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A380's First Flight 'Phenomenal'

After long delays, the A380 delivers staggering experience

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 25, 2007 8:24 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The Airbus A380 touched down in Sydney this morning, completing the festive maiden voyage of the world's largest jet. After a 2-year delay, passengers who boarded in Singapore say the champagne-fueled, 7-hour trip was worth the wait. “It's going to make everything else after this simply awful,” one told the BBC. The jet, dubbed the Superjumbo, carried 450 passengers who paid between $560 and $100,380 in an auction on eBay.

The A380 can carry 850 and has a wingspan the length of a soccer field. “The space is bigger than anything you can imagine,” said one passenger. Stairways run between two economy-class floors; lush sleeping suites sport beds “you can really sink into”—and even join to make a double. One man, who paid $55,000 for his family’s tickets, said it was “every penny worth it.”

A Singapore Airlines air stewardess poses among the economy seats in the Airbus A380 jetliner which had just landed in Singapore's Changi International Airport, Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
A Singapore Airlines air stewardess poses among the economy seats in the Airbus A380 jetliner which had just landed in Singapore's Changi International Airport, Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007 in Singapore. (AP...   (Associated Press)
The Airbus A380 parks at the Singapore Changi Airport after its landing, Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
The Airbus A380 parks at the Singapore Changi Airport after its landing, Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007, in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)   (Associated Press)
TV crew are seen filming the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 as it takes off from the runway at Changi International Airport for Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Stefen Chow)
TV crew are seen filming the Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 as it takes off from the runway at Changi International Airport for Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Stefen Chow)   (Associated Press)
Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Office Chew Choon Seng, right, looks on as he waits for passengers to board the Airbus A380 flight, Thursday Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Office Chew Choon Seng, right, looks on as he waits for passengers to board the Airbus A380 flight, Thursday Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)   (Associated Press)
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 takes off from the runway at Changi International Airport for Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Stefen Chow)
Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 takes off from the runway at Changi International Airport for Sydney, Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Stefen Chow)   (Associated Press)
The Airbus A380 took off on a historic journey Thursday, the first commercial flight by the world's largest jetliner that boasts luxurious suites, double beds, a bar and the quietest interior ever. (AP Photo/Stefen Chow)
The Airbus A380 took off on a historic journey Thursday, the first commercial flight by the world's largest jetliner that boasts luxurious suites, double beds, a bar and the quietest interior ever. (AP...   (Associated Press)
A Singapore Airlines air stewardess adjusts the private suite of the First Class section in the Airbus A380 jetliner which had just landed in Singapore's Changi International Airport, Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007 in Singapore. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
A Singapore Airlines air stewardess adjusts the private suite of the First Class section in the Airbus A380 jetliner which had just landed in Singapore's Changi International Airport, Wednesday Oct. 17,...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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'A class beyond first'
Sydney Morning Herald

Is Airbus as green as it claims?
Guardian (UK)

The bar is raised, and so are costs
Bloomberg

 
Australia • Boeing • Airbus • Airbus A380 • Singapore Airlines • Singapore

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