Airbus Beluga XL Takes To The Skies At Long Last

(Photo Credit: Airbus)

Airbus Beluga XL complete first flight successfully

Airbus Beluga XL is probably one of the aviation world’s most highly anticipated planes, and in some exciting recent developments, it has been announced that the plane has entered full-time service. Its first operational flight was on Jan. 9, 2020.

The Beluga XL is the first of six jumbo passenger planes and comes during a time where Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 are becoming planes of the past. However, people won’t actually get to travel in the Beluga. It will, though, play a crucial role in the construction of many future commercial passenger planes.

This giant transporter cargo plane was designed by Airbus to fly aircraft components between production sites in Europe and final assembly lines in France, Germany, and China.

The plane’s predecessor, the Beluga XL or Airbus A300-600ST, has been in operation since 1995. The design was adapted from an A330 airliner and shaped in a way that represents the shape of a beluga whale. The design more than cute though; it is functional, with the cargo bay large enough to carry two A350 wings in one go while the whale-like noise improves aerodynamic efficiency.

The whimsical design of the plane’s bright-eyed, smiling face was chosen by Airbus staff, with 40 percent choosing the cute face.

By: Maytinee Kramer