Airbus A380 ends Boeing's reign

ON BOARD FLIGHT SQ380 - The world's largest jetliner made aviation history yesterday, completing its first commercial flight from Singapore to Sydney with 455 passengers, some of them in luxury suites and double beds.

The Airbus superjumbo lifted off from Changi Airport and landed about seven hours later. Also aboard was a crew of about 30, including four pilots.

Flight attendants handed out champagne and certificates to passengers, some of whom paid tens of thousands of dollars in an online auction for seats.

"I have never been in anything like this in the air before in my life," said Australian Tony Elwood, reclining with his wife, Julie, on the double bed in their private first-class suite.

The double-decker A380 ends the nearly 37-year reign of Boeing's 747 as the most spacious passenger plane. Its European manufacturer, Airbus SAS, says the A380 is the most fuel efficient and quietest passenger jet ever.

The A380 - as tall as a seven-story building with each wing big enough to hold 70 cars - is capable of carrying 853 passengers in an all-economy class configuration. However, Singapore Airlines opted for 471 seats in three classes.