Airbus A380 takes flight : Kathika Travel Website

The much-anticipated Airbus A380 lifted up on her first commercial flight last month, when Singapore Airlines flight 380 departed Singapore’s Changi Airport bound for Sydney, Australia.

The double-deck A380 features spacious passenger compartments and is designed to reach Mach 0.85 speed, about 560 mph. The plane is designed to carry a maximum of 525 passengers in a three-cabin configuration, 644 in two cabins, and 853 in a single cabin.

Singapore’s configuration of the plane includes a new class of service, Singapore Airlines Suites, a “class beyond first.” More than a seat, passengers in Singapore Airlines Suites fly in a private cabin, similar to a train compartment. Each cabin is equipped with a 23″ television screen, anl entertainment system, a computer dataport and a full bed.

The majority of the seats on the inaugural flight and its return flight to Singapore were sold on eBay, with the proceeds donated to charities, including Doctors without Borders, the Sydney Children’s Hospital, and the Singapore Community Chest.

A number of other airlines await delivery of A380 aircraft. Next to take delivery are Quantas, Air France and Emirates Airways.

(Photo via flickr cc)