Aviation enthusiasts around the world were thrilled this week as flight tracker data confirmed the return of a long-stored Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380 to active flying. The massive aircraft, once believed destined for retirement, appeared again on flight radar systems in late September 2025, marking its first flight in over three years.
A Surprise Revival of a Giant
The aircraft, registered as 2-JAYN (formerly 9M-MNF), was one of six Airbus A380s previously operated by Malaysia Airlines before the pandemic forced their grounding in 2020. This particular A380 had been in long-term storage at Tarmac Aerosave in Tarbes, France — a facility known for preserving and recycling large commercial aircraft.
According to Flightradar24 and other major flight tracker platforms, the A380 completed a maintenance test flight from Lourdes-Tarbes Airport (TBE) on September 26, 2025. The flight lasted nearly three hours, reaching an altitude of 43,000 feet and tracing a route across Bordeaux, Limoges, La Rochelle, and Toulouse before returning to Tarbes.
This flight marked a significant moment for Airbus fans, as it was the first recorded movement of MSN114 (the aircraft’s manufacturer serial number) since 2022.
From Malaysia to Airbus Ownership
The A380 in question originally entered service with Malaysia Airlines in March 2013, serving popular long-haul routes between Kuala Lumpur, London, and Sydney. However, by 2020, the airline had retired its A380 fleet due to pandemic-related downturns and operating costs.
In 2022, as part of a deal involving Malaysia Airlines’ purchase of 20 Airbus A330-900neos, Airbus agreed to take back the A380s. MSN114 was subsequently transferred to Airbus Financial Services and placed in storage.
Now, nearly three years later, flight radar data confirms its revival — not for passenger service, but for a new role within Airbus itself.
New Mission: Airbus Test Aircraft
After the September test flight, flight tracker sites showed the aircraft taking off once again on October 1, 2025, this time on a long-haul journey from Tarbes, France, to Abu Dhabi, UAE. The A380, flying under the callsign AIB114, spent over six hours in the air before landing at Zayed International Airport (AUH).
Upon arrival, the superjumbo was towed to Etihad Engineering, where it will undergo further modifications. Airbus later confirmed that MSN114 is set to become a future flight test platform — a critical role in testing next-generation aviation systems and sustainability initiatives.
“After maintenance and structural upgrades at Etihad, the aircraft will be converted for use as a dedicated Airbus flight test aircraft,” an Airbus spokesperson told Flightradar24.
This means the revived A380 will continue contributing to aviation innovation, even as most commercial A380s are gradually phased out.
The A380’s Comeback Moment
The news follows the earlier reactivation of another A380 — formerly operated by Hi Fly — that recently took flight after years of inactivity. These developments suggest a subtle comeback for the world’s largest passenger jet, which many assumed would fade into history after the pandemic.
With Airbus repurposing retired A380s for research and development, the superjumbo may yet find new life as a platform for testing sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hybrid propulsion systems, and advanced aerodynamics.
Flight Tracker Enthusiasts on Alert
The A380’s unexpected return has created a buzz among aviation communities online. Social media groups dedicated to flight tracker and flight radar updates lit up with posts tracking MSN114’s every move.
Many enthusiasts expressed excitement that they could once again follow an ex-Malaysia Airlines A380 in real time on platforms like Flightradar24 and FlightAware, both of which saw a spike in searches for the aircraft’s new registration, 2-JAYN.
For aviation watchers, the moment is bittersweet — a nostalgic reminder of the A380’s glory days, now blended with curiosity about its technological future.
What’s Next for the Superjumbo?
While Airbus officially ended A380 production in 2021, several of its aircraft are finding new lives as testbeds or charter jets. The European manufacturer’s decision to reuse stored A380s for R&D purposes reflects a broader industry shift toward sustainability and efficient fleet utilization.
As Airbus continues to innovate, tracking these aircraft through reliable flight tracker platforms has become a favorite pastime for aviation fans — offering an open window into how legacy aircraft are being reimagined for the next era of flight.
The reemergence of the Malaysia Airlines Airbus A380 on flight radar marks more than a nostalgic comeback — it represents the resilience of aviation technology and the power of modern flight tracking tools. With Airbus breathing new life into its superjumbos, and flight tracker communities documenting every turn, the skies are once again filled with the wings of a legend.
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