An Airbus A380, the world s largest passenger aircraft, piloted by Qantas Airways landed at LAX on Wednesday. A $1.2 billion expansion, which includes plans for a new terminal designed to handle 10 of the super jumbo jets, has been approved and could be completed by 2012. (Brad Graverson / Staff photographer)
With a loud roar, a puff of white smoke and a slight wobble, the Airbus A380 arrived Wednesday for a second visit to Los Angeles International Airport.
The world's largest passenger aircraft touched down at 11:47 a.m. and was greeted by a few dozen reporters and a small army of airport police officers gathered on the south airfield.
"I looked across the cabin to downtown L.A., but to be honest, I had to concentrate more on doing what I had to do, which is putting the plane safely and smoothly down on the ground," said Capt. Murray Crockett, the first Qantas Airways pilot to fly the A380.
"It's probably easier to fly than a lot of other aircraft I fly because the controls are very direct, it's very responsive and it does anything you would like to do in an airplane. It's an absolute delight to fly."
The decked-out A380 that came into LAX on Wednesday was a far cry from the simple, hollowed-out cargo model that made its first appearance at LAX last March.
Although the gigantic aircraft could potentially hold more than 850 economy-class passengers, this particular A380 model was configured to hold 523 seats in first, businesses and economy classes, according to Airbus officials.
"We think the A380 sets a new standard in aviation ... it's a big deal," Allan McArtor, chairman of Airbus North America, said after he stepped off the plane.
About 400 invited guests toured the A380 Wednesday afternoon. Some played with the electronic controls that made the 12 first-class seats recline into a bed. Some agreed that the scant amount of leg room offered in the plane's economy class was no different than other airplanes.
Others, including Madeleine Mesinger, a 12-year-old student pilot at Orville Wright Magnet Middle School in Westchester, marveled that the A380's tiny cockpit could maneuver a behemoth aircraft.
"There's just so much technology in there," said Mesinger, who has flown a Comanche-model airplane. "It's a little more complicated, but maybe I'll learn how to fly it someday."
Some chuckled at the windows that were available in a few of the lavatories, providing passengers with a restroom with a view. A few people stood by a small bar at the center of the plane, hoping to find some libations.
Robert Sharp, 12, was in awe of the A380's double-decker cabin and walked up and down the purple-carpeted staircase a few times.
"This plane is huge, I'm surprised it can even fly," said Sharp, also a student pilot at Wright Middle School. "I mean, it's a two-story plane. I've never seen that."
Despite the luxurious display, the A380 could still be spruced up further. Airline companies purchasing the A380 will be able to show their creativity by adding such accommodations as private cabins, shops and wide social lounges, according to Airbus officials.
The A380 made its first commercial flight with 455 passengers last month from Singapore to Sydney - nearly two years later than Airbus executives had planned.
The plane's visit to LAX this time around is aimed at showing off its capabilities to politicians, the press and potential passengers. Qantas Airlines will the first to offer local A380 service in October 2008, with flights from LAX to Australia.
So far, Airbus has orders for 165 A380s, which cost about $300 million a piece.
"You're going to see a lot of this airplane here in Los Angeles because this airport is going through extraordinary measures to prepare itself for the next century of flight," McArtor said, adding that LAX will be among 60 airports worldwide that will be ready to handle the A380.
To better prepare for the arrival of the A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Los Angeles City Council signed off on a $1.2 billion plan in August to build the Midfield Concourse adjacent to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Plans call for building up to 10 new gates large enough to handle the super jumbo jets by 2012.
"There's no question about the fact that LAX has struggled over the last two decades in modernizing this airport," McArtor said. "But they understand the economic impact of this airport ... and the need to create an environment that will attract the airlines to fly this new airplane."

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