What happens to the world's largest passenger aircraft after its flying days are over?
For most retired airliners, the answer is storage, dismantling or scrap. But one former Thai Airways Airbus A380 is about to begin a remarkable second life.
I was given access to explore inside the aircraft while it is still under renovation, before it opens to the public as what is believed to be the world's first Airbus A380 aeroplane café.
This Airbus A380 joined the Thai Airways fleet in 2014, during a period when airlines around the world believed the future of long-haul travel belonged to very large aircraft.
However, the pandemic dramatically changed the aviation industry when it hit in 2019.
Passenger demand collapsed, and operating such a large aircraft became increasingly uneconomical. Combined with high maintenance costs, the airline retired its fleet after just six years of commercial service.
Named Si Racha by Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the aircraft spent several years parked at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport before eventually being sold.
Rather than being broken up for parts, the aircraft, which bears the registration HS-TUE, has been purchased by Thai businessman Khun Petch, who is transforming it into the centrepiece of a new night market in Rayong Province.
His vision is simple:
"Many people here have never been on a plane before, especially not an A380, so I wanted them to have the chance to experience its magic."
When complete, visitors will be able to enter both decks of the aircraft, enjoy food and drinks inside the cabin and experience one of aviation's greatest engineering achievements from the inside.
Transporting the world's largest passenger aircraft is no small task.
The aircraft was carefully dismantled by engineers from Thai Airways before being transported approximately 200 kilometres from Bangkok to Rayong.
Around 40 large trailer trucks were needed to move the various sections, while the enormous wings alone required multiple specialist vehicles.
Once on site, engineers began the painstaking process of reassembling the aircraft, ensuring it remained structurally sound for its new role.
Walking through the aircraft during construction offers a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
Many of the passenger seats have already been removed, exposing insulation, wiring and structural components that travellers would never normally see.
The flight deck has also been stripped of most of its avionics, revealing the framework behind the cockpit panels.
Despite the extensive work, numerous reminders of its flying career remain.
Original Thai Airways business class seats can still be found in parts of the cabin, while the famous staircase connecting the two passenger decks remains one of the aircraft's most impressive features.
Small details also survive.
An original onboard Wi-Fi information card was still sitting in a seat pocket, and even some cabin equipment bearing Thai Airways branding has been preserved.
These surviving touches make it easy to imagine what the aircraft looked like when it regularly carried hundreds of passengers across Asia, Europe and beyond.
One obvious feature is missing.
The aircraft's four Rolls-Royce engines have been removed.
According to the owner, each engine remained the property of the manufacturer under contractual agreements and had to be returned after the aircraft was retired.
Replica engines are now being built so the completed attraction will retain the unmistakable silhouette that made the Airbus A380 famous.
The Airbus A380 remains one of the most ambitious commercial aircraft ever built.
With two full-length passenger decks, a maximum capacity of more than 800 passengers in all-economy configuration, and a wingspan approaching 80 metres, it redefined long-haul travel.
Although several airlines continue to operate the type successfully, many fleets were permanently retired following the pandemic.
Projects like this ensure that at least some of these remarkable aircraft will continue to inspire future generations long after their commercial careers have ended.
Photographs only tell part of the story.
In the full video on the Preferred Seat YouTube channel, I explore the cockpit, upper deck, business class cabin, hidden crew areas and many of the fascinating details still remaining inside this retired Thai Airways Airbus A380 before it opens to visitors.
If you're fascinated by aviation history, aircraft interiors and behind-the-scenes access, this is one aircraft tour you won't want to miss.
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