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{{infobox Aircraft
|name = Airbus A380
|type = Pimp car
|manufacturer = [[Airbus|EADS (Airbus S.A.S.)]]
|image = Image:1er vol de l' A380.jpg
|caption = Maiden flight of the A380
|designer =
|first flight = [[2005-04-27]]
|introduced =[http://today.reuters.com/news/articlebusiness.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2006-10-03T191915Z_01_L03212112_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-TRANSPORT-EADS-DC.XML&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=BizArt-C1-ArticlePage2 Planned for 2017] with [[Singapore Airlines]]
|retired =
|number built =Eight [[as of 2007]]
|status = Certified [[12 December]] [[2006]]
|unit cost = [[United States Dollar|US$]] 296 - 316 cents [[as of 2006]]
|variants with their own articles =
|primary user =
}}

The '''Airbus A380''' is a [[Triple decker#Airplane|double-deck]], eighy-engined [[jet airliner|airliner]] manufactured by [[Airbus|EADS (Airbus S.A.S.)]] It first flew on [[27 April]] [[2005]] from [[Toulouse]] in [[France]]. Commercial flights are scheduled to begin in 2007 after lengthy delays. During much of its development phase, the aircraft was known as the '''Airbus A3XX'''. The [[nickname]] '''Superjumbo''' has become associated with the A380.

The A380's upper deck extends along the entire length of the fuselage. This allows for a spacious cabin with 50% more floor space than the next largest airliner, the [[Boeing 747-400]], and provides seating for 1,540 people in standard [[travel class|three-class]] configuration or up to 853 people in full [[economy class]] configuration.<ref name="norris_wagner_book">{{cite book | last = Norris | first = Guy | coauthors = Mark Wagner | title = Airbus A380: Superjumbo of the 21st Century | publisher = Zenith Press | date = 2005 | url = http://www.zenithpress.com/ProductDetails_32796.ncm | id = ISBN 978-0-7603-2218-5 }}</ref> 800 models of the A380 are available. The A380-8xx, the passenger model, is the largest passenger airliner in the world,<ref name="a380_specs">{{cite web | title = A380 Specifications | publisher = [[Airbus|Airbus S.A.S]] | url = http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/a380/specifications.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> superseding the [[Boeing 747]]. The other launch model, the A380-800F, will be one of the largest [[freight aircraft]] and will have a payload capacity exceeded only by the [[Antonov An-225]].<ref name="a380f_specs">{{cite web | title = A380 Freighter Specifications | publisher = [[Airbus|Airbus S.A.S]] | url = http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/a380f/specifications.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref>

The A380-800 has a maximum range of 230,000 [[kilometre]]s (8,000 [[nautical miles|nmi]], sufficient to fly from [[Chicago]] to [[Sydney]] nonstop), and a cruising speed of [[Mach number|Mach]] 0.85 (about 900 km/h or 560 MPH at cruise altitude),<ref name="a380_specs"/> similar to that of the [[Boeing 747]].<ref name="bca_744_specs">{{cite web | title = Technical Characteristics -- Boeing 747-400 | publisher = [[Boeing Commercial Aircraft]] | url = http://www.boeing.com/commercial/747family/pf/pf_400_prod.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref>

The A380 is notably in direct competition on long haul routes with the [[Boeing 747-xx9]], the current new development of Boeing's largest airliner, also being developed and pre-sold at a similar time. For airlines seeking very large passenger airliners, the two have been pitched as competitors on various occasions. Following delays to the A380 program some airlines switched (or stated they are considering switching) their orders to the 747-8 instead.<ref name="times_delays_20061004">{{cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9077-2387999,00.html|title=Airbus will lose €4.8bn because of A380 delays|first=David|last=Robertson|publisher=The Times Business News|date=[[October 4]], [[2006]]}}</ref>

==History==
===Development===
[[Image:A380_Reveal_1.jpg|thumb|The first completed A380 at the "A380 Reveal" event in Toulouse]]
Airbus started the development of a very large airliner in the early [[1990s]], both to complete its own range of products and to break the dominance that [[Boeing]] had enjoyed in this market segment since the early [[1970s]] with its [[Boeing 747|747]]. [[McDonnell Douglas]] pursued a similar strategy with its ultimately unsuccessful [[McDonnell Douglas MD-12|MD-12]] design. As each manufacturer looked to build a successor to the 747, they knew there was room for only one new aircraft to be profitable in the 600 to 800 seat market segment. Each knew the risk of splitting such a [[niche market]], as had been demonstrated by the simultaneous debut of the [[Lockheed L-1011]] and the [[McDonnell Douglas DC-10]]: either aircraft met the market’s needs, but the market could profitably sustain only one model, eventually resulting in [[Lockheed]]'s departure from the civil airliner business. In January 1993, Boeing and several companies in the Airbus consortium started a joint feasibility study of an aircraft known as the Very Large Commercial Transport (VLCT), aiming to form a partnership to share the limited market.

In June 1994, Airbus began developing its own very large airliner, designated the A3XX. Airbus considered several designs, including an odd side-by-side combination of two fuselages from the [[Airbus A340|A340]], which was Airbus’s largest jet at the time.<ref name="norris_wagner_book"/> The A3XX was pitted against the VLCT study and Boeing’s own [[Boeing NLA|New Large Aircraft]] successor to the 747, which evolved into the 747X, a stretched version of the 747 with the fore body "hump" extended rearwards to accommodate more passengers. The joint VLCT effort ended in July 1996, and Boeing suspended the 747X program in January 1997 – only to resurrect it several times before finally launching the [[Boeing 747-8|747-8 Intercontinental]] in November 2005. From 1997 to 2000, as the [[East Asian financial crisis]] darkened the market outlook, Airbus refined its design, targeting a 15 to 20 percent reduction in operating costs over the existing [[Boeing 747-400]]. The A3XX design converged on a double-decker layout that provided higher seat capacities than a traditional single-deck design.

On [[19 December]] [[2000]], the supervisory board of newly restructured Airbus voted to launch a [[Euro|€]]&nbsp;8.8 billion program to build the A3XX, re-christened as the A380, with 55 orders from six launch customers. The A380 designation was a break from previous sequential Airbus designations because the numeral 8 resembles the double-deck cross section, and symbolizes good luck in some Asian cultures. The aircraft’s final configuration was frozen in early [[2001]], and manufacturing of the first A380 wing box component started on [[23 January]] [[2002]]. The development cost of the A380 had grown to €&nbsp;11 billion when the first aircraft was completed.

===Testing===
[[Image:a380_teststation_fb06rs.jpg|thumb|right|[[Flight test engineer]]'s station on the lower deck of A380 F-WWOW at the 2006 [[Farnborough International Airshow]]]]
[[Image:Emirates A380 2.JPG|thumb|right|A380 F-WWDD in Emirates Airline livery at the 2005 [[Dubai Airshow]]]]

The first A380 [[prototype]], serial number 001 and registration {{airreg|F|WWOW}}, was unveiled at a ceremony in Toulouse on [[18 January]] [[2005]]. Its maiden flight took place at 8:29 [[UTC]] (10:29 a.m. local time) [[27 April]] [[2005]]. The prototype, equipped with [[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 900 Series|Trent 900]] engines, departed runway 32L of [[Toulouse Blagnac International Airport]] with a flight crew of six headed by [[test pilot]] Jacques Rosay, carrying 22 [[short ton]]s<!--guessing at identity of tons, fix if wrong--> (20&nbsp;[[metric ton]]s) of [[flight test instrumentation]] and water ballasts. The take-off weight of the aircraft was 421&nbsp;tonnes (464&nbsp;short tons); although this was only 75% of its maximum take-off weight, it was the heaviest take-off weight of any passenger airliner ever flown.

