A380 takes off

[BeBMan]

A380 takes off for maiden flight

The world's largest passenger plane, the Airbus A380, is on its long-awaited maiden flight.

Thousands of aeroplane enthusiasts, many of them clapping and cheering, witnessed the twin-deck "superjumbo" taking to the air for the first time.

The flight was due to last between two and four hours, depending on weather conditions and how the plane handled.

It took off from its production site in Toulouse, France with a crew of six and about 20 tonnes of test equipment.

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4488361.stm

So let's wait how long it takes to turn this thread into a silly Boeing vs. Airbus discussion

[Skanky Burns]

Produced on-time and over-budget.

[MikeH]

That is one big muthafukka.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Produced on-time and over-budget.

[Jon Miller]

so there are more international flights?

those are about the only ones they need big planes for, right?

JM

[BeBMan]

Think Asia

[axi]

ChinA380

[MikeH]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
so there are more international flights?

those are about the only ones they need big planes for, right?

JM

There are lots of plane journeys that neither start or finish in the united states!

[Ming]

[Az]

****ing awesome....

[Atahualpa]

Impressive

[Asher]

Very impressive. One fine piece of work.

I like the interior of the new Boeing 787 too, though.

[Atahualpa]

Originally posted by Asher
Very impressive. One fine piece of work.

I like the interior of the new Boeing 787 too, though.

...images..

Reminds me of space movies in the 60s, somehow.

[DanS]

Exactly how many billions in subsidies did Airbus get for this airplane?

[Asher]

Originally posted by DanS
Exactly how many billions in subsidies did Airbus get for this airplane?

$6.5B US.