickly became a flagship of Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet, renowned for offering an exceptional inflight experience thanks to its quiet cabins, advanced technology, and spacious layout.

However, like many airlines, Lufthansa was forced to reconsider the role of the A380 during the COVID-19 pandemic. With travel demand plummeting, the superjumbo’s high operating costs became harder to justify. In 2020, Lufthansa grounded its entire A380 fleet and later announced plans to retire many of them. But in a twist of fate—buoyed by a surprising rebound in travel demand—Lufthansa reversed course in 2022, deciding to return several A380s to service starting in 2023 and beyond.

The Life of D-AIMJ

Among Lufthansa’s A380 fleet, D-AIMJ, named „Brüssel“, holds a special place. Delivered in 2012, D-AIMJ quickly became a regular on the airline’s most prestigious routes. Whether soaring over the Atlantic to North America or journeying eastward to Asia, this aircraft carried millions of passengers over its nearly decade-long career.

Like its sister ships, D-AIMJ was a masterpiece of engineering: four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, a maximum takeoff weight of 569tons , and the capability to fly over 8,000 nautical miles without refueling. Passengers aboard D-AIMJ often praised its whisper-quiet cabins and smooth ride, especially during long-haul overnight flights.

But all great journeys must eventually come to an end. In 2020, D-AIMJ was placed in long-term storage in Teruel, Spain—one of the many aircraft grounded as the aviation world grappled with unprecedented disruption. Unlike a few of its fleetmates that would eventually return to service, D-AIMJ was retired permanently and began its final chapter: being parted out and dismantled.

A New Life in Your Hands

Though D-AIMJ may never take to the skies again, its story lives on in a tangible, personal way. Through Aircrafttag, pieces of this iconic aircraft have been preserved and transformed into unique aviation collectibles. Each tag carries with it the legacy of countless flights, global cities visited, and memories made at 35,000 feet.

For aviation enthusiasts, owning a tag made from D-AIMJ is more than just having a piece of metal—it’s owning a piece of history. It’s a reminder of the golden age of superjumbo air travel and the engineering marvel that was the A380. And it ensures that while D-AIMJ’s flying days are over, its story continues with each collector who cherishes it.