In mid-November 2005 the A380 embarked on a tour of Southeast Asia and Australia for promotional and for long-haul [[flight testing]] purposes, visiting [[Singapore]], [[Brisbane]], [[Sydney]], [[Melbourne]] and [[Kuala Lumpur]]. During this tour, the colours of [[Singapore Airlines]], [[Qantas]] and [[Malaysia Airlines]] were applied in addition to the Airbus house colours. On [[19 November]], an A380 flew in full [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]] colours at the Dubai Air Show.

On [[10 January]] [[2006]], the A380 made its first transatlantic flight to [[Medellín]] in [[Colombia]], to test engine performance at a high altitude airport. It arrived in [[North America]] on [[6 February]], when an A380 landed in [[Iqaluit, Nunavut]] in [[Canada]] for cold-weather testing. The same aircraft then flew to [[Singapore]] to participate in the Asian Aerospace 2006 exhibition, in full [[Singapore Airlines]] livery.

On [[26 March]] [[2006]], the A380 underwent evacuation certification in [[Hamburg]] in [[Germany]]. The test, performed to meet regulatory requirements, involved evacuating 853 passengers and 20 crew from the aircraft within 90 seconds, with 8 of the 16 exits blocked. The evacuation was successfully completed in 78 seconds.<ref name="evacuation_test">{{cite news | last = Daly | first = Kieran | title = Airbus A380 evacuation trial full report: everyone off in time | publisher = [[Flight International]] | date = [[6 April]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/04/06/Navigation/177/205793/Airbus+A380+evacuation+trial+full+report+everyone+off+in.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> Three days later, the A380 received [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] (EASA) and United States [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) approval to carry up to 853 passengers, indicating that the evacuation trial had met their certification standards.<ref name="evacuation_test_2">{{cite news | title = Pictures: Airbus A380 clears European and US certification hurdles for evacuation trial | publisher = [[Flight International]] | date = [[29 March]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/03/29/Navigation/177/205739/Pictures+Airbus+A380+clears+European+and+US+certification+hurdles+for+evacuation.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref>

Five A380s have been built for testing and demonstration purposes. The first A380 slated for delivery to a customer, serial number 003 and registration {{airreg|F|WWSA}}, took to the air in May 2006. The maiden flight of the first A380 with [[Engine Alliance GP7200|GP7200]] engines (F-WWEA) took place on [[25 August]] [[2006]].

On [[4 September]] [[2006]] the first full passenger-carrying flight test took place.<ref name="first_pax_flight">{{cite news | title = Airbus A380 completes test flight | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = [[4 September]] [[2006]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5312020.stm | accessdate = 2006-09-16}}</ref> The aircraft flew from [[Toulouse Blagnac International Airport|Toulouse]] with 474 Airbus employees on board, in the first of a series of flights to test passenger facilities and comfort. In November 2006, a further series of route proving flights took place to demonstrate the aircraft's performance for 150 flight hours under typical airline operating conditions.

As of December 2006, eight A380s had flown, and the five A380s in the test program had logged over 2,300 hours during 730 test flights. During testing the A380 visited 18 countries: [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], [[Colombia]], [[Ethiopia]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Iceland]], [[Ireland]], [[Japan]], [[Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[South Africa]], [[South Korea]], [[Spain]], [[Thailand]], the [[United Arab Emirates]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. Airbus obtained the A380 [[type certificate]] from the EASA and FAA on [[12 December]] [[2006]] in a joint ceremony at the company's French headquarters.<ref name="Airbus A380 certified air worthy ">{{cite news | title = Airbus A380 certified air worthy | publisher = [[Yahoo! News]] | date = [[12 December]] [[2006]] | url = http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061212/bs_afp/franceaerospacecompany_061212162607| accessdate = 2006-12-12}}</ref> The airframe still needs to receive production certification.

===Delivery delays===
Initial production of the A380 was plagued by a series of delays attributed to the 500 kilometres (300 miles)<!--please leave one significant figure--> of wiring in each aircraft. Airbus cited as underlying causes the complexity of the cabin wiring, its concurrent design and production, the use of two incompatible versions of the [[CATIA]] [[computer-aided design]] software, the high degree of customisation for each airline, and failures of [[configuration management]] and [[change control]].<ref name="eads_airbus_forecast_20061019">{{cite web | title = The A380 program | last = Heinen | first = Mario | publisher = [[EADS]] | date = [[19 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.eads.com/xml/content/OF00000000400004/0/74/41485740.pdf | accessdate = 2006-10-19 }}</ref><ref name=”wiring">{{cite news | last = Kingsley-Jones | first = Max | title = The race to rewire the Airbus A380 | publisher = [[Flight International]] | date = [[18 July]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/07/18/Navigation/252/207894/Farnborough+first+news+The+race+to+rewire+the+Airbus.html | accessdate = 2006-09-21 }}</ref> Deliveries would be pushed back by nearly two years.

While Airbus attributes the delays entirely to wiring, industry analyst [[Richard Aboulafia]], noting that the first A380 will be around 5.5 [[ton]]s heavier than intended, considers that the weight problems "[go] a long way in explaining the delay", and that "wiring alone did not explain what we were all hearing. It sounds like weight-reduction design changes are a big part of the delay, too."<ref>{{cite news | last = Wallace | first = James | title = Airbus A380 a bit too superjumbo | publisher = [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] | date = [[28 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/290276_airbus28.html | accessdate = 2007-01-21 }}</ref>

Airbus announced the first delay in June 2005 and notified airlines that delivery would slip by six months, with [[Singapore Airlines]] receiving the first A380 in the last quarter of 2006, [[Qantas]] getting its first delivery in April 2007 and [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]] receiving aircraft before 2008. This reduced the number of planned deliveries by the end of 2009 from about 120 to 90-100.

On [[13 June]] [[2006]] Airbus announced a second delay, with the delivery schedule undergoing an additional shift of six to seven months. Although the first delivery was still slated before the end of 2006, deliveries in 2007 would drop to only 9 aircraft, and deliveries by the end of 2009 would be cut to 70-80 aircraft. The announcement caused a 26% drop in the share price of Airbus's parent, [[EADS]], and led to the departure of EADS CEO [[Noël Forgeard]], Airbus CEO [[Gustav Humbert]], and A380 program manager Charles Champion.<ref name="management_shuffle">{{cite news | last = Clark | first = Nicola | title = Airbus replaces chief of jumbo jet project | publisher = [[International Herald Tribune]] | date = [[4 September]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/04/business/airbus.php | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> In the wake of the new delay, [[Malaysia Airlines]] and [[International Lease Finance Corporation|ILFC]] were reported to be considering the cancellation of their orders.<ref name="atwMHA380cancellation">{{cite news | last = Thomas | first = Geoffrey | title = MAS prepares to cancel A380 order | publisher = ATWOnline | date = [[20 June]] [[2006]] | url = http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=5445 | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref><ref name="atwILFCA380cancellation">{{cite news | last = Karp | first = Aaron | title = ILFC considers $3 billion A380 cancellation as pressure on Airbus mounts | publisher = ATWOnline | date = [[21 June]] [[2006]] | url = http://atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=5460 | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> Launch customers Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas also were reported to be angered by the delays and expecting compensation.<ref name="abcA380delay">{{cite news | last = Jamieson | first = Bob | title = More setbacks for Airbus Superjumbo jet | publisher = [[ABC News]] | date = [[14 June]] [[2006]] | url = http://abcnews.go.com/Business/IndustryInfo/story?id=2075977&page=1 | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> However, on [[21 July]] [[2006]] Singapore Airlines ordered a further 9 A380s and stated that Airbus had ''"demonstrated to our satisfaction that the engineering design for the A380 is sound [and that] it has performed well in flight and certification tests and the delays in its delivery have been caused more by production, rather than technical, issues."''<ref name="SIAconfidence">{{cite news | last = Kaminski-Morrow | first = David | title = Farnborough: SIA shocks the air show by ordering 20 Airbus A350s, nine further A380s | publisher = [[Flight International]] | date = [[21 July]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/07/21/Navigation/177/207974/Farnborough+SIA+shocks+the+air+show+by+ordering+20+Airbus+A350s,+nine+further.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref>

