World’s largest passenger plane makes twin maiden U.S. flights

WorldÆs largest passenger plane makes twin maiden U.S. flights Two of European manufacturer Airbus' A380s, current holders of the world's largest passenger plane title, made maiden U.S. calls Monday, in a showy simultaneous bi-coastal landing at New York's Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.
   The twin Airbus A380s, arriving to the applause of hundreds of spectators at both locations, both arrived safely with no problems. Carrying no passengers other than Airbus crew, staff, invitees and officials, the flights were an opportunity for EADS Airbus ' the European Union-based consortium that builds the aircraft ' to show off the new plane to potential American customers.
   Airbus hopes the $300 million double-decker A380, which is 50 percent larger than a 747 and can carry 60 percent more passengers, will become the standard for high volume civilian air travel for the next two decades. In addition to the higher passenger capacity — 550 customers fully loaded — Airbus is heavily promoting the fuel-savings, noise reduction and short take-off and landing aspects of the new plane.
   The A380, in a full-coach model, can hold up to 850 seats, but both of Monday's planes were configured with 519 seats in the more typical three-class setup: first on the lower deck, business on the upper and coach spread between the two.
   Later this year, Singapore Airlines, with models ordered to handle just under 500 passengers, is set to become the first carrier to put the A380 into regular service.
   The 747, with a full load of just under 400 passengers, has held the largest passenger airliner title for more than 40 years.
   Both JFK and LAX are spending huge sums to upgrade terminals to receive the new planes. The New York and New Jersey Port Authority has spent $180 million on infrastructure at JFK to bring its service to New York. Los Angeles World Airports, which administers operations at LAX, ultimately plans to spend about $121 million to prepare for the A380, and already has reportedly earmarked more than $50 million to improve runway and taxiway intersections to accommodate the new aircraft.
   Despite a two-year delay in the A380's delivery, which has wiped out more than $6.6 billion in profit forecasts for the firm, Airbus has 166 orders from 15 airlines for the new plane.
   LAX, the world's fifth-busiest passenger airport, is expected to be the first U.S. destination for the A380 when it enters full commercial service.
   A small side note on how close the plane is to actual service flights: The Federal Aviation Administration required that the Airbus test pilot land the plane at JFK.