Aviation

Air France Airbus A380 across Atlantic

Article published on the 2009-11-21 Latest update 2009-11-21 11:53 TU

Air France's Airbus A380
(Photo: Air France)

An Airbus A380 completed its first transatlantic flight on Friday after landing at JFK airport in New York. The Air France plane took off from Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport at 11:39 and landed at 18:07 (GMT), carrying 538 passengers.

The double-decker aircraft, the world’s largest passenger jet, touched down in New York ahead of schedule and was met with a congratulatory water salute from two fire engines as it taxied to its gate.

Passengers onboard the flight included 380 people, who purchased their tickets in a special Air France auction, intended to benefit disadvantaged children. They were treated to free champagne and a three-piece jazz band provided in-flight entertainment.

Although Air France is the first European airline to put the A380 into service, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas are already using the superjumbo.

Regular transatlantic flights will commerce on 23 November, and a fleet of 12 A380s will be used to serve international destinations such as Johannesburg and Tokyo.

Vital statistics of A380:

Overall length - 72.7 m

Height - 24.1 m

Max speed – Mach 0.89 / 945 kilometres per hour