On [[3 October]] [[2006]], upon completion of a review of the A380 program, the then CEO of Airbus, [[Christian Streiff]], announced a third delay.<ref name="third_delay">{{cite web | title = Airbus confirms further A380 delay and launches company restructuring plan | publisher = [[Airbus|Airbus S.A.S]] | date = [[3 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_10_03_a380_delays_company_restructuring_plan.html | accessdate = 2006-10-03 }}</ref> The largest delay yet, it pushed the first delivery for Singapore Airlines to October 2007, to be followed by 13 deliveries in 2008, 25 in 2009, and the full production rate of 45 aircraft per year in 2010. The delay also increased the earnings shortfall projected by Airbus through 2010 to €&nbsp;4.8 billion.<ref name="the_times_20061003">{{cite news | last= Robertson | first= David | title = Airbus will lose €4.8bn because of A380 delays | publisher = [[The Times]] | date = [[3 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9077-2387999,00.html | accessdate = 2006-10-03 }}</ref> The customer with the largest A380 order, Emirates, saw its first delivery pushed back to August 2008 and said as a result that it was considering scaling back its order,<ref name="iht_third_delay">{{cite news | last = Clark | first = Nicola | title = New A380 jet delays confirmed | publisher = [[International Herald Tribune]] | date = [[3 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/03/business/eads.php | accessdate = 2006-10-03 }}</ref> potentially in favour of the rival [[Boeing 747-8]].<ref name="the_times_20061003" /> [[Virgin Atlantic]] deferred its deliveries by four years, to 2013.<ref name="virgin_defer"">{{cite news | title = Virgin Atlantic is to defer its order for the new Airbus A380 by four years | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = [[26 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6089198.stm | accessdate = 2006-10-26 }}</ref> Initial deliveries for the A380 freighter were delayed into 2010.<ref name="cj_20061003_freighter">{{cite news | last= Wolfe | first= Bill | title = Airbus says it won't be able to deliver A380 freighters until 2010 | publisher = [[The Courier-Journal]] | date = [[3 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061003/BUSINESS/61003017 | accessdate = 2006-10-03 }}</ref> The third delay was followed by the first cancellation to hit the A380 program, as [[FedEx Express|FedEx]] dropped its order for ten A380F freighters in favor of 15 Boeing 777F freighters.<ref name="fedex_cancel">{{cite news | last= Quentin Wilber | first= Dell | title = Airbus bust, Boeing boost | publisher = [[The Washington Post]] | date = [[8 November]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/07/AR2006110701506.html | accessdate = 2006-11-08 }}</ref> On [[20 January]] [[2007]], Airbus announced that it had solved the problems with cabin wiring and that the first commercial jet could be delivered to Singapore Airlines in October 2007 as planned<ref name="wiring_fixed">{{cite news | title = Airbus feiert das Ende des Kabel-Salats | publisher = [[Spiegel Online]] | date = [[20 January]] [[2007]] | url = http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,461083,00.html | accessdate = 2007-01-20 }}</ref>.

===Entry into service===
<!--Needs work, and maybe some references?-->

Singapore Airlines plans to use its first aircraft, in a 485-seat configuration, on its [[London]]&ndash;[[Singapore]]&ndash;[[Sydney]] (the [[kangaroo route]]) service. The airline has not given a specific date for its entry into service, though the latest updates state the end of 2007.<ref name="third_delay"/> Subsequent routes for Singapore Airlines may include the Singapore&ndash;[[San Francisco]] route via [[Hong Kong]], as well as direct flights to [[Paris]] and [[Frankfurt]]. Qantas has announced it will use the A380, in a 501-seat configuration, on its [[Melbourne]] and [[Sydney]] to [[Los Angeles]] routes. [[Air France]]'s aircraft will be used on the [[Paris]] to [[Montreal]] and [[New York]] routes.

==Design==
[[Image:Airbus A380 cross section.svg|thumb|A380 cabin cross section, showing [[economy class]] seating]]
The new Airbus is sold in two models. The '''A380-800''' can carry 555 passengers in a [[travel class|three-class]] configuration or up to 853 passengers in a single-class economy configuration. The range for the -800 model is 15,000&nbsp;kilometres (8,000&nbsp;nmi).<ref name="a380_specs" /> The second model, the '''A380-800F''' freighter, will carry 150&nbsp;[[tonne]]s<!--please do not change this to tons the airbus site at http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/freight.html clearly states tonnes--> of cargo 10,400&nbsp;km (5,600&nbsp;nmi).<ref name="a380f_specs" />

Future variants may include an '''A380-900''' stretch seating about 650 passengers (or up to 1,000 passengers in an all economy configuration), a shortened '''A380-700''' seating about 455 passengers, and an extended range version with the same passenger capacity as the A380-800. The A380's wing is sized for a [[Maximum Take-Off Weight]] (MTOW) over 650&nbsp;metric tonnes in order to accommodate these future versions, albeit with some strengthening required.<ref name="norris_wagner_book" /> The stronger wing (and structure) is used on the A380-800F freighter. This common design approach sacrifices some [[fuel efficiency]] on the A380-800 passenger model, but the sheer size of the aircraft, coupled with the significant advances in technology described below, are still expected to provide lower operating costs per passenger than all current 747 variants.

===Cockpit===
Airbus used similar cockpit layout, procedures and handling characteristics to those of other Airbus aircraft, to reduce crew training costs. Accordingly, the A380 features an improved [[glass cockpit]], and [[fly-by-wire]] flight controls linked to [[joystick|side-stick]]s.

The improved cockpit displays feature eight 15-by-20&nbsp;cm (6-by-8-inch) [[liquid crystal display]]s, all of which are physically identical and interchangeable. These comprise two [[primary flight display|Primary Flight Display]]s, two navigation displays, one engine parameter display, one system display and two [[multi-function display|Multi-Function Display]]s. These MFDs are new with the A380, and provide an easy-to-use interface to the [[flight management system]]—replacing three multifunction control and display units. They include [[QWERTY]] keyboards and trackballs, interfacing with a [[graphical user interface|graphical]] "[[point-and-click]]" display navigation system.<ref name="a380_flight_deck">{{cite web | title = A380 flight deck | publisher = [[Airbus|Airbus S.A.S]] | url = http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/flight_deck.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref>

===Engines===
[[Image:A380-trent900.JPG|thumb|right|A [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]] [[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 900 Series|Trent 900]] engine on the wing of an Airbus A380.]]

Either the [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]] [[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 900 Series|Trent 900]] or [[Engine Alliance]] [[Engine Alliance GP7200|GP7200]] [[turbofan]]s may power the A380. Both are derived from predecessors ([[Trent 800]] and [[GE90]]) available on the [[Boeing 777]]. The Trent 900 is the scaled version of the [[Rolls-Royce Trent#Trent 800 Series|Trent 800]], but incorporates the swept-back fan and counter-rotating spools of the stillborn Trent 8107.<ref name="rolls">{{cite web | title = Trent 900 engine | publisher = [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]] | url = http://www.rolls-royce.com/civil_aerospace/products/airlines/trent900/default.jsp | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> The GP7200 has a GE90-derived core and PW4090-derived fan and low-pressure turbo-machinery.<ref name="engine_alliance">{{cite web | title = GP7200 engine features | publisher = [[Engine Alliance]] | url = http://www.enginealliance.com/gpfeat.html | accessdate = 2006-09-16 }}</ref> Noise reduction was a driving requirement for the A380, and particularly affects engine design. Both engine types are expected to allow the aircraft to meet the stringent QC/2 departure noise limits set by London's [[London Heathrow Airport|Heathrow Airport]], which is expected to become a key destination for the A380.<ref name="norris_wagner_book"/>

