Tuesday, January 18, 2005
The Super Jumbo arriveth
Airbus unveiled the biggest passenger aircraft the world has seen, the A380, in Toulouse earlier today at a ceremony attended by practically every European leader of significance. The aircraft has a wingspan of 80 metres (262 feet), overall length of 73 metres (239 feet), height of 24 metres (79 feet) and maximum take-off weight of 560 tonnes. Given that Airbus already had 140 odd secure orders for this aircraft before today, I am guessing Boeing is in trouble.
Richard Branson, whose Virgin Atlantic has already ordered a few of the A380's, announced plans to introduce double beds and a casino on the Virgin A380 flights. As Sir Richard put it, as only he can, "you'll have at least two ways to get lucky on our flights."
Sir Richard wasn't the only one with snarky comments at the A380 unveiling. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder had this to say -- ""Good Old Europe has made this possible." Ouch, Mr Rumsfeld.
