The BelugaXL flew to Airbus’ industrial facility in Bremen, German to undergo a number of tests before the airlifter begins operations at the end of 2019; on its way, the aircraft performed a fly-past of the Airbus site in Hamburg, Germany and overflew Airbus’ plant in the German city of Stade.

The new-generation BelugaXL airlifter landed at Bremen, Germany – one of the Airbus assembly network facilities it will serve after entering service

The no.1 BelugaXL taxis in at Airbus’ Bremen, Germany facility on 14 November 2018 during its first arrival at the industrial site

At 63 metres in length, the “smiling” BelugaXL is about seven metres longer than the previous-generation airlifters of its kind currently in service with Airbus – the Beluga ST

Airbus’ no. 1 BelugaXL airlifter lands at the company’s Bremen, Germany industrial facility, where it will perform loading and unloading tests as part of the airlifter’s validation and certification process

On its way to Bremen, Germany for its first visit, the no.1 BelugaXL performed a fly-past of Airbus’ facility in Hamburg – which will be an integral part of its airlift rotations once in service; the aircraft also overflew the Airbus plant in Stade

While at Airbus’ Bremen, Germany facility, the BelugaXL will perform loading and unloading tests as part of its validation and certification procedure

Airbus’ oversize freighter Beluga on the runway

The BelugaXL’s maiden flight – which began and concluded at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport on 19 July 2018 – initiated a certification campaign that will lead to this next-generation oversize airlifter’s service entry in 2019

Preparing for the BelugaXL first flight is Laurent Lapierre, Flight Test Engineer

Inside the cockpit for Airbus’ BelugaXL maiden flight – which kicked off this oversize airlifter’s certification campaign – are experimental test pilots Christophe Cail and Bernardo Saez Benito (left to right), Jean Michel Pin, Test Flight Engineer seated behind them

The BelugaXL’s maiden flight test crew makes its way to the oversize airlifter following the traditional pre-takeoff briefing; shown wearing orange flight suits from left to right are: Experimental Test Pilot Bernardo Saez Benito; Test Flight Engineer Jean-Michel Pin; Flight Test Engineer Laurent Lapierre; Flight Test Engineer Philippe Foucault; and Christophe Cail, Airbus Chief Test Pilot

Flight test BelugaXL badge

BelugaXL MSN1824 rolling out of Paint Shop The first BelugaXL oversize cargo airlifter shows off its special Beluga whale-inspired livery, which was selected by Airbus employees, after rolling out of paint shop.

The no. 1 BelugaXL oversize cargo airlifter received its distinctive livery at the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, France

Derived from the freighter version of Airbus’ A330-200 jetliner, the BelugaXL is six metres longer, one metre wider and has a payload lifting capacity four-tonnes-greater than the current Beluga A300-600ST

Airbus’ BelugaXL became even more recognisable with the addition of beluga whale-inspired eyes and an enthusiastic grin to its distinctly-shaped airframe

BelugaXL MSN1824 rolling out of Paint Shop The first BelugaXL oversize cargo airlifter shows off its special Beluga whale-inspired livery, which was selected by Airbus employees, after rolling out of paint shop.

The BelugaXL was launched in November 2014 to address the transport and ramp-up capacity requirements for Airbus beyond 2019

The BelugaXL’s distinctive paint scheme, which features beluga whale-inspired eyes and an enthusiastic grin, was selected by Airbus employees in a company-wide vote