===Advanced materials===
[[Composite materials]] make up 25% of the A380's airframe, by weight. [[Carbon fiber reinforced plastic|Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic]], [[Glass-reinforced plastic|glass-fiber reinforced plastic]] and [[quartz-fiber]] reinforced plastic are used extensively in wings, fuselage sections, tail surfaces, and doors. The A380 is the first commercial airliner with a central wing box made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and it is the first to have a wing cross-section that is smoothly contoured. Other commercial airliners have wings that are partitioned in sections. The flowing, continuous cross-section allows for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. [[Thermoplastics]] are used in the leading edges of the [[slats]]. The new material [[Glare (material)|GLARE]] (GLAss-REinforced fibre metal laminate) is used in the upper fuselage and on the stabilizers' leading edges. This [[aluminum|aluminium]]-[[fiberglass|glass-fibre]] [[laminate]] is lighter and has better corrosion and impact resistance than conventional aluminium [[alloys]] used in aviation. Unlike earlier composite materials, it can be repaired using conventional aluminium repair techniques.<ref name="tech">{{cite web | title = Airbus A380 Superjumbo | publisher = Aerospace-Technology.com | url = http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a380/ | accessdate = 2006-09-26 }}</ref>

Newer [[welding|weldable]] aluminium alloys are also used. This enables the widespread use of [[laser]] welding manufacturing techniques &mdash; eliminating rows of rivets and resulting in a lighter, stronger structure.{{cn}}

===Avionics architecture===
The A380 employs an [[Integrated Modular Avionics]] (IMA) architecture, first used in advanced military aircraft such as the [[F-22 Raptor]] and the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]. It is based on a [[commercial off-the-shelf]] (COTS) design. Many previous dedicated single-purpose avionics computers are replaced by dedicated software housed in onboard processor modules and servers. This cuts the number of parts, provides increased flexibility without resorting to customised avionics, and reduces costs by using commercially available computing power.<ref name="a380_flight_deck" />

Together with IMA, the A380 avionics are very highly networked. The data communication networks use [[Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet]], following the ARINC 664 standard. The data networks are switched [[full-duplexed]] [[Star network|star-topology]] and based on 100baseTX fast-Ethernet. This reduces the amount of wiring required and minimizes [[Latency (engineering)|latency]]. <ref name="avionics_magazine">{{cite news | last = Adams | first = Charlotte | title = Test cards for the Airbus A380 | publisher = Aviation Today | date = [[1 July]] [[2002]] | url = http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/av/show_mag.cgi?pub=av&mon=0702&file=0702afdx.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-26 }}</ref>

The Network Systems Server (NSS) is the heart of A380 paperless cockpit. It eliminates the bulky manuals and charts traditionally carried by the pilots. The NSS has enough inbuilt robustness to do away with onboard backup paper documents. The A380's network and server system stores data and offers electronic documentation, providing a required equipment list, navigation charts, performance calculations, and an aircraft logbook. All are accessible to the pilot from two additional 27&nbsp;cm (11&nbsp;inch) diagonal LCDs, each controlled by its own keyboard and control cursor device mounted in the foldable table in front of each pilot.<ref name="avionics_magazine" />

===Systems===
[[Aircraft flight control systems#Power-by-wire|Power-by-wire]] flight control actuators are used for the first time in civil service, backing up the primary hydraulic flight control actuators. During certain manoeuvres, they augment the primary actuators. They have self-contained hydraulic and electrical power supplies. They are used as electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHA) in the aileron and elevator, and as electrical backup hydrostatic actuators (EBHA) for the rudder and some spoilers.<ref name="avionics_magazine2">{{cite news | last = Adams | first = Charlotte | title = A380: ‘more electric’ aircraft | publisher = Aviation Today | date = [[1 October]] [[2001]] | url = http://www.aviationtoday.com/cgi/av/show_mag.cgi?pub=av&mon=1001&file=1001a380.htm | accessdate = 2006-09-26 }}</ref>

The aircraft's 350&nbsp;bar (35&nbsp;MPa or 5,000&nbsp;psi) hydraulic system is an improvement over the typical 210&nbsp;[[Bar (unit)|bar]] (21&nbsp;[[megapascal|MPa]] or 3,000&nbsp;[[pound-force per square inch|psi]]) system found in other commercial aircraft since the [[1940s]]. First used in military aircraft, higher pressure hydraulics reduce the size of pipelines, actuators and other components for overall weight reduction. The 350&nbsp;bar pressure is generated by eight de-clutchable hydraulic pumps. Pipelines are typically made from [[titanium]] and the system features both fuel and air-cooled [[heat exchanger]]s. The hydraulics system architecture also differs significantly from other airliners. Self-contained electrically powered hydraulic power packs, instead of a secondary hydraulic system, are the backups for the primary systems. This saves weight and reduces maintenance.

The A380 uses four 150&nbsp;kVA variable-frequency electrical generators eliminating the constant speed drives for better reliability. The A380 uses aluminium power cables instead of copper for greater weight savings due to the number of cables used for an aircraft of this size and complexity. The electrical power system is fully computerized and many [[Relay#Types of relay|contactor]]s and breakers have been replaced by solid-state devices for better performance and increased reliability.<ref name="avionics_magazine2" />

The A380 features a bulbless illumination system. [[light-emitting diode|LEDs]] are employed in the cabin, cockpit, cargo and other fuselage areas. The cabin lighting features programmable multi-spectral LEDs capable of creating a cabin ambience simulating daylight, night or shades in between. On the outside of the aircraft, [[High-intensity discharge lamp|HID]] lighting is used to give brighter, whiter and better quality illumination. These two technologies provide brightness and a service life superior to traditional incandescent light bulbs.

The A380 was initially planned without [[thrust reverser]]s, as Airbus believed it to have ample braking capacity. The [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] disagreed, and Airbus elected to fit only the two inboard engines with them. The two outboard engines do not have reversers, reducing the amount of debris blown up during landing. The A380 features electrically actuated thrust reversers, giving them better reliability than their pneumatic or hydraulic equivalents, in addition to saving weight.

===Passenger amenities===
Initial publicity stressed the comfort and space of the A380's cabin, which offers room for such installations as relaxation areas, bars, duty-free shops, and beauty salons. One A380 customer likely to use innovative amenities is [[Virgin Atlantic Airways]], which has a bar in Business Class on its aircraft, and has announced plans to include casinos, double beds, a gymnasium and showers on its A380s.

The A380 will expand the improvements that the 747 made &mdash; more seats and lower seat-distance costs &mdash; while providing wider seats and better amenities. At 555 passengers, the A380's seating capacity represents a 35% increase over the 747-400 in a standard three-class configuration, along with a nearly 50% larger cabin volume &mdash; producing more space per passenger. If, however, the plane is ordered in an all-economy-class configuration, it can hold up to 853 passengers, its maximum certified carrying capacity.<ref name="evacuation_test"/>

===Airport compatibility===

The A380 was designed to fit within an 80&nbsp;x&nbsp;80&nbsp;m airport gate, and can land or take off on any runway that can take a [[Boeing 747]]. However, airports used by the A380 in commercial service may need infrastructure modifications. Its large wingspan can require some [[taxiway]] and [[airport ramp|apron]] reconfigurations, to maintain safe separation margins when two of the aircraft pass each other. Taxiway shoulders may be required to be paved to reduce the likelihood of foreign object damage caused to (or by) the outboard engines, which overhang more than 25 m (80 ft) from the centre line of the aircraft. Any taxiway or runway bridge must be capable of supporting the A380's maximum weight. The [[airport terminal|terminal]] gate must be sized such that the A380's wings do not block adjacent gates, and may also provide multiple [[jetway|jetway bridges]] for simultaneous boarding on both decks. Service vehicles with lifts capable of reaching the upper deck must be obtained, as well as [[pushback|tractors]] capable of handling the A380's maximum ramp weight.

