Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is the world's largest airliner, surpassing even the Boeing 747-400 by a significant amount. In fact, the Airbus A380 is so large it's come to be known by the nickname "Superjumbo."
Airbus A380 - Where It Came From
The Airbus A380 is a newish airliner, having made its maiden flight on April 27, 2005. The European corporation Airbus is responsible for this marvel of engineering. The Airbus A380 was designed specifically to compete with Boeing jets, which had dominated the airline market since the early 1970s. In an effort to reduce costs, Airbus spent a good deal of time refining and examining their design, at last settling on a double-decker cabin that let them carry more passengers than Boeing jets. The number 8, interestingly, was chosen for this model because it is itself a double decker number. In addition, the early Airbus A380s were marked primarily in Asia, where 8 is often considered a lucky number
Airbus A380 Features
The A380 has a number of features designed to improve customer comfort and reduce travel fatigue. For one thing, it produces 50% less cabin noise than a Boeing 747, and it also maintains a higher cabin pressure. In spite of accommodating more passengers, the double-decker model means that there's actually more space in the cabin than in a traditional jet. All of these features lead to ideas of luxury. Singapore Airlines, one of the world's premiere operators, features fully enclosed first class compartments including beds, desks, and extra storage. Some have gone so far as to suggest that the A380's wide cabin may eventually include casinos, beauty salons, and duty-free shops!
Airbus A380 Specifications
In terms of more mundane specifications, the A380 continues to measure up. It's 239 feet long with a wing span of 261 feet. The A380 cruises at Mach 0.85, the same speed as a Boeing 747.The Airbus A380 is a highly efficient, comfortable, and exciting model. It will likely provide a basis for many future designs!
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