Airbus A380 makes maiden flight

Emily Pacey

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The first plane to feature onboard duty-free boutiques has taken to the skies

The twin-deck Airbus A380, which many believe will revolutionise the aviation industry, has made its maiden flight. It took off from its production site in Toulouse with a crew of six and 20 tonnes of test equipment just after 0830 GMT. The four-hour flight marks the beginning of what Airbus sees as the future of air travel.

The A380 is designed to carry as many as 840 people on two decks, and can be adapted to feature onboard duty-free boutiques. Airbus marketing manager John Leahy described the superjumbo as "a flying cruise ship." The first-class cabin is fitted out with a large circular bar, leather armchairs and a brass-railed double staircase. The lower deck features exercise rooms, casinos and duty-free boutiques.

Fifteen airlines, including Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, have placed orders for the new aircraft, and Airbus expects to receive 100 orders by the end of the year.