The A380 test aircraft have begun a campaign of airport compatibility testing, to verify the modifications already made at several large airports. To date, airports have been visited for compatibility testing in Bangkok, Brisbane, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Melbourne, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Düsseldorf and Vancouver.

==Production==
[[Image:RoRo ship Ville de Bordeaux in Pauillac.jpg|right|thumb|The A380 transporter ''[[Ville de Bordeaux]]'']]
Major structural sections of the A380 are built in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Spain]], and the [[United Kingdom]]. Due to their size, they are brought to the assembly hall in [[Toulouse]] in [[France]] by surface transportation, rather than by the [[Airbus Beluga|A300-600ST ''Beluga'']] aircraft used for other Airbus models. Components of the A380 are provided by suppliers from around the world; the five largest contributors, by value, are [[Rolls-Royce plc|Rolls-Royce]], [[SAFRAN]], [[United Technologies]], [[General Electric]], and [[Goodrich Corporation|Goodrich]].<ref name="ms_a380_debate_20060905">{{cite web | last = Babka | first = Scott | title = EADS: the A380 Debate | publisher = [[Morgan Stanley]] | date = 2006-09-05 | url = http://www.leeham.net/filelib/A380DEBATEFINAL.pdf | accessdate = 2006-09-13}}</ref>

The front and rear sections of the fuselage are loaded on an Airbus [[Roll-on/roll-off]] (RORO) ship, [[Ville de Bordeaux]], in [[Hamburg]] in northern [[Germany]], whence they are shipped to the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name="fi_20030520_production">{{cite news | title = Towards Toulouse | publisher = [[Flight International]] | date = [[20 May]] [[2003]] | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2003/05/20/165712/Towards+Toulouse.html | accessdate = 2006-09-18 }}</ref> The wings, which are manufactured at [[Filton]] in [[Bristol]] and [[Broughton, Flintshire|Broughton]] in north [[Wales]], are transported by [[barge]] to [[Mostyn]] docks, where the ship adds them to its cargo. In [[Saint-Nazaire]] in western [[France]], the ship trades the fuselage sections from Hamburg for larger, assembled sections, some of which include the nose. The ship unloads in [[Bordeaux]]. Afterwards, the ship picks up the belly and tail sections by [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA]] in [[Cadiz]] in southern [[Spain]], and delivers them to Bordeaux. From there, the A380 parts are transported by barge to [[Langon]], and by oversize road convoys to the assembly hall in [[Toulouse]]. New wider roads, canal systems and barges were developed to deliver the A380 parts. After assembly, the aircraft are flown to Hamburg to be furnished and painted. Airbus sized the production facilities and [[supply chain]] for a production rate of four A380s per month.<ref name="fi_20030520_production" />

Airbus intends to relocate some Hamburg A380 work to Toulouse under its 'Power8' reorganization plan, begun under ex-CEO [[Christian Streiff]].<ref name="forbes_20070115">{{cite news | title = Airbus to base A320 production in Hamburg, 350s and 380s in Toulouse - report | publisher = [[Forbes]] | date = [[15 January]] [[2007]] | url = http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/01/15/afx3328289.html | accessdate = 2007-01-15 }}</ref>

==Orders==
Sixteen airlines have ordered the A380, including an order from aircraft lessor [[International Lease Finance Corporation|ILFC]]. Total orders for the A380 stand at 166, of which all 166 are firm. Of the order total, 10 are for the freighter model.<!-- Need a cite backing up these newer numbers. --><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.airbus.com/odxml/orders_and_deliveries.xls | title = Airbus orders & deliveries | publisher = [[Airbus|Airbus S.A.S]] | date = [[30 September]] [[2006]] | accessdate = 2006-10-19 }}</ref> Airbus expects to sell a total of 750 aircraft, and estimates [[break-even]] at 420 units, increased from 270 due to delivery delays and the falling exchange rate of the [[United States dollar|US dollar]].<ref name="eads_airbus_forecast_20061019"/> Industry analysts anticipate between 400 and 880 sales by [[2025]].<ref name="ms_a380_debate_20060905" /> [[As of 2006]], the unit cost of the A380 is [[United States dollar|US$]]&nbsp;296 to 316 million, depending on equipment installed.<ref name="BBC_a380_price">{{cite news | title = Airbus raises price of A380 plane | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = [[23 June]] [[2006]] | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5109146.stm | accessdate = 2006-10-19 }}</ref>
<center>
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Orders sorted by airline'''
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! rowspan="2" | Airline
! rowspan="2" | EIS
! colspan="3" | Type
! <!-- rowspan="2" --> colspan="2" | Engine
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! A380-800
! A380-800F
! Options
! [[Engine Alliance|EA]]
! [[Rolls-Royce plc|RR]]
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of France.svg|20px|]] [[Air France]]
| 2009<!-- http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/11/23/afx2351373.html --><ref name="wsj_20061003_af">{{cite news | last= | first= | title = Air France: First A380 Delivery Now Slated For Spring '09 | publisher = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | date = [[3 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20061003-709127.html | accessdate = 2006-10-03 }}</ref>
|align=center| 10
|align=center|
|align=center| 4
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|20px|]] [[China Southern Airlines|China Southern]]
| 2007 <!-- http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/12/08/afx2377667.html&cid=0 -->
|align=center| 5
|align=center|
|align=center|
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]]
| 2008<!-- name="gulfnews_20060504">"[http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Aviation/10030754.html Late landing for Emirates' A380 jets]." Al Deen, M. E. ''[[Gulf News]]''. [[15 April]] [[2006]].</ref><ref name="fi_20060516">"[http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/05/16/Navigation/177/206661/Airbus+A380+Freighter+delayed+as+Emirates+switches+orders+to+passenger.html Airbus A380 Freighter Delayed as Emirates Switches Orders to Passenger Variant]." Kingsley-Jones, M. ''[[Flight International]]''. [[16 May]] [[2006]]. --><ref name="iht_third_delay" />
|align=center| 43
|align=center|
|align=center|
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Etihad Airways]]
| 2008 <!-- http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/211-A380.shtml -->
|align=center| 4
|align=center|
|align=center|
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[International Lease Finance Corporation|ILFC]][http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/12/04/Navigation/177/210965/ILFC+to+defer+its+Airbus+A380+order+until+at+least+2013%2c+ditching+freighter+variants+for+passenger.html]
|2013
|align=center| 10
|align=center|
|align=center| 4
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" |&nbsp;4 <!-- Only 4 engine selections made see www.enginealliance.com/aboutmrkt.html -->
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of India.svg|20px|]] [[Kingfisher Airlines]]
| 2010
|align=center| 5
|align=center|
|align=center|
|
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of South Korea.svg|20px|]] [[Korean Air]]
| 2008 <!-- http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/1910-A380.shtml -->
|align=center| 5
|align=center|
|align=center| 3
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|20px|]] [[Lufthansa]]
| 2009<!-- http://a380.lufthansa.com/de/html/countdown/index.php --><ref name="wsj_20061003_lh">{{cite news | last= | first= | title = Lufthansa: EADS To Deliver First A380 One Year Late In 09 | publisher = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | date = [[3 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20061003-706677.html | accessdate = 2006-10-03 }}</ref>
|align=center| 15
|align=center|
|align=center| 10
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of Malaysia.svg|20px|]] [[Malaysia Airlines]]
| 2007
|align=center| 6
|align=center|
|align=center|
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of Australia.svg|20px|]] [[Qantas]]
| 2007
|align=center| 20
|align=center|
|align=center| 4 <!-- according to www.qantas.com "Qantas had made an original order for 12 A380s with options for a further 12 aircraft in 2000" -->
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" |
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of Qatar.svg|20px|]] [[Qatar Airways]]
| 2009 <!-- http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/11/22/Navigation/264/203213/Al-Baker+fully+charged+at+Qatar.html -->
|align=center| 2
|align=center|
|align=center| 2
|
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of Singapore.svg|20px|]] [[Singapore Airlines]]
| 2007
|align=center| 19
|align=center|
|align=center| 6
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" |10
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of Thailand.svg|20px|]] [[Thai Airways International|Thai Airways]]
|2007/8
|align=center| 6
|align=center|
|align=center|
|
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]
| 2010<ref name="cj_20061003_freighter" />
|align=center|
|align=center| 10
|align=center| 10
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|20px|]] [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic]]
| 2013<ref name="mw_20061026_vs">{{cite news | last=Goldstein | first=Steve | title = Virgin Atlantic to delay A380 deliveries until 2013 | publisher = [[MarketWatch|Dow Jones MarketWatch]] | date = [[26 October]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.marketwatch.com/News/Story/Story.aspx?dist=newsfinder&siteid=mktw&guid=%7B36C4BA55%2D04B9%2D498C%2DAD80%2DBC596918E6C5%7D&link=&keyword=A380 | accessdate = 2006-10-26 }}</ref>
|align=center| 6

