Airbus Hopes Lift With A380

Wednesday's flight on the A380 was a contrarian's dream, because much of the aviation world is convinced that the jumbo-sized aircraft is doomed to failure.

Airbus