Massive plane debuts with giant smile

The Airbus Beluga XL, a new generation of super-transporter sporting a bigger “bubble” than its Beluga ST predecessor, is undergoing test flights ahead of its planned entry into service in 2019

Beluga XL A330-700L
(baseline A330-200 airliner)

Plane named after bulbous-headed beluga whale

Rolls-Royce  Trent 700 engines

Beluga XL measures six metres longer and one metre wider than predecessor, offering 30% more capacity

Beluga ST
44.8m
Fuselage diameter: 7.4m
56.1m
Payload: 47 tonnes

Beluga XL 
Diameter: 8.8m
63.1m 
60.3m
Payload: 53 tonnes

Capacity: Beluga XL is big enough to carry both wings of Airbus A350 simultaneously, from manufacturing sites across Europe to final assembly lines in Germany, France and China

Giant cargo door allows aircraft to be loaded from front

Boeing Dreamlifter:
Based on 747-400. Enlarged fuselage offers more space overall, but XL’s wider cross section allows it to carry bigger components 


Sources: Airbus, Boeing      Picture: Associated Press    © GRAPHIC NEWS