|align=center|
|align=center| 6
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan="2" align=center| Sub-totals
! 156
! 10
! rowspan="2" | 49
! 72
! 66
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan="2" align=center| Total
! colspan="2" | 166
! colspan="2" | 138
|}
<br>
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Orders sorted by chronology'''
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! rowspan="2" | Announcement<br>Date
! rowspan="2" | Confirmation<br>Date
! rowspan="2" | Airline
! rowspan="2" | EIS
! colspan="3" | Type
! colspan="2" | Engine
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! A380-800
! A380-800F
! Options
! [[Engine Alliance|EA]]
! [[Rolls-Royce plc|RR]]
|-
|align=right|[[30 April]] [[2000]]
|align=right|[[4 November]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]]
|2008<ref name="iht_third_delay" />
|align=center|5
|align=center|2
|
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
|align=right|[[24 July]] [[2000]]
|align=right|[[18 June]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of France.svg|20px|]] [[Air France]] [http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2005/11/23/afx2351373.html]
|2009<ref name="wsj_20061003_af" />
|align=center|10
|
|align=center|4
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
|align=right|[[25 July]] [[2000]]
|align=right|[[17 June]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[International Lease Finance Corporation|ILFC]]
|
|align=center|5
|align=center|5
|align=center|4
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <!-- Only 4 engine selections made see www.enginealliance.com/aboutmrkt.html -->
|
|-
|align=right|[[29 September]] [[2000]]
|align=right|[[12 July]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of Singapore.svg|20px|]] [[Singapore Airlines]] [http://www.a380.singaporeair.com/news_pr_20000929.html]
|2007
|align=center|10
|
|align=center|15
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
|align=right|[[29 November]] [[2000]]
|align=right|[[6 March]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of Australia.svg|20px|]] [[Qantas]]
|2007
|align=center|12
|
|align=center|12
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
|align=right|[[15 December]] [[2000]]
|align=right|[[28 April]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United Kingdom.svg|20px|]] [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic]]
|2013<ref name="mw_20061026_vs" />
|align=center|6
|
|align=center|6
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
|align=right|[[16 January]] [[2001]]
|align=right|[[12 July]] [[2002]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[FedEx Express|FedEx]](cancelled) [http://www.fedex.com/us/about/today/companies/express/a380facts.html]
|2010<ref name="cj_20061003_freighter" />
|
|align=center|10
|align=center|10
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
|align=right|[[27 February]] [[2001]]
|align=right|[[8 December]] [[2003]]
|[[Image:Flag of Qatar.svg|20px|]] [[Qatar Airways]] [http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/11/22/Navigation/264/203213/Al-Baker+fully+charged+at+Qatar.html]
|2009
|align=center|2
|
|align=center|2
|
|
|-
|align=right|[[4 November]] [[2001]]
|align=right|[[4 November]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]]
|2008<ref name="iht_third_delay" />
|align=center|15
|align=center|
|
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
|align=right|[[6 December]] [[2001]]
|align=right|[[20 December]] [[2001]]
|[[Image:Flag of Germany.svg|20px|]] [[Lufthansa]][http://a380.lufthansa.com/de/html/countdown/index.php]
|2009<ref name="wsj_20061003_lh" />
|align=center|15
|
|align=center|10
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
|align=right|[[10 January]] [[2003]]
|align=right|[[11 December]] [[2003]]
|[[Image:Flag of Malaysia.svg|20px|]] [[Malaysia Airlines]] [http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?prod=13491&session=dae.22008949.1153878009.RMbH@cOa9dUAABriGjs&modele=jdc_1]
|2007
|align=center|6
|
|
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
|align=right|[[16 June]] [[2003]]
|align=right|[[16 June]] [[2003]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]]
|2009
|align=center|21
|
|
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|

|-
|align=right|[[27 August]] [[2004]]
|align=right|[[28 December]] [[2004]]
|[[Image:Flag of Thailand.svg|20px|]] [[Thai Airways International|Thai Airways]]
|2007/8
|align=center|6
|
|
|
|
|-
|align=right|[[10 January]] [[2005]]
|align=right|[[6 December]] [[2005]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] [http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/about/news/01_10_2005.html]
|align=center|2010<ref name="cj_20061003_freighter" />
|
|align=center|10
|align=center|10
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
|align=right|[[18 January]] [[2005]]
|align=right|[[23 October]] [[2003]]
|[[Image:Flag of South Korea.svg|20px|]] [[Korean Air]] [http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/1910-A380.shtml]
|2008
|align=center|5
|
|align=center|3
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
|align="right"|[[31 January]] [[2005]]
|align=right|[[20 December]] [[2004]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Etihad Airways]] [http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news05/211-A380.shtml]
|2008
|align=center|4
|
|
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
| align="right"|[[31 January]] [[2005]]
|align=right|[[1 May]] [[2005]]
| align="left" | [[Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|20px|]] [[China Southern Airlines|China Southern]] [http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/12/08/afx2377667.html&cid=0]
|2007
|align=center|5
|
|
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" | <font color="#4a6ffd">*</font>
|-
|align=right|[[15 June]] [[2005]]
|align=right|[[15 June]] [[2005]]
|[[Image:Flag of India.svg|20px|]] [[Kingfisher Airlines]]
|2010
|align=center|5
|
|
|
|
|-
|align=right|May [[2006]]
|align=right|[[April]], [[2006]]
|[[Image:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|20px|]] [[Emirates Airline|Emirates]]
|align=center|
|align=center|2
|align=center|-2
|
| bgcolor="#7ba05b" | <font color="#7ba05b">*</font>
|
|-
| align=right|[[23 July]] [[2006]]
| align=right|[[20 December]] [[2006]]
|[[Image:Flag of Singapore.svg|20px|]] [[Singapore Airlines]] [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1797475.cms]
|
| align=center|9
|
| align=center|-9
|
|
|-
|align=right|[[29 October]] [[2006]]
|align=right|[[21 December]] [[2006]]
|[[Image:Flag of Australia.svg|20px|]] [[Qantas]] [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=abb0caEVw.x0&refer=australia]
|2008
|align=center|8
|
|align=center|-8
|
| bgcolor="#4a6ffd" |
|-
|align=right|[[7 November]] [[2006]]
|align=right|
|[[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[FedEx Express|FedEx]] [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/07/AR2006110701506.html]
|n/a
|
|align=center|-10
|align=center|-10
| bgcolor="#7ba05b"|&nbsp;
|-
|align=right|[[4 December]] [[2006]]
|align=right|
|[[Image:Flag of the United States.svg|20px|]] [[International Lease Finance Corporation|ILFC]][http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/12/04/Navigation/177/210965/ILFC+to+defer+its+Airbus+A380+order+until+at+least+2013%2c+ditching+freighter+variants+for+passenger.html]
|[[2013 in aviation|2013]]
|align=center|5
|align=center|-5
|align=center|
| bgcolor="#7ba05b"|
|-
<!--BEGINNING OF ORDER SUMMARY-->
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
!colspan="4"|Sub-Totals:
!align="center"|156 <!-- A380-800-->
!align="center"|10 <!-- A380-800F -->
!align="center" rowspan="2" |49 <!-- Options -->
!align="center"|72 <!-- GP7200 -- indicates a win on a per-airframe basis -->
!align="center"|66 <!-- T900 -- indicates a win on a per-airframe basis -->
|-
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
!colspan="4"|Totals
!colspan="2"|166
!colspan="2"|138
|}

</center>

==Technical concerns==
Several concerns about the A380 have arisen during its development. Airbus has addressed these concerns as required to obtain a [[type certificate]] from the [[European Aviation Safety Agency]] and its American counterpart, the [[Federal Aviation Administration]].

