Airbus has unveiled its twin-deck A380 aircraft, the largest aircraft in the sky, heralded to change the future face of travel.
The first test flight of the A380 will take place in April although Airbus has not yet revealed the exact date.
Some 11 airlines, including Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Malaysian, have ordered the aircraft, which will come into service in 2006.
Built at a cost of £6 billion, Airbus is banking on future demand for large planes offering cheaper seats between the world's major cities.
But its main rival, Boeing, is focusing its future investment on smaller aircraft designed to fly direct to more destinations.
Boeing's new 7E7 'Dreamliner' project, which will enter service in 2008, has already secured orders from Continental Airlines and Japan Airlines.
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