Aviation News

2009-11-20

Air France A380 Completes First Flight to America

Air France today became the first European airline to operate the double-decker Airbus A380 in commercial service, completing its inaugural flight from Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.

While Air France is actually the third carrier to operate the world’s largest commercial aircraft on U.S. routes—following Emirates and Qantas—this flight marks perhaps the most politically significant milestone the A380 program has achieved so far, connecting the country where Airbus assembles the aircraft to the home of the manufacturer’s archrival, Boeing.

Most of the 538 seats aboard the inaugural flight were auctioned to travel enthusiasts curious to fly the new “Superjumbo,” with all proceeds to be donated to charity.

Air France, which had already operated several daily flights between Paris and New York using various types of aircraft, will increase capacity by flying one daily round-trip with the A380 beginning Monday, November 23rd. The carrier has 11 additional copies of the aircraft on order, which will be used for other long haul routes such as Paris-Johannesburg.

Coincidentally, today’s flight comes a day after a report that Boeing has set a new target date for the first flight of their new 787 Dreamliner, a program plagued by delays and design problems comparable to those suffered by Airbus and the A380. The new A380’s arrival also comes just days after Boeing’s own new “very large aircraft,” the 747-8, emerged from its assembly hangar for the first time.


Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)

Photo by Phil Derner

(Photo by Phil Derner)



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  • Great pictures and video,
    I saw A380 at le Bourget in June 2009, wonderful airplane.
    Regards
    Laurent
    LFRN
    http://www.radarvirtuel.com

  • Great shots. Where were you shooting from for the touchdown?

  • Great shots. Where were you shooting from for the touchdown?

  • Tom

    Wonderful pics! What lens did you use? The EXIF is unfortunately empty.

    These planes are really great. I was fascinated by what business-class has to offer: http://www.you.uz/2009/11/airbus-a380-5-star-hote

  • Tom

    Wonderful pics! What lens did you use? The EXIF is unfortunately empty.

    These planes are really great. I was fascinated by what business-class has to offer: http://www.you.uz/2009/11/airbus-a380-5-star-hote

  • These are great shots! It's amazing to me how something that big can fly. FYI I embedded your video on my page.

    http://www.iloveplanes.com

  • These are great shots! It's amazing to me how something that big can fly. FYI I embedded your video on my page.

    http://www.iloveplanes.com

  • andri

    woow,…
    I interested,……..

  • andri

    woow,…
    I interested,……..

  • eugene

    whaaooow, ———- i want one of those ! 🙂

  • eugene

    whaaooow, ———- i want one of those ! 🙂

  • Mihajlo

    To build A380 you need a courage and expertise ! Remember the electricen strike ? When they refuse to made a mistake ?!

  • Mihajlo

    To build A380 you need a courage and expertise ! Remember the electricen strike ? When they refuse to made a mistake ?!

  • Mihajlo

    To build A380 you need a courage and expertise ! Remember the electricen strike ? When they refuse to made a mistake ?!

  • Mihajlo

    To build A380 you need a courage and expertise ! Remember the electricen strike ? When they refuse to made a mistake ?!

  • Great work companion, keep the application up