The world’s most spacious Airbus A-380 aircraft and the first with a duty free show case was delivered to Korean Air at a simple ceremony here on Tuesday evening. The airline plans to seat 407 passengers in first, business and economy class cabins when the aircraft enters service. Normally, the aircraft can seat up to 550 passengers.

The duty free show case will be on the second floor of the double decker aircraft and will feature an area where various items including cosmetics, perfumes, and liquor will be displayed for passengers to make their pick.

Currently most airlines which offer on-board duty free shopping have the air crew walk up and down the aisle taking orders.

India, however, will have to wait some more time before this aircraft starts flying there. Korean Air officials told Business Line that the airline will not be putting any of the five A-380 aircraft that will join its fleet till the end of this year on the Indian route. The airline has ordered 10 A-380 aircraft with the remaining five being delivered by 2014. At the moment Korean Air operates regular services to Mumbai.

Initially Korean Air plans to launch operations to Tokyo (Narita airport) and then to Hong Kong. Plans are also afoot to operate flights to Bangkok, New York and Los Angeles during the year.

Currently Singapore Airlines, the Dubai based Emirates, Qantas Australian Airlines, German carrier Lufthansa and Air France operate the A-380.

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