The world’s largest passenger aircraft flew into YVR for the first time on Sunday, kicking off a new summer, daily service between London and Vancouver.
Vancouver International welcomed the British Airways’ inaugural A380 flight on their existing London Heathrow to YVR route.
Measuring 73 metres-long and with a wingspan of 80 metres, the 469-passenger A380 is striking in size with its double deck which runs length of the fuselage.
“This is a big day at YVR,” said Craig Richmond, president and CEO of the Vancouver Airport Authority (VAA).
“Choosing Vancouver as their first Canadian destination to be served by an A380 is a testament to British Airways’ support of YVR as a world class hub airport.
“This new aircraft will stimulate the market and increase tourism opportunities across British Columbia.”
YVR has been A380-ready since 2006 when the aircraft touched down in Vancouver as part of a global test-flight schedule.
The new service signifies British Airways’ (BA) confidence in YVR’s ability to handle and service the aircraft and in the city’s ability to support the route. YVR will be the only airport in Western Canada to welcome scheduled service from the superjumbo.
Robert Antoniuk, British Airways’ vice president of customer service, North America West, told how BA has been flying to Vancouver and British Columbia for more than 30 years.
“I know our customers will really enjoy our latest cabins along with a great entertainment system, offering plenty of options while enjoying a true British experience,” added Antoniuk.
BA’s A380 can accommodate up to 469 passengers in four cabins across two full decks. The A380 is optimized for wellness, with quiet, spacious cabins and an advanced cabin air conditioning system with 15 different zones and cabin air that is changed every three minutes.
The BA A380 will depart YVR at 8:45 p.m. as BA84 and arrive at Heathrow at 2 p.m. the next day. For return flights, BA85 will leave London Heathrow daily at 5:15 p.m. and arrive at YVR at 6:40 p.m. The daily A380 service will replace the double daily flights that BA was serving using a Boeing 747-400.
