First passenger Airbus A380 to arrive today

© Airbus

The UK's first Airbus A380 used for passenger service is scheduled to fly into Heathrow Airport today (Tuesday, March 18).

The Singapore Airlines flight will be managed by British Airways, which is preparing for the delivery of its own fleet of 12 double-decker A380s from April 2012.

Virgin Atlantic has also ordered 13 A380s, to arrive in 2013.

Onboard Flight SQ308, due to arrive at Heathrow at 3.15pm, will be 470 passengers.

Robert Boyle, British Airways' Commercial Director, said: "Just as Terminal 5 enables us to improve the customer experience on the ground, the A380 will give us the opportunity to raise standards in all cabins.

"We see the A380 as a catalyst for change, and our goal will be to offer the very best of onboard hospitality and overall journey experience."

The A380 is expected to be a much quieter aircraft and is rated as producing only a quarter of the noise level of the Boeing 747-400 under the Heathrow noise classification system.

© Adfero Ltd