By Dan Silkstone Transport Reporter November 15, 2005
THE world's largest passenger plane flew over Melbourne yesterday. Then it gently kissed the newly widened runway at Tullamarine, as more than 1000 spectators clapped and cheered.
The Airbus A380 arrived for a 24-hour visit as part of a worldwide test program. It will begin service in Australia in 2007. The Australian visit is the first time the plane has been outside Europe.
The visit coincided with the 85th anniversary of Qantas, which has bought 12 of the planes.
The A380 is massive. Depending on how it is configured, it will seat up to 800, compared with the 416 of the current king of the skies, the jumbo, or Boeing 747. This jumbo-humbler is a similar length to the 747, but has three decks (two for passengers, one for cargo), is fatter and rounder. It does not so much resemble a bird as a pregnant trout with wings. But despite its ungainly appearance, the A380 is faster than a jumbo, and much quieter, creating half the noise of its rival.
Qantas will be the first airline to fly the A380 out of Melbourne. Chairwoman Margaret Jackson said the first Australian services would be from Melbourne to Los Angeles, probably in May or June 2007.
Ms Jackson predicted that the new plane would lead to cheaper long flights and better passenger comfort.
"This aircraft will revolutionise air travel in much the same way as the Boeing 747 did in the 1960s and '70s," she said. "Wherever the A380 has gone in the world, crowds have followed."
Yesterday, hundreds of people gathered beyond the airport fence to watch the landing, and the terminal observation deck — closed since September 11, 2001 — was reopened and bulged with spectators.
Even the tarmac was crammed with hundreds of airport staff keen to view see the visitor.
Police said the crowds created traffic chaos around the airport, but the plane's European custodians were not surprised.
When the A380 went to the German city of Frankfurt recently, 90,000 people turned up to see it.
Other airlines to fly the A380 to Melbourne will include Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Malaysia Airlines. Each will be able to choose its own cabin layout and design.
The Qantas version, designed by local style guru Marc Newsom, is a tightly guarded secret.
Ms Jackson said the new cabins would feature a redesigned version of the airline's popular "skybed", as well as larger television screens, redesigned seats in economy class, internet access and special lounge areas.
