World's biggest passenger airliner lands in London

LONDON — The world's biggest passenger airliner — the Airbus A380 — landed at Europe's busiest airport today to test whether London's Heathrow is ready for it.

Two British flags hung from the plane's cockpit windows as the superjumbo jet taxied toward the terminal. A phalanx of media, corporate guests, and curious plane-spotters gathered at Heathrow for the arrival of the 555-seat aircraft.

The European-made A380 will stay at Heathrow for airport-compatibility tests before returning to Berlin early Friday, where the double-decker aircraft is being showcased at the Berlin Air Show.

Heathrow airport is spending about $850 million to upgrade the airport to accommodate the A380 and other anticipated ultra-large aircraft of the future. Other work has included runway resurfacing, upgrading runway lighting and the construction of new taxiways. New, larger baggage carousels also have been installed at Terminal 3.

Toulouse, France-based Airbus has so far taken 159 firm orders from 16 airlines and freight companies for the A380, with dozens more on option. Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to put the plane into passenger service, likely in December.

The A380 will overtake Boeing Co.'s 747 as the world's largest commercial jet when it enters service. Boeing announced late last year that it is launching the 747-8, a more fuel-efficient version of its double-decker plane, to compete with the A380.