SubscribeThe BAA Aviation Photo Library has a fabulous collection of photos of the Airbus A380.
BAA Heathrow welcomed the world's largest commercial airliner, the Airbus A380, on 18 May 2006, when it made its British debut to carry out airport compatibility checks.
Heathrow Airport, Airbus A380 on stand at T3,
Pier 6 on its British debut for airport compatibility checks.
The Airbus A380 aircraft is designed to carry 555 passengers in a typical seating configuration, including an Economy, a Business and a First class in a typical three-class configuration, and able to fly for almost 15,000 km (8,000 nautical miles) non-stop.
Heathrow Airport, Airbus A380 on stand at T3, Pier 6, detail of nose section.
During its UK visit, BAA and Airbus carried out ground handling and airport compatibility trials, which helped to ensure that everything is ready for the aircraft's entry into service.
Heathrow Airport, Airbus A380 taxiing off the Southern Runway making its way to T3, Pier 6.
The A380 arrived on Heathrow's Southern Runway and parked at Terminal 3, Pier 6 - a new, purpose-built £100 million facility that is a 280 metre long, three-storey-high pier which can accommodate up to four A380s at a time, with four gate rooms which together seat 2,200 passengers.
Heathrow Airport, Airbus A380 on stand at T3, Pier 6.
The BAA Aviation Photo Library is a rights-managed library specialising in airport and aviation photography. It operates as a business-to-business company supplying images for commercial use.
Heathrow Airport, interior of Airbus A380, showing research monitoring equipment.