Luxury Plane, The Singapore Airlines Airbus A380

The family of A380 aircraft, each with twin aisles and 2 levels, provides more room than any previous aircraft. Passenger ship-style stairs lead between the levels. The cargo compartments can be used for shops, exercise areas and sleeping rooms.

The baseline A380-100, with a capacity of 555 passengers in three classes, boasts a range of up to 14,200km (7,650nm). The stretched A380-200 is capable of transporting 656 passengers, also up to 14,200km (7,650nm). The A380-100R variant retains the 555 seat capacity, but with a range of 16,200km (8,750nm). Also under consideration is a smaller version, the A380-50R, to carry 481 passengers up to the same 16,200km (8,750nm) range as the 100R.

At the request of airlines and airport authorities, the A380 fits within an 80 x 80m (262 x 262 ft) horizontal box, to make best use of current runways, taxiways and gates. The A380 will use the same runway length as the Boeing 747, even though its fuselage is 25cm (10 in) wider. Airbus also developed a new light material called Glare, made of fiberglass and aluminium alloy, which would shave several tonnes off the weight.

Airbus aims to make the A380 the most pleasurable flying experience possible, regardless of a traveller’s size or class of ticket. A show flight took place in 2006 with service flights scheduled for 2008.