Safe and sound: World's largest passenger plane touches down
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The world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, completed its first commercial flight to Europe at Heathrow Airport today.
Aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick was among dignitaries at Heathrow to greet the Rolls-Royce-powered Singapore Airlines plane, whose wings are made in the UK.
The 240ft-long aircraft had been given a rousing send-off by staff at Singapore's Changi Airport and it was met at Heathrow by a water cannon salute from fire brigade crews after its 6,800-mile journey.
Perfect landing: The world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, completes its first commercial flight to Europe at Heathrow Airport today
The 471 passengers applauded loudly on touchdown at Heathrow, which had spent more than £100 million to accommodate the A380 that will not operate on a daily basis between Singapore and London
The Dubai-based carrier Emirates will start A380 services to Heathrow in December and Australian carrier Qantas is also expected to use the superjumbo to fly to London.
In the future, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be flying the A380 at Heathrow, where both terminal three and the new £4.3 billion Terminal 5 can take the new aircraft.
All of those on board were given a certificate with their names on to mark the event, with intrepid traveller Mark Barden, 45, from Southampton possibly the most worthy recipient.
Preparing to land: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 flies over the Palace of Westminster in London today as it approaches Heathrow Airport for the first time with passengers
Space and comfort: Inside the huge aeroplane
Mr Barden, a male nurse, flew out to Singapore to be on today's inaugural flight.
After just eight hours in the Far East, he was then flying back for his third A380 trip in two days and was even contemplating going in to work on Thursday.
The certificates passengers received were all signed by the captain of the flight Gerard Yeap, 55, who said on the flight: "It is an absolute pleasure to fly this plane. It's smooth and it's quiet and you don't feel it is a really big plane."
Enjoying first class today was company director John Read, who was returning from Melbourne after watching Lewis Hamilton win the Australian Grand Prix.
Mr Read, from Cuffley, Hertfordshire, said: "It's superb. I can't fault it. I booked the return flight to watch the Grand Prix hoping I might be able to go on the superjumbo and I was very pleased to have done so."
In-flight retail therapy: A duty-free store
One passenger who appreciated the "greenness" of the new plane was retired environmental manager Roger Simpson, 56, from Fowey, Cornwall, who was returning from a holiday in New Zealand with his wife, Sue.
Mr Simpson said: "This plane is a big step forward. It's quiet and roomy and it's less polluting."
Another UK couple returning from holiday in New Zealand were Edward and Val Fielding from Aslacton, near Norwich, in Norfolk.
Passengers today were sitting in three classes - first class, which has 12 luxury suites with 23-inch TV and cinema screens and double beds; business class where 60 people can enjoy flat-bed sleeping; and economy where nearly 400 passengers have seat-back screens and more room than rival aircraft.
Singapore Airlines UK and Ireland general manager Marvin Tan said: "The arrival of the first commercial A380 flight to London will be a proud moment not only for Singapore Airlines but also for British aviation, with the magnificent wings of the aircraft made in Broughton, North Wales, and Filton, Bristol, and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines."
Ian Godden, chief executive of the Society of British Aerospace companies, said: "Aerospace is a manufacturing success story in the UK, investing over £2.5 billion per year in research and development.
Cooling off: Jets are used to hose down the Airbus after landing
"Without the contributions from many British and British-based companies air passengers around the world would literally not be able to get off the ground.
"The country should be proud of the enormous contribution that more than a quarter of a million UK aerospace workers make to keep the global economy moving.
"At a time when there is a widely-held perception that Britain no longer has much of a manufacturing industry the aerospace sector conclusively proves otherwise."
Heathrow has spent more than £100 million on new facilities to accommodate the A380 which will be flying in to Terminal 3.
The airport's new £4.3 billion Terminal 5, which was officially opened by the Queen last week, can also take the superjumbo.
British Airways is due to take the first of its ordered A380s in 2012, with Sir Richard Branson's airline, Virgin Atlantic, receiving its first superjumbo in 2013.
Singapore Airlines now has three A380s. Australian carrier Qantas is due to take delivery of the first of its superjumbos this summer, with Dubai-based airline Emirates beginning its A380 services from Dubai to London on December 1.
Source: Daily Mail UK, Mar.18, 2008 -
it looks like the same one in the movie"snakes on the plane"