It depends on how much you operate it. They (used to) cost around $1.6m per month to lease. Airlines typically get around 14c per seat per mile in revenue, an

It depends on how much you operate it. They (used to) cost around $1.6m per month to lease. Airlines typically get around 14c per seat per mile in revenue, and would make a slight loss if it wasn't for their frequent flyer programs (a weird form of a bank). There is nothing more profitable than flying a full A380. There is nothing more loss making than flying a not full A380. The costs to update the interior (eg ~450 new seats, in-flight entertainment, carpets, catering) is around $30m which is the same price as a new Boeing 737 (seating ~160) in bulk orders. This aircraft is also due maintenance on most of its engines, and almost certainly a heavy maintenance (D check) where the aircraft is almost completely taken apart, inspected, and reassembled. A ballpark for this is $10-$15 million, done every ~6 years, and often combined with a cabin refresh. The original owner was looking at a ~$50+ million bill for maintenance, cabin refresh, ongoing crew training and equipment, maintenance crews and spares, paying for the larger gates at various airports etc. It wasn't worth it to them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_maintenance_checks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_maintenance_checks