An EU Airbus A380, the world's biggest passenger plane, landed in Britain today for the first time. It landed at Heathrow, the world's busiest airport. The gigantic plane was built by the British (who built the wings), French, Germans, Spanish and Italians.
--------------------------------------------
Superjumbo touches down at Heathrow
09:06am 18th May 2006
The world's largest passenger plane, the 555-seater Airbus A380 superjumbo, touched down safely at Heathrow Airport today on its first visit to the UK.
With British test pilot Ed Strongman at the controls, the double-decker aircraft drew to a halt outside a £105 million new pier at the west London airport.
Among the dignitaries welcoming the plane was Chancellor Gordon Brown. With him were the heads of some of the 16 airlines that have already ordered the 240ft-long aircraft, which will go into passenger service in December this year.
Flying in from the Berlin Air Show, the plane had taken a deliberate detour so it could fly over two Airbus UK plants, Broughton in north Wales, where the plane's wings are made, and Filton in Bristol.
Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to start commercial flights using the A380 and will be including Heathrow on its superjumbo destination schedule.
Although the new plane could take up to 800 passengers, Singapore Airlines intends to start with fewer than 480 passengers in three classes.
Sir Richard Branson's airline Virgin Atlantic has ordered six superjumbos which are due to arrive in 2008.
Heathrow is one of 25 airports that will be ready to take the A380 by the end of this year and 60 airports will be superjumbo-compatible by 2010.
Heathrow staff broke off from their work to applaud as the giant plane touched down at 1.20pm - exactly on time.
As it landed, the new aircraft passed a British Airways version of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Mr Strongman fluttered a Union flag from the cockpit as the plane slowed to a halt.
There was further applause from the invited guests in Pier 6, which will be able to take as many as 2,200 passengers who would either be boarding or disembarking from A380s.
The Airbus drew gasps from the crowds as it neared its destination.
© PA
------------------------
The double-decker aircraft drew to a halt outside a £105million new pier at Heathrow in west London.
© Reuters
------------------------
It was history in the making when the world's largest passenger plane, the 555-seater Airbus A380 superjumbo, touched down safely at Heathrow Airport on its first visit to the UK.
------------------------
There was applause from onlookers as the plane touched down on the runway.
© Sky News
----------------------
Flying in from the Berlin Air Show, the plane had taken a deliberate detour so it could fly over two Airbus UK plants, Broughton in north Wales, where the plane's wings are made, and Filton in Bristol.
© Reuters
-------------------
This picture shows the state-of-the-art equipment in the plane's cockpit.
© AP
------------------
The double-decker plane has plenty of room for executive stress-busters. Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to start commercial flights using the A380 and will be including Heathrow on its superjumbo destination schedule.
------------------
Virgin has also ordered six planes, and is planning to include gyms, bars and sleeping cabins.
© EPA
-------------------
The Airbus is designed to take up to 800 passengers.
dailymail.co.uk
--------------------------------------------
Superjumbo touches down at Heathrow
09:06am 18th May 2006
The world's largest passenger plane, the 555-seater Airbus A380 superjumbo, touched down safely at Heathrow Airport today on its first visit to the UK.
With British test pilot Ed Strongman at the controls, the double-decker aircraft drew to a halt outside a £105 million new pier at the west London airport.
Among the dignitaries welcoming the plane was Chancellor Gordon Brown. With him were the heads of some of the 16 airlines that have already ordered the 240ft-long aircraft, which will go into passenger service in December this year.
Flying in from the Berlin Air Show, the plane had taken a deliberate detour so it could fly over two Airbus UK plants, Broughton in north Wales, where the plane's wings are made, and Filton in Bristol.
Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to start commercial flights using the A380 and will be including Heathrow on its superjumbo destination schedule.
Although the new plane could take up to 800 passengers, Singapore Airlines intends to start with fewer than 480 passengers in three classes.
Sir Richard Branson's airline Virgin Atlantic has ordered six superjumbos which are due to arrive in 2008.
Heathrow is one of 25 airports that will be ready to take the A380 by the end of this year and 60 airports will be superjumbo-compatible by 2010.
Heathrow staff broke off from their work to applaud as the giant plane touched down at 1.20pm - exactly on time.
As it landed, the new aircraft passed a British Airways version of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. Mr Strongman fluttered a Union flag from the cockpit as the plane slowed to a halt.
There was further applause from the invited guests in Pier 6, which will be able to take as many as 2,200 passengers who would either be boarding or disembarking from A380s.
The Airbus drew gasps from the crowds as it neared its destination.
© PA
------------------------
The double-decker aircraft drew to a halt outside a £105million new pier at Heathrow in west London.
© Reuters
------------------------
It was history in the making when the world's largest passenger plane, the 555-seater Airbus A380 superjumbo, touched down safely at Heathrow Airport on its first visit to the UK.
------------------------
There was applause from onlookers as the plane touched down on the runway.
© Sky News
----------------------
Flying in from the Berlin Air Show, the plane had taken a deliberate detour so it could fly over two Airbus UK plants, Broughton in north Wales, where the plane's wings are made, and Filton in Bristol.
© Reuters
-------------------
This picture shows the state-of-the-art equipment in the plane's cockpit.
© AP
------------------
The double-decker plane has plenty of room for executive stress-busters. Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to start commercial flights using the A380 and will be including Heathrow on its superjumbo destination schedule.
------------------
Virgin has also ordered six planes, and is planning to include gyms, bars and sleeping cabins.
© EPA
-------------------
The Airbus is designed to take up to 800 passengers.
dailymail.co.uk
