Airbus super jumbo jets through Hong Kong

The world’s largest passenger jet, the new Airbus A380, flew over Hong Kong’s harbour Monday, below the skyline of some of the world’s tallest buildings.

The double-decker plane made the flight across Victoria harbour ahead of the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, and then treated thrilled onlookers with a second fly-past minutes later.

The stunt took place despite the giant plane brushing its wing against an airport hangar in Bangkok Saturday, one of its destinations on an Asian tour to drum up business.

The bump caused slight damage to the tip of the left wing officials said, but the plane was still able to fly on.

The plane was not allowed to fly below 1,000 feet (305 metres) during its fly-pass, Hong Kong aviation authorities had said, but it was still below the top of International Finance Centre Two, Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper.

Crowds gathered at harbour side to watch the flight, which was unusual for Hong Kong as planes are rarely given permission to fly directly through one of the world’s most famous waterways.

“It is huge for one thing,” said one on-looker. “But it is also very quiet. I hope an airline I travel on buys one so I can to fly in it.”
The A380 heads to Seoul on Wednesday on the final stage of its tour.
Airbus now has 173 of the new planes on order from 14 clients. The first delivery, to Singapore Airlines, is due on October 15, and the first commercial flight, between Singapore and Sydney, is scheduled the same day.

The plane is capable of carrying more than 800 passengers in an all economy-class configuration, and 555 in a standard three-class set-up.
Singapore Airlines has configured the plane to seat 471 passengers in three classes.