Video: World’s Largest Commercial Airplane Touches Down in LA, NY

Monday was the first time that America had a chance to see the world’s largest commercial airplane. And when we say “world’s largest”, we mean it, because the Airbus A380 is a superjumbo double-decker plane with a wingspan “almost the length of an American football field.”

The Qantas-operated Airbus A380 arrived at Los Angeles International with just its flight crew and a squad of engineers inside. Seems like a waste of space, since the giant aircraft can seat 555 people. Substantial upgrades — like widening of runways and the provision of special docking equipment — had to be made to JFK International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport to accommodate the larger plane. The total bill for the two airports is about $300 million.