Airbus A380 Completes First Commercial Flight

The world's largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380, has completed its first commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney.

Manufactured by Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS, the Airbus A380 is a double-deck, four-engine aircraft, capable of carrying up to 853 passengers in full economy configuration.

The aircraft was officially launched by Singapore Airlines chief Choo Choon Seng in a pre-flight ceremony at Changi Airport earlier today.

Upon landing at Sydney Airport air traffic controllers provided spectators with a running commentary, describing the plane as "the big fella".

Singapore Airlines will operate Airbus A380 flights between Singapore and Sydney.

The airline is due to receive six more A380s next year which will initially be used to fly between London and Singapore, followed by routes to Tokyo, Hong Kong and San Francisco.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh