Qantas Airlines receives its first Airbus A380 aircraft

The Australian national carrier takes delivery of the first of its double-decker airliners in Toulouse, France, today. The aircraft arrives in Sydney tomorrow and will go into scheduled service on October 20 when it flies from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Qantas will be the first airline to fly the world's biggest airliner - the giant Airbus A380 - to New Zealand next month, beating Dubai's Emirates Airline to the punch in a promotional one-off.

Emirates says it will fly the A380 on the trans-Tasman Auckland route from February, as an extension of its service from Dubai, as it does with its other long-haul aircraft now.

But Qantas says it will make a one-off promotional visit to Auckland about a week before it goes into service. It has no plans for a scheduled service from New Zealand. A select group of frequent fliers, VIPs and media are expected to be treated to a short joyride.

Auckland International Airport has spent millions preparing for the A380, including widening the runway and taxiways, and new airbridges. Qantas has ordered a fleet of 20 of the aircraft, second to Emirates' 58. Singapore already has five of the 19 it ordered.

Qantas had been due to receive its first plane nearly two years ago, but major design and production issues, largely relating to electrical wiring, have beset the jet.

The airline has received more than $200 million in compensation for the delay that has also handed an advantage to arch-rival Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines was the first to put the A380 into commercial service in October last year, flying from Qantas' home turf of Sydney to London.

Emirates received its first aircraft last month. Qantas expects to receive another two aircraft this year and will compete directly with Singapore for A380 passengers on the so-called kangaroo route between Sydney and London from January 16.

The A380 is the first of a new generation of aircraft that are substantially quieter and more fuel-efficient. It also promised to usher in a new age of luxurious flying, for the well-heeled at least, with bars, lounges and even shops.

Both Singapore Airlines and Emirates took advantage of the extra space available by equipping their jets with personal cabins for first-class passengers and an enhanced business class. Emirates has even installed showers and a bar for its premium passengers. But those in economy have to make do with a few more entertainment options and the much quieter cabin that the A380 offers.

The interior of the Qantas plane is more standard, with a total of 450 passengers having the choice of four classes: first, business, premium economy and economy.

While most of the frills have been lavished on first class a few features have been added that should bring a smile to the faces of economy passengers.

There are four free self-service snack and drinks bars, and, to improve sleeping comfort, a foot net folds down from the seatback in front, replacing the traditional hard footrest.

Qantas has also put 39 fewer seats on its behemoth than Emirates, while Singapore has room for 471, all well below the 525 passengers Airbus uses for marketing purposes.

Economy passengers are seated behind first-class passengers on the main deck. Business class and premium economy occupy the upper deck. Business passengers also have a separate lounge