X

At Farnborough, Airbus' lightest and heaviest planes (pictures)

The French aircraft maker brought its hulking 550-passenger A380 and its diminutive electric E-Fan to the UK airshow, a major sales event on the aviation industry calendar.

Stephen Shankland
Stephen Shankland worked at CNET from 1998 to 2024 and wrote about processors, digital photography, AI, quantum computing, computer science, materials science, supercomputers, drones, browsers, 3D printing, USB, and new computing technology in general. He has a soft spot in his heart for standards groups and I/O interfaces. His first big scoop was about radioactive cat poop.
Stephen Shankland
An Airbus A380-800 ascends steeply at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.
1 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus A380 ascending

An Airbus A380-800 ascends steeply at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

The Airbus A380 is a massive two-deck aircraft that can hold up to 550 passengers.
2 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Hulking A380 fuselage

The Airbus A380 is a massive two-deck aircraft that can hold up to 550 passengers.

Airbus plans to sell its all-electric E-Fan in 2017 as a training plane. Its engine has 60kW of power, and it'll fly for one hour with 15 minutes after that in reserve.
3 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus electric E-Fan

Airbus plans to sell its all-electric E-Fan in 2017 as a training plane. Its engine has 60kW of power, and it'll fly for one hour with 15 minutes after that in reserve.

The Airbus E-Fan's twin engines are powered by a 120-cell lithium polymer battery.
4 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan propulsion

The Airbus E-Fan's twin engines are powered by a 120-cell lithium polymer battery.

The Airbus E-Fan weighs just 500kg (1,100lbs). It's got a cruising speed of 160kmph (100mph) and a top speed of 220kmph (137mph).
5 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus E-Fan in flight

The Airbus E-Fan weighs just 500kg (1,100lbs). It's got a cruising speed of 160 kmph (100 mph) and a top speed of 220 kmph (137 mph).

​The Airbus A400M, a military transport craft, has four counter-rotating TP400 turboprop engines.
6 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

A400M propellers at Farnborough

The Airbus A400M, a military transport craft, has four counter-rotating TP400 turboprop engines.

The Airbus A400M flies in a steeply banked turn.
7 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

A400M banked turn

The Airbus A400M flies in a steeply banked turn.

​The A400M can carry up to 37 tons of cargo, including trucks or two helicopters. But when it's empty, as in this moment after takeoff over the Farnborough International Airshow, it can ascend steeply.
8 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

A400M after takeoff over Farnborough

The A400M can carry up to 37 tons of cargo, including trucks or two helicopters. But when it's empty, as in this moment after takeoff over the Farnborough International Airshow, it can ascend steeply.

20140715-airbus-atlante-drone-farnborough-001.jpg
9 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus Atlante drone

Airbus got out of the drone market but is re-entering it with this Atlante drone, intended for use in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR). It'll be certified to fly over civilian areas.

The Airbus A350 XWB, able to carry between 300 and 400 passengers, is an energy-efficient model to rival Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.
10 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus A350 XWB at Farnborough

The Airbus A350 XWB, able to carry between 300 and 400 passengers, is an energy-efficient model to rival Boeing's 787 Dreamliner.

The A350 XWB (exra wide body) has upwardly curved "winglets" to improve wing aerodynamics.
11 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus A350 XWB at Farnborough

The A350 XWB (exra wide body) has upwardly curved "winglets" to improve wing aerodynamics. Its fuselage is made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic for lighter weight and therefore better fuel economy.

The DA36 E-Star 2, an two-seat hybrid electric motor aircraft can glide with its propeller stopped, then restart the propeller as it flies.
12 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

DA36 E-Star 2 at Farnborough

The DA36 E-Star 2, a two-seat hybrid electric motor aircraft, can glide with its propeller stopped, then restart the propeller as it flies.

The DA36 E-Star 2, flying here above the Farnborough International Airshow, is a joint project with Airbus, Diamond Aircraft, and Siemens.
13 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

DA36 E-Star 2

The DA36 E-Star 2, flying here above the Farnborough International Airshow, is a joint project with Airbus, Diamond Aircraft, and Siemens.

Four-engine jets are a relative rarity in the skies today. Airbus hopes its newer A380 will eat into the market share of Boeing's decades-old 747.
14 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

A380 banking left

Four-engine jets are a relative rarity in the skies today. Airbus hopes its newer A380 will eat into the market share of Boeing's decades-old 747.

And Airbus A380 begins takeoff at the Farnborough International Airshow.
15 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus A380

And Airbus A380 begins takeoff at the Farnborough International Airshow.

20140715-airbus-a380-800-farnborough-004.jpg
16 of 16 Stephen Shankland/CNET

Airbus A380 lands at Farnborough

Clounds of burnt-rubber smoke appear as an Airbus A380 lands at the Farnborough International Airshow.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos