Super-jumbo aviation arrived in the UK yesterday with the delivery to Heathrow of British Airways' first A380. 

The airline is the first UK carrier to take delivery of the double-decker, which is the world's largest commercial jet. British Airways is also the first airline in Europe to operate both the A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first two of which landed at Heathrow last week. 

Keith Williams, British Airways' CEO, said: "We are delighted to welcome the first of our A380s to the fleet, joining our new 787s. 

"These aircraft are the start of a new era for British Airways. Over the next 15 months, we will take delivery of new aircraft at the rate of one a fortnight as we put ourselves at the forefront of modern aviation.

"The A380 is a fantastic aircraft and an excellent showpiece for British engineering. Our customers are going to love the space, light and comfort on board."

British Airways' A380s will accommodate 469 customers across four cabins. Customers in First will be seated at the front of the main deck. The cabin will offer 14 seats and is evolved from the current First class with 30 per cent more personal space and 60 per cent more personal stowage. 

Club World (business class) customers can choose from 44 seats on the main deck, or 53 seats on the upper deck. These upper deck seats will feature a new 2:3:2 configuration across the cabin. The 55 World Traveller Plus (premier economy) seats will be located on the upper deck while World Traveller (economy) customers can choose seats on both the main and upper deck. Customers travelling in both World Traveller and World Traveller Plus will be able to enjoy the new cabins and seats that have proved so popular on our 777-300ER fleet.

The aircraft's innovative design makes it much quieter during take-off and landing and 16 per cent more fuel efficient than a Boeing 747.  British Airways has ordered 12 A380s for delivery by 2016. Three will arrive this year followed by a further five in 2014. 

Both aircraft types will now begin a complex 'entry into service' programme, which will see pilot and cabin crew training taking place at Manston Airport in Kent, customer service trials at Heathrow and short-haul flying for both aircraft, including flights within the UK. 

The airline's website, http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/flight-information/airbus-a380 features information on the new aircraft, including computer generated imagery (CGI). Two short films are also available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgN3NAxxWsg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5fSLrVzpxg to give customers a feel for the aircraft. 

Notes to editors: 

Images and moving footage:

·       Prepared footage will be available from 12noon, for free download at ftp://ftp.baplc.com. Username and password: imcomms. 

For further media information please contact:

Andrew Baber
Fleishman-Hillard                   

P: (02) 9025 9286

E: andrew.baber@fleishman.com.au

About British Airways

• British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 150 destinations in 75 countries
• British Airways operates a daily flight from Sydney to London via Singapore's Changi Airport, the World's Best Airport as announced at the 2013 World Airport Awards
• British Airways operates 14 return services per week between Hong Kong and London
• British Airways operates 14 return services per week between Singapore and London
• British Airways operates a daily return service between Bangkok and London
• In August 2009, British Airways celebrated its 90th anniversary. The airline has carried more than 1.2 billion customers on its extensive network and is recognised as one of the world's elite carriers
• British Airways is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying approximately 36 million customers around the world every year
• British Airways has been operating in Australia for 77 years
• Australian flights operate from the multi-million pound refurbished Terminal 5, British Airways' home at Heathrow that is capable of handling 30 million customers a year
• In September 2012, British Airways was recognised as "Best Airline" by readers of Business Traveller. The airline also took home "Best Business Class" and "Best Frequent Flyer Programme"
• In May 2013, Heathrow T5 was ranked by Skytrax as the World's Best Airport Terminal for the second year running, based on surveys of 12 million frequent travellers. T5 also won the World's Best Airport Shopping award