VIRGIN ATLANTIC RUNS FIRST A340-600 COMMERCIAL FLIGHT

VIRGIN ATLANTIC RUNS FIRST A340-600 COMMERCIAL FLIGHT    Virgin Atlantic has operated the first commercial flight of its new giant aircraft, the A340-600.
   The A340-600, manufactured by Airbus, is the longest plane in the world, with a length of 247 feet (75.3 meters). It has a maximum take off weight of 368,000 kilograms.
   The aircraft flew from Heathrow to New York’s J.F.K. airport last Thursday (Aug. 1).
   The aircraft is the first of an order of 10 due to be delivered to Virgin Atlantic between now and 2006 — a deal worth $1.9 billion ('1.25 billion).
   Last week the aircraft was named “Claudia Nine” by supermodel Claudia Schiffer.
   Virgin Atlantic said that its cargo division can offer freight agents 40 percent additional cargo capacity on the A340-600s.