Airbus A380

Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who topped the Forbes Arabia rich list last year, has invested a small piece of his estimated $20.3bn (£9.8bn) fortune in an Airbus A380. Photograph: Francois Mori/AP

The project begins. An artist’s rendition of an Airbus A380 flying over San Francisco. Photograph: Airbus Industries

The front part of the future A380 super jumbo jet is presented at the Airbus plant in Meaulte, northern France, in November 2003. Photograph: Michel Spingler/AP

Airbus workers and guests celebrate the unveiling of the first equipped section of the A380 at the Airbus plant in Hamburg in March 2004. Photograph: Heribert Proepper/AP

At the assembly line in Toulouse, France, in May 2004. Photograph: Remy Gabalda/AP

Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine in production in 2004. Photograph: PR

The inside of an A380 under construction. Photograph: Barbara Sax/Getty

An interior view of the forward upper deck cabin. Photograph: Airbus Industries

Airbus employees throw their caps in the air after the A380’s unveiling ceremony near Toulouse in January 2005. Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Spanish PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac and Germany’s Chancellor at the time, Gerhard Schroeder, attend the official unveiling ceremony for the Airbus A380 in January 2005 near Toulouse. Photograph: Georges Gobet/Getty

The A380 takes its maiden flight over southwestern France on April 27 2005. Photograph: Airbus Industries

The A380 casts a shadow. Photograph: Airbus Industries

Flying over the Airbus plant in Hamburg-Finkenwerder during its first flight in Germany in August 2005. Photograph: Kay Nietfeld/Getty

Watched as it arrives in Hamburg from Toulouse in November 2005. Photograph: Lutz Bongarts/Getty

Over Sydney Harbour, Australia, on November 13 2005. Photograph: Qantas

A380 watched by plane spotters as it comes in on final approach to Heathrow Airport for the first time in May 2006. Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

At London's Heathrow airport in May 2006. Photograph: Carl De Souza/Getty

A stewardess straightens one of two double beds aboard an Airbus A380, as delivery of the world's largest passenger airline was made this week to Singapore Airlines, 18 months behind schedule. (Read the article.) Photograph: Johnny Green/PA

October 25: The inaugural Airbus 380 flight lands in Sydney, carrying 470 passengers. (Read the article). Photograph: EPA