Airbus superjumbo makes first commercial flight

ABOARD THE AIRBUS A380: Loaded with champagne, caviar and excited passengers from around the world, the biggest airliner ever built took off for Australia on Thursday on its first commercial flight.

The Airbus A380 superjumbo, a gigantic double-decker, left Singapore bound from Sydney, looking to fly into aviation history after months of delays and billions of dollars in cost over-runs.

Travellers on the maiden Singapore Airlines flight bought their seats in an online charity auction, with one Briton paying more than $100,000 to be among the first to fly the largest passenger plane ever constructed.

"It's like a party on board," said top-bidder Julian Hayward, who confessed to being 'pampered and spoiled' in his super-premium seat as flight attendants plied the debut passengers with champagne and caviar.

Singapore Airlines, the launch customer, offered champagne brunch for all 455 aboard as giddy passengers snapped photos, watched by invited journalists who were to give the airline a great first-day publicity boost.

"We are indeed honoured to have you grace the first commercial flight today," Captain Robert Ting said as flight attendants strolled the aisles, handing out hot towels.

"Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight."

The giant plane, so large that 72 cars could fit on each of its wings, can carry up to 853 passengers, but Singapore Airlines (SIA) has opted instead for a more luxurious set-up with a maximum of 471 seats.

Those include 12 'Suites' which have been at the centre of SIA's marketing campaign, compartments featuring a full-length bed behind sliding doors, sheets by French design house Givenchy and flat-screen televisions.