The world's biggest passenger plane, the Airbus A380 superjumbo, has touched down at Heathrow after its first commercial flight to Europe.

The 471 passengers applauded loudly on landing at the west London airport which had spent over £100 million to accommodate the jet which had taken off 14 hours earlier from Singapore's Changi airport.

The Dubai-based carrier Emirates will start A380 services to Heathrow in December and Australian carrier Qantas is also expected to use the superjumbo to fly to London.

In the future, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be flying the A380 at Heathrow, where both Terminal 3 and the new £4.3 billion Terminal 5 can take the new aircraft.

All of those on board were given a certificate with their names on to mark the event, with intrepid traveller Mark Barden, 45, from Southampton possibly the most worthy recipient.

Mr Barden, a male nurse, flew out to Singapore to be on the inaugural flight. After just eight hours in the Far East, he was then flying back for his third A380 trip in two days and was even contemplating going in to work on Thursday.

And Roger and Sue Simpson from Fowey, Cornwall, had expected to be on a conventional jumbo jet but found to their pleasure that their flight had been earmarked as the inaugural A380 European run.

Mr Simpson, 56, a retired environmental manager, said: "This plane is a step in the right direction. It's quiet, less-polluting and roomy."

Passengers sat in three classes - first, which has 12 luxury suites with 23-inch TV and cinema screens and double beds; business, where 60 people can enjoy flat-bed sleeping; and economy where nearly 400 passengers have seat-back screens and more room than rival aircrafts.

The aircraft's huge wings are manufactured in Broughton, North Wales, and Filton, Bristol, while the superjumbo is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

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