British Airways takes delivery of its first A380 aircraft

British Airways announced (04-Jul-2013) it took delivery of its first A380 aircraft with the aircraft's arrival at London Heathrow Airport on 04-Jul-2013. British Airways CEO Keith Williams welcomed the A380 which is joining the airline's new fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft. Mr Williams said, "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 airline is now the first European airline to operate both the A380 and 787, which it took delivery of on 27-Jun-2013. British Airways' A380s will be configured with 469 seats across four cabins. The airline selected Rolls-Royce's Trent 900 engines to power its A380 aircraft. British Airways expects the aircraft to aid its expansion at London Heathrow with Mr Williams, quoted by Financial Times, stating, "When we had the A380 order we did have in mind the fact that reducing the noise footprint at Heathrow in particular was important.... I think it does help the case for expansion". Prior to entering the aircraft into long-haul service to Los Angeles from 24-Sep-2013, British Airways plans to operate familiarisation services from London Heathrow to Frankfurt according to Australian Business Traveller. Meanwhile the airline will operate similar familiarisation services with its 787 aircraft between London Heathrow and Stockholm Arlanda. [more - original PR - British Airways] [more - original PR - Airbus] [more - original PR - Airbus II] [more - original PR - Rolls-Royce]