Super jumbo21 April 2008
Will aviation's biggest bird foul the nest?
What is it?
The world's largest passenger plane. It recently touched down at Heathrow after its first European commercial flight. Known to its mum and dad as the Airbus A380.
What does it do?
Think out-of-town retail park with wings. The so-called 'super jumbo' can carry 555 passengers in three classes (that's 139 more than your average jumbo).
It has two passenger decks with space for special optional features, such as an on-board gym and even a shopping arcade. Just in case you didn't buy enough aftershave at the airport...
What's to like?
Airbus claims that, despite its bulk, the A380 is one of the greenest airliners ever built, with quieter engines than its competitors and a similar fuel efficiency per passenger mile as a modern family car.
But with a wingspan of nearly 80 metres, finding parking space at B&Q on a Saturday may be a challenge.
What's not to like?
There's no getting around the fact that the A380 can burn up to 130,000 litres of fuel during a single flight.
As it is, if the aviation industry keeps growing at its current rate, it'll be the largest source of climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions by 2040.
© WTL Photos
