There are 76 in service, with another 165 in storage after the pandemic crushed demand for air travel. Eight have been retired.

Conceived as a more efficient way of moving passengers on the busiest routes, setbacks such as the financial crisis killed the aircraft’s long-term prospects. 

With a maximum of more than 500 seats, it exceeded the Boeing 747’s typical capacity of about 450 passengers.

While the bigger planes offered better economy when full they needed high capacities to be profitable, making them suitable only for very popular routes between hubs.

They also took longer to turn around in cleaning, loading and disgorging passengers, as well as needing longer runways to get in the air. 

As a result many airlines have opted for smaller planes that offer more flexibility when it comes to seasonal routes and volatile passenger numbers.

Airline bosses are also focusing on newer models with better fuel economy than the four-engine colossus and emit less carbon.

Meanwhile, Airbus won an order for 100 single-aisle planes from Air-France KLM with an option for another 60 on Thursday in a new blow for Boeing’s 737 Max.  

Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, also agreed to buy 40 Airbus jets to update its domestic fleet in a move away from Boeing, its usual supplier.

The Australian airline’s deal could open the door to a further 90 orders. The planes will be powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, which offer fuel economy savings of up to 20pc.