This thing is unreal. Its amazing that something this big can even fly.

Up to 800 passengers. Wow.

biger is not always better.

Take a look at the C5 Galixy and then wonder how things can fly!!!!

Hog

I'm a little hesitant to fly on any Airbus. The hydraulics on those things are scary. Oh, and by the way, Airbus tails have a tendency to break off.

Anybody ever own a French car?
Yikes!!

Yay!

More screaming, whining little kids and morbidly obese people to deal with... Wheeeeee!

AIRBUST...... In France the T is not used so as not to offend the terrorist

This is a cool post. I hear this thing is rather fuel efficient too!

a fuel efficient jet make about as much sense as a hot rod yugo, or racing stripes on renault alliance

This is the shorter version of the A380. The way they have this one arranged it should carry about 550 passengers. The stretched version will carry around 800 (depending on the seating arrangement).

The fuel economy is based on filled seats. Maybe there is a demand for something this big on the larger routes? I just think that is too many 'souls' to have in one craft at one time.

Airbus used mega government subsidies to help fund this airplane. If the program does not make money, they don't pay back the loans. Win win situation for them.

Fly?

It's all about power and the Bernoulli Principle.

Don't worry, The Boeing 747X will be flying soon. Not quite as many passengers, but more efficient still.

Some terroist is licking his chops right now.

It's made by the French!!!! Government subsidies, history of poor quality. What airlines could affoard it. Except for Southwest, not many other airlines are in the Black. And you know what Southwest flys...BOEING!!!!!!!

I may be mistaken, but this plane has not flown yet

As for airlines "in the black," you will be hard pressed to find any airline that isn't in the black once you leave the USA. US airlines are suffering horribly while the others in the world are at an all time high.

Many can afford this plane, and many will fly them. No US carrier currently can afford it though, we are too busy settling lawsuits to make a profit.

Good case in point. Go fly Singapore airlines and see if you aren't reminded of the words "Quality"

Eurpean airlines will fly them only becouse their countries subsidise Airbus. Your correct, this aircraft does not yet fly..But Airbuses other lines of jets have quality and reliability issues. Plus France takes the whole month of September off as a Holiday..The whole country shuts down. I hope they have a healthy Supply chain, "but don't call us in September, we're vacationing in Iran or we are on the beach in Libya.

Actually not only Europeans will fly them. They have sold quite well in Asia as well. In fact, the only folks who haven't bought them is the USA....well, until today, UPS just ordered 10.

Who says Airbus has a poor safety record?

This airplane is giving Boeing a run for their money. Luckily Boeing has the 7E7 to protect them with ANA in Japan already having purchased 45 of them to be delivered in 2009. Of course they bought them since Boeing agreed to let half the airplane be built in Japan and Malaysia.

Personally I don't like Airbus.....something about their fuel management system that I don't have time to discuss now, however, don't underestimate the fact that they have a very large customer base who are operating very much in the black.

Biggest money maker for US aerospace vendors last year was China, followed by Japan and then Singapore......All of them buying more and more Airbus planes.

Too bad Lockheed and Douglas are gone. Boeing would really have a time of it.

Can you just imagine, waiting for baggage claim? No way!

Charlie

This is nothing more than a disaster waiting to happen.I hope none of it lands on me.

It's not a disaster waiting to happen. Why would you say that? This airplane is not as large as you may think it is. Oh sure, it's big, but it still doesn't have the 747-400 beat in regards to seating. The Boeing can seat 568 passengers comfortably which is just slightly higher actually than the A380's limit of 555.

Where airbus is making history is in the fact that they are going "back" in time to the days when airtravel was fun. Most of the customer airlines that have bought the airplane, are not putting the max number of seats in, but rather putting in some of the packages that are available. Packages such as "stand-up" bars, sleeper cabins, lounges, etc.

It will acually be nice to fly in a plane that is reminiscent of the early days of luxurious flight. Of course you'll pay for this, but what the heck.