The new Airbus A380 is the world’s largest passenger jet (image source: Singapore Airlines/CGI).

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of the Airbus A380 – the world’s largest commercial passenger jet, with two floors, private luxury suites and the ability to carry 471 passengers.

After receiving criticism for 18 months of untimely and costly delays, the handover of the jet has taken place in Toulouse, France, the destination of the plane’s final assembly stages. This handover marked the commencement of a $5.7 billion US dollar order placed by Singapore Airlines for 19 of the A380 jets.

The plane caters for three different classes of travellers – Economy, Business and a Cabin Class described as ‘beyond first class’. Cabin Class passengers can use one of the 12 ‘Singapore Airline Suites’, which include a metre-wide seat with a variety of sitting and lounging positions.

Designer sleeping arrangements

Full-sized beds are also available for each Cabin Class passenger – complete with duvet and cushions designed by French designers, Givenchy. There are also two double beds that can be used by couples who are travelling together.

Passengers can also lounge on their beds to watch movies on their personal 23 inch LCD TV screen.

Yap Kim Wah, Senior Vice President for Products and Services at Singapore Airlines, described the service: “Singapore Airlines Suites customers can look forward to a flight with an unprecedented level of personal space, in their very own private cabin in the sky. The exquisite new product offerings, together with the special service from our world-renowned cabin crew, will delight the most discerning of our customers.”

Passengers in Business Class can make their seats lie fully flat, and those in Economy have more leg room and knee room than ever before.

The aircraft will enter commercial service on 25 October 2007 with a special return flight between Singapore and Sydney, Australia. The majority of seats on this special flight were sold at an eBay auction and all proceeds from the sales were split among various charities.

Regular flights are due to be scheduled between Singapore and Sydney towards the end of October 2007, and between Singapore and London at the beginning of 2008.