An A380, the world's largest aircraft, touched down at London's Heathrow Airport Tuesday afternoon, completing the plane's first-ever commercial flight to Europe, the Associated Press reported. Singapore Airlines Flight SQ308 touched down at 2:51 p.m. (1451GMT), about 15 minutes ahead of schedule. There were 449 passengers on board. Its arrival -- shown live by the British Broadcasting Corp.'s News24 -- was heavily anticipated in Britain. Singapore Airlines took out two-page advertisements in national newspapers touting the London to Singapore route and the airline said British aviation minister Jim Fitzpatrick and business minister Pat McFadden were on hand to welcome the super jumbo. "It is a privilege to be here to witness its first ever commercial flight to not just the U.K., but to Europe," McFadden said in a statement put out by the carrier. He said the plane was quieter and cleaner than existing commercial aircraft. The A380, as tall as a seven-storey building, can seat more than 800 passengers in an all-economy class configuration. Singapore Airlines has opted for 471 seats in three classes -- 12 Singapore Airlines suites, 60 business class and 399 economy class seats. Each luxury suite is equipped with sliding doors, a 58-centimeter (23-inch) LCD TV, a full bed and a leather seat. Two of the suites can be joined to provide double beds. Powered by four Rolls Royce Trent 900 engines, the A380 ends the nearly 37-year reign of the U.S.-made Boeing 747 jumbo jet as the world's most spacious passenger plane. The 747 jumbo jet generally carries about 400 passengers. Airbus, the European manufacturer of the A380, says the new plane is the most fuel efficient and quietest passenger jet ever built, from inside and outside.
