British Airways is poised to become the 10th operator of Airbus’ 21st century flagship jetliner following handover of the airline’s no. 1 A380 today

The British carrier – which has 12 A380s on order as part of its long-haul fleet renewal – plans to use its aircraft initially on the London-Los Angeles route, as well as between London and Hong Kong.   Tickets for travel to Los Angeles are on sale from 15 October, and flights to Hong Kong are available for booking from 15 November.

With service from London’s Heathrow Airport, British Airways will become the fifth A380 operator at this facility – the busiest A380 hub in the world – underscoring the jetliner’s capability to maximize revenue and grow traffic for airlines in slot-constrained airports.

This first A380 for British Airways also had a starring role during the recent Paris Air Show in June, exhibited with its distinctive livery in the Le Bourget Airport’s static display area and participating in flying presentations during the event’s initial three days.

Following today’s delivery of the no. 1 aircraft, British Airways is scheduled to receive two more A380s this year – its second in September, and the third in October. The carrier is due to have all of the ordered A380 jetliners in its inventory by the end of 2016.

Airbus has delivered 106 A380s so far to worldwide operators, which have logged over 109,000 revenue flights and carried approximately 40 million passengers since the aircraft entered commercial service in October 2007. On average, an A380 takes off or lands every five minutes around the world.

British Airways is adding the A380 to its fleet as Airbus pursues the latest marketing campaign for this double-deck jetliner.  Named “Own the sky,” the campaign highlights the A380’s central role in helping airlines generate more revenue, stimulate traffic and draw passengers.

The A380 joins British Airways’ substantial Airbus fleet, with the carrier currently operating an inventory of more than 110 single-aisle A320 Family aircraft.

Airbus press release