Airbus took the wraps off its supersized A380 aircraft Jan. 18,
unveiling the world’s largest commercial passenger plane in an
elaborate ceremony in Toulouse, France, before heads of state and
hundreds of other officials and media.
The 240-foot-long, double-decker aircraft is designed to carry
555 passengers in a three-class configuration, but could carry more
than 800 if anyone opts to fly it all-coach. It has a wingspan of
nearly 262 feet.
Airbus is scheduled to deliver the first A380 in 2006. The one
unveiled Jan. 18 is the first to be completed for
flight-testing.
