Fact check: Is a 1000 pasanger plane by airbus, A390, REAL??

1. Summary of the results

The Airbus A390 1000-passenger aircraft is not real - it exists only as a speculative concept. While images and descriptions of such an aircraft circulate online ^[1], these have been identified as photoshopped modifications of the existing A380 aircraft ^[2]. The largest real passenger aircraft ever produced was the Airbus A380, which had a maximum certified capacity of 853 passengers, though typical configurations ranged from 407 to 615 passengers ^[3]. The A380 program has already ended, with the last aircraft delivered in 2021 after a total production run of 251 units ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual points need to be considered:

• Airbus is currently focused on developing zero-emission aircraft through their ZEROe program, rather than pursuing larger passenger capacities ^[4]
• The development of a 1000-passenger aircraft faces significant challenges including:

Massive research and development costs

Sustainability concerns

• The need to convince airlines of a viable business model ^[5]
• The A380, despite being the world's largest passenger aircraft ^[6], was discontinued due to lack of demand ^[2], suggesting limited market interest in even larger aircraft

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The circulation of A390 information appears to stem from several sources:

• French media has discussed it as a potential future aircraft, though with notable uncertainty ^[7]
• Some sources present detailed but fictional specifications, including features like six engines and three levels ^[1]
• Conceptual designs describe an unrealistic 8-deck layout comparing the aircraft to a "beluga whale" ^[8]

This misinformation benefits:

• Aviation enthusiast websites and social media accounts seeking engagement through sensational content
• Those promoting future aviation concepts without addressing real-world constraints
• Media outlets generating traffic through speculative aviation stories

The reality is that Airbus's current focus is on developing more sustainable aircraft rather than increasing passenger capacity ^[4], making the A390 concept inconsistent with the company's actual strategic direction.