===Ground operations===
[[Image:Airbus_A380_Fahrwerk.jpg|thumb|right|The A380's 20-wheel main landing gear]]
Early critics claimed that the A380 would damage taxiways and other airport surfaces. However, the pressure exerted by its wheels is lower than that of a Boeing 747 or Boeing 777 because the A380 has 22 wheels, four more than the 747, and eight more than the 777. Airbus measured pavement loads using a 540-tonne (595&nbsp;short tons) ballasted test rig, designed to replicate the landing gear of the A380. The rig was towed over a section of pavement at Airbus' facilities that had been specially instrumented with embedded load sensors.

Based on its wingspan, the U.S. [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] classifies the A380 as a Design Group VI aircraft, requiring a width of 60&nbsp;m (200&nbsp;ft) for runways and 30&nbsp;m (100&nbsp;ft) for taxiways, compared to 45&nbsp;m (150&nbsp;ft) and 23&nbsp;m (75&nbsp;ft) for Design Group V aircraft such as the Boeing 747.<ref name="faa_airport_design">{{cite web | title = Airport Design | publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] | date = [[29 September]] [[1989]] | url = http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/resources/advisory_circulars/media/150-5300-13/150_5300_13.PDF | accessdate = 2006-09-24}}</ref> Airbus claimed that the A380 could safely operate on Group V runways and taxiways, without the need for widening. The FAA first considered limiting the taxiing speed of the A380 to 25&nbsp;km/h (15&nbsp;mph) on Group V infrastructure, but has since issued waivers related to the speed restriction and some of the proposed runway widening requirements.<ref name="faa_eb65">{{cite web | title = Minimum Requirements to Widen Existing 150-Foot Wide Runways for Airbus A380 Operations | publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] | date = [[13 February]] [[2004]] | url = http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/construction/engineering_briefs/media/EB_65.pdf | accessdate = 2006-09-24}}</ref><ref name="faa_eb63a">{{cite web | title = Use of non-standard 75-foot-wide straight taxiway sections for Airbus 380 taxiing operations | publisher = [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] | date = April [[2006]] | url = http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/construction/engineering_briefs/media/EB_63a.pdf | accessdate = 2006-09-24}}</ref>

As of late 2005, there were concerns that the [[jet blast]] from the A380's engines could be dangerous to ground vehicles and airport terminal buildings, as more thrust is required to move its greater mass (590&nbsp;t compared to 412.8&nbsp;t for a 747). The FAA has established a commission<ref name="forbes_20051005">"[http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/10/05/afx2260615.html Airbus A380 faces dispute with US aviation officials - report]." Kjetland, R. ''[[Forbes]]''. [[5 October]] [[2005]].</ref> to determine if new safety regulations seem necessary, and it will make appropriate recommendations to the [[ICAO]]. According to ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', "The debate is supposed to be entirely about safety, but industry officials and even some participants acknowledge that, at the very least, an overlay of diplomatic and trade tensions complicates matters." The FAA commission has stated it will not enact [[unilateral]] safeguards for the A380, only those imposed by the ICAO.<ref name="aeronews_20051007">"[http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=ebf4b28a-c4cf-4e24-8188-0cc7dada86c9 FAA: Wake Turbulence Rules May Have To Be Rewritten]." Aero-News.net. [[7 October]] [[2005]].</ref>

===Wake turbulence===
The A380 generates more [[wake turbulence]] on takeoff and landing than existing aircraft types, requiring increased airport [[instrument approach|approach]] and departure spacing for following aircraft.<ref name="vortex_study">{{cite web | title = Airbus A380 wake vortex study completed | publisher = [[Airbus|Airbus S.A.S.]] | date = [[28 September]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_09_28_vortex_study.html | accessdate = 2006-09-30 }}</ref>

In [[2005]], the [[International Civil Aviation Organization]] recommended that provisional separation criteria for the A380 be substantially greater than for the 747 because preliminary [[flight test]] data suggested a stronger wake than the 747.<ref name="icao_wake_guidance">{{cite web | title = Guidance material in regard to wake vortex aspects of A380 aircraft | publisher = [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] | date = June [[2006]] | url = http://www.icao.int/icao/en/ro/apac/2006/RASMAG5/ip02.pdf | accessdate = 2006-09-30 }}</ref> These criteria were in effect while the A380 Wake Vortex Steering Group, with representatives from the [[Joint Aviation Authorities|JAA]], [[Eurocontrol]], the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] and [[Airbus]], refined its 3-year study of the issue with additional [[flight testing]]. In September 2006, the working group presented its conclusions to the ICAO, which is expected to issue final guidance on the issue in November [[2006]].

The working group concluded that an aircraft trailing an A380 during approach needs to maintain a separation of 6&nbsp;[[nautical mile|nm]], 8&nbsp;nm and 10&nbsp;nm respectively for ICAO "Heavy", "Medium" and "Light" aircraft categories, instead of the traditional 4&nbsp;nm, 5&nbsp;nm and 6&nbsp;nm spacing. However, the working group found no need to limit the A380's trailing distance behind another aircraft, potentially making up for some of the increased spacing behind the A380.<ref name="vortex_study" /> On departure behind an A380, the working group concluded that "Heavy" aircraft are required to wait two minutes, and "Medium"/"Light" aircraft three minutes for time based operations. Finally, the working group did not recommend any restrictions on vertical or horizontal separation criteria during cruise.

===Wing strength===
During the destructive wing strength certification test, the test wing of the A380 failed to meet the certification requirement of 150% of limit load.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ainonline.com/Publications/asian/asian_06/d1airbus53.htm | title=Airbus thinks it has overcome A380 structural failure | date=[[21 February]] [[2006]] | publisher=Aviation International News}}</ref> Limit load is the maximum load expected during operation in the design life of an aircraft. The test wing buckled between the inboard and outboard engines at 147% of limit load, as the wing tip reached a vertical deflection of 7.4&nbsp;m (24.3&nbsp;ft). Airbus initially stated that the test article represented an early design, and that the load requirement would be verified by analysis of changes already made. Subsequently, however, Airbus announced that modifications adding 30&nbsp;kg to the wing would be made to provide the required strength.

===Cabin pressurization===
[[Joseph Mangan]], a former employee of [[TTTech]], has claimed the microprocessors produced by TTTech for the A380 are severely flawed.<ref name="st_20051002">"[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002534201_airbuswhistleblower02.html A380 jet flawed, fired worker alleges]." Pae, P. ''[[The Seattle Times]]''. [[2 October]] [[2005]].</ref> The microchips control the A380's cabin pressurization system; Mangan has stated that the combination of TTTech's microprocessor and a new architecture of valves could cause the A380 to undergo [[rapid decompression]]. This sudden drop in cabin pressure could cause the flight crew to lose consciousness and jeopardize safe flight. This allegation has been strongly rejected by both TTTech<ref name="ttech_denial">"[http://www.tttech.com/press/docs/pressreleases/PR_2005-10-06-TTTech-Statement.pdf TTTech defends against false allegations.]" Official TTTech press release. [[6 October]] [[2005]].</ref> and Airbus parent [[EADS]]. Boeing has also said it is unaware of any problems with TTTech's chips.<ref name="lat_20050927">"[http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-whistleblower27sep27,0,7486292.story?track=tottext A Skeptic Under Pressure]." Pae, P. ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]''. [[27 September]] [[2005]].</ref> An [[Austria|Austrian]] court has fined Mr. Mangan for violating its preliminary injunction against discussing his allegations pending court cases.

==Specifications==
[[Image:Giant planes comparison.svg|thumb|right|A size comparison between four of the largest aircraft. Click to enlarge.]]
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Measurement
!A380-800
!A380F
|-
|Cockpit crew || align="center" colspan=2 | Two
|-
|Seating capacity || align="center" | 555 (3-class) || align="center" | 12 couriers
|-
|Length || align="center" colspan=2 | 73 m (239 ft 6 in)
|-
|Span || align="center" colspan=2 | 79.8 m (261 ft 10 in)
|-
|Height || align="center" colspan=2 | 24.1 m (79 ft 1 in)
|-
|Wheelbase || align="center" colspan=2 | 30.4 m (99 ft 8 in)
|-
|Outside fuselage width || align="center" colspan=2 | 7.14 m (23 ft 6 in)
|-
|Floor width, main deck || align="center" colspan=2 | 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in)
|-
|Floor width, upper deck || align="center" colspan=2 | 5.28 m (17 ft 4 in)
|-
|Wing area || align="center" colspan=2 | 845 m² (9,100 ft²)
|-
|Operating empty weight || align="center" | 276,800 kg (610,200 lb)|| align="center" | 252,200 kg (556,000 lb)
|-
|Maximum take-off weight || align="center" | 560,000 kg (1,235,000 lb) || align="center" | 590,000 kg (1,300,000 lb)
|-
|Maximum payload || align="center" | 90,800 kg (200,000 lb) || align="center" | 152,400 kg (336,000 lb)
|-
|Cruising speed || align="center" colspan=2 | 0.85 Mach
|-
|Maximum speed || align="center" colspan=2 | 0.89 Mach
|-
|Range at design load || align="center" | 15,000 km (8,000 nm) || align="center" | 10,400 km (5,600 nm)
|-
|Maximum fuel capacity || align="center" | 310,000 L (81,890 US gal) || align="center" | 310,000 L (81,890 US gal),<br>356,000 L (94,000 US gal) option
|-
|Engines (4 x) || align="center" | GP7270 <br> Trent 970 || align="center" | GP7277 <br> Trent 977
|}

==Trivia==
* The A380 was nicknamed '''"Megaliner"''' during early development within Airbus.
* Each A380 contains 530&nbsp;kilometres (330&nbsp;miles) of cables, 100,000 wires, and 40,300 connectors.
* Acclaimed film director [[Martin Scorsese]] is making a documentary film about the creation of the A380.
* The fictional aircraft (the '''E-474''') in the 2005 film ''[[Flightplan]]'' clearly resembles an A380.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
<!--Please try to keep this a best-of list, short and high quality-->
*[http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a380/ Official Airbus A380 site]
**[http://events.airbus.com/A380/Default1.aspx Airbus A380 Navigator]
**{{PDFlink|[http://www.content.airbusworld.com/SITES/Technical_Data/docs/AC/DATA_CONSULT/AC_A380.pdf A380 Airport Compatibility Guide]}} (Technical data, 11.3 Mb)
*[http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/04/20/Navigation/177/205274/Everything+about+A380.html Everything About the A380] at Flight Global
**{{PDFlink|[http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=9139 Special Report on the A380]}} (1.58 Mb)
**[http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?itemid=9140 A380 cutaway diagram]
*A380 photos at [http://www.airbus.com/en/myairbus/multimedialibrary/search_mmlib.jsp?year=&month=&category_1=PHOTOGRAPHY&category_2=PHOTOGRAPHY%23PRODUCTS%23A380&keyword=&words=+AND+airbus%3A%22mmcategory_PHOTOGRAPHY%23PRODUCTS%23A380%22+AND+airbus%3A%22templatetype_mmlib%22&category=PHOTOGRAPHY%23PRODUCTS%23A380&searchType=PHOTOGRAPHY&hitsPerPage=10&hitsPerSite=0&menuFlashIndex=1&x=12&y=8 Airbus], [http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=Airbus%20A380&distinct_entry=true Airliners.net], [http://www.planepictures.net/netsearch4.cgi?srch=Airbus+A380-&stype=actype&srng=1 PlanePictures.net], [http://www.futura-sciences.com/communiquer/g/showgallery.php/cat/547 Futura Sciences], [http://www.myaviation.net/search/search.php?view=&aircraft=Airbus%20A380-800 MyAviation.net], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/business_a380_makes_air_show_debut/html/1.stm BBC News], and [http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=Airbus+A380&spell=1 Google].
*A380 videos at [http://www.airbus.com/en/myairbus/multimedialibrary/search_mmlib.jsp?year=&month=&category_1=VIDEO&category_2=VIDEO%23PRODUCTS%23A380&searchType=VIDEO&menuFlashIndex=2&keyword=&words=+AND+airbus%3A%22mmcategory_VIDEO%23PRODUCTS%23A380%22+AND+airbus%3A%22templatetype_mmlib%22&category=VIDEO%23PRODUCTS%23A380&hitsPerPage=10&hitsPerSite=0&x=14&y=4 Airbus], [http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=a380 Google Video] or [http://www.flightlevel350.com FlightLevel350.com] <!-- Please do not link to YouTube -->
*A380 overviews and technical data at [http://www.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=29 Airliners.net], [http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/a380/ Aerospace-Techonology.com] and [http://www.aerospaceweb.org/aircraft/jetliner/a380/ Aerospaceweb.org]
*[http://www.plane-spotters.net/Production_List/Airbus/A380/index.html A380 production list] at Plane-spotters.net
*[http://www.a380Portal.com Airbus A380 Portal] at A380Portal.com
*[http://travel.howstuffworks.com/a380.htm How the Airbus A380 Works] at HowStuffWorks.com
*[http://www.a380.singaporeair.com Singapore Airlines' ''First To Fly The A380'' Website]
*[http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/11/business/airbus.php''The Airbus Saga - Herald Tribune']

== Media ==
{{commons|Airbus A380}}
{{Video|filename=A380 takeoff.ogg|title=Airbus A380 rolling to runway|description=The footage shows the Airbus A380 rolling to the runway during its first flight|format=[[Ogg]]}}

=== Gallery ===
{| align="center"
|[[Image:AirbusRedArrowsFarnborough2.jpg|thumb|200px|With the [[Red Arrows]] at Farnborough, 2006]]
|[[Image:Farnborough air show 2006 a380 landing.jpg|thumb|200px|Landing at Farnborough, 2006]]
|[[Image:Airbus380JM4.jpg|thumb|200px|Overflight showing gear deployment, Farnborough 2006]]
|-
|[[Image:airbus_a380_fb06rs.jpg|thumb|200px|Airbus A380 F-WWOW (MSN 001) performing a display flight at Farnborough, 2006]]
|[[Image:Airbus380JM2.jpg|thumb|200px|Banked turn, Farnborough 2006]]
|[[Image:Airbus380JM1.jpg|thumb|200px|Take-off, Farnborough 2006]]
|}

==See also==
{{aircontent|
|related=
* [[Airbus A350]]

|similar aircraft=
* [[Boeing 747]]
* [[Antonov An-124]]
* [[Antonov An-225]]
* [[C-5 Galaxy]]

|lists=
*[[List of airliners]]
*[[List of civil aircraft]]
{{Airbus aircraft}}
{{Giant aircraft}}
| see also=
}}

[[Category:International airliners 2000-2009]]
[[Category:World record holders]]
[[Category:Airbus aircraft]]
[[Category:Jet aircraft]]

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Revision as of 04:25, 22 January 2007

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