<strong>Airbus A300: </strong>On May 29, 1969, the Airbus A300 program was launched. It was to be the first product of the company we know today as Airbus. Click through the gallery to see more photos of the game-changing airplane through the years:
Airbus A300: On May 29, 1969, the Airbus A300 program was launched. It was to be the first product of the company we know today as Airbus. Click through the gallery to see more photos of the game-changing airplane through the years:
Courtesy Airbus
<strong>Wide body, twin-engines:</strong> It was the world's first wide body, twin-engine jetliner.
Wide body, twin-engines: It was the world's first wide body, twin-engine jetliner.
Courtesy Airbus
<strong>Airbus A300:</strong> The plane that launched an aviation empire
Airbus A300: The plane that launched an aviation empire
Courtesy Airbus
<strong>Air France: </strong>The plane went into service in 1974, with Air France as its first customer.
Air France: The plane went into service in 1974, with Air France as its first customer.
STRINGER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Eastern Airlines: </strong>Sales got off to a slow start, but after a landmark deal with Eastern Airlines -- CEO Frank Borman is pictured center -- the future of Airbus was secured.
Eastern Airlines: Sales got off to a slow start, but after a landmark deal with Eastern Airlines -- CEO Frank Borman is pictured center -- the future of Airbus was secured.
Courtesy Airbus
<strong>A310: </strong>The family expanded in 1982, with the addition of the Airbus A310.
A310: The family expanded in 1982, with the addition of the Airbus A310.
Courtesy Airbus
<strong>A300 Zero-G:</strong> The A300 Zero-G is a reduced-gravity aircraft, used for training astronauts.
A300 Zero-G: The A300 Zero-G is a reduced-gravity aircraft, used for training astronauts.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Beluga:</strong> The Airbus Beluga A300-600ST performed its first flight on September 13, 1994, and subsequently entered service in January 1996.
Beluga: The Airbus Beluga A300-600ST performed its first flight on September 13, 1994, and subsequently entered service in January 1996.
Airbus
<strong>UPS Airlines:</strong> Today, A300s are used primarily as cargo planes, with UPS Airlines one of its biggest operators. UPS is modernizing the cockpits -- here's the "before" picture.
UPS Airlines: Today, A300s are used primarily as cargo planes, with UPS Airlines one of its biggest operators. UPS is modernizing the cockpits -- here's the "before" picture.
Courtesy UPS
<strong>New and improved:</strong> This picture shows the new cockpit of UPS Airlines' A300-600, with new flight management system, GPS navigation system, weather radar and a new integrated ACARS digital communications.
New and improved: This picture shows the new cockpit of UPS Airlines' A300-600, with new flight management system, GPS navigation system, weather radar and a new integrated ACARS digital communications.
Courtesy UPS