Airbus A380, the world's most modern superjumbo that can seat up to 850 passengers in a twin-deck format, on Tuesday cruised through Indian skies.
Airbus A380, the world's most modern superjumbo that can seat up to 850 passengers in a twin-deck format, on Tuesday cruised through Indian skies, evoking wide-eyed stares and much clicking of cameras.
The biggest passenger jet ever built took off from New Delhi to land at Mumbai's Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport for demonstrating its airport compatibility and many other qualities that could make it a choice for Indian travellers.
It had landed in the national capital from Toulouse, France, on Sunday. With a remarkably silent cabin, 22 big fat tyres and 500 km of wiring inside, the A380 is truly a giant. It burns 17 per cent less fuel per seat than today's largest aircraft -- a rate comparable to an average economical car -- and can land using less runway length than a Boeing B747-800 jumbo does.
The flying machine can hold 3,10,000 litres (81,890 gallons) of fuel, has a wingspan of 261.8 feet (79.8 metres), a length of 239.5 feet (73 metres) and a maximum take-off weight of more than 5,40,000 kg (1.2 million pounds).
Airlines can order on-board bars, casinos, gyms, beauty salons, duty-free shops, discotheques, showers or maybe even swimming pools in future.
The plane has a maximum range of 15,000 km, sufficient to fly from Chicago to Sydney nonstop, and a cruising speed of 900 km per hour. It is set to challenge the B747's long dominance of the jumbo jet market.
Airbus, which was created by a consortium of aerospace companies, has heralded the A380 as an engineering marvel, a triumph of European innovation and cooperation. The plane is expected to enter commercial service with Singapore Airlines (SIA) in October.
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