Air France A380 first to cross the Atlantic
The world’s biggest commercial passenger aircraft, the A380, set off today under the Air France banner for its initial flight across the Atlantic Ocean despite delays still plaguing Airbus, its manufacturer.
The flight carrying 538 passengers left Paris a little before noon and is set to land in New York around 1300 local time.
A group of 380 aviation buffs were on board, having won seats through an auction organised by Air France to benefit humanitarian programs aimed at helping children. The airline didn’t reveal the total amount it raised.
Air France can thus boast to be the first carrier in Europe to fly the huge passenger jet, which is the pride of Airbus.
Singapore Airlines, Qantas of Australia and Dubai-based Emirates already fly the A380.
November 23 will mark the inaugural regular scheduled Air France flight across the Atlantic. The French carrier is also scheduled to use its new fleet of A380s for its Johannesburg link in February, and Tokyo will follow later.
Suffering from important delivery and production delays, the A380 still has to secure its commercial success.
According to EADS chief executive Louis Gallois, the A380 still is a source of concern.
The programme has had slower progress than originally expected and has still not stabilised yet.
Air France received delivery of its 20th A380 at the end of October, 24 months following the plane’s first commercial flight.
Since October 2007, Airbus has delivered four A380s to Qantas, five to Emirates and 10 to Singapore Airlines.
The aircraft manufacturer is aiming to deliver 13 aircrafts this year but has admitted that one or two might have to wait until the beginning of next year.
Airbus has received orders for the jumbo jet from 17 airlines totalling 202 units, some of which are planned for Lufthansa, British Airways and Virgin.
