An Airbus A380 flown by Korean Airlines arrives at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday to a spectacular water cannon salute. The airport held a ceremony to welcome the world's largest airliner, which began nonstop service between Atlanta and Seoul this week.
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Busiest airport welcomes biggest airliner —
The gigantic, four-engine, double-decker airliner has been in service around the world for six years, but has been too big for Atlanta's airport -- until now. Last year, some 95 million passengers passed through the airport, making it the busiest in the world.
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Officials from Korean Airlines, the City of Atlanta, and the airport cut a ribbon to inaugurate the A380 service. The airport spent about $30 million in modifications to make room for the giant plane. Atlanta is now the seventh U.S. airport that can accommodate the Superjumbo.
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Korean Airlines flight attendants prepare for the return flight to Seoul in one of the A380's galleys.
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Busiest airport welcomes biggest airliner —
The A380 is the only airliner with double-decker floors from front to back. Passengers take this stairway near the front of the aircraft to the business class section on level two.
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The airline has chosen a roomy seating configuration for the A380. It seats a maximum of 407 passengers -- fewer than any other A380 operator, according to Korean Airlines.
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First-class passengers aboard Korean Airlines' A380 have access to these spacious compartments featuring added privacy and lie-flat seats, which certainly will come in handy during a trans-Pacific flight that lasts around 13 hours.
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The Korean Airlines A380 boasts a lounge area that entices passengers to spread out and relax.
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The plane boasts 16 passenger doors.
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Convenient power and data ports have been inserted between the seats.
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The upper deck of the A380 is entirely devoted to business class passengers. Amenities include adjustable reading lights between the seats.
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Passengers can enjoy breathtaking high-altitude views through the 220 large windows that dot the cabin.
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Busiest airport welcomes biggest airliner —
It takes two jetways to get hundreds of passengers on and off an A380 safely and quickly. Atlanta spent time and money modifying Gate E3. Additional modified jetways for the Superjumbo may come later.
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The A380 departs Friday on its return trip to Seoul. Korean Airlines offers this nonstop A380 route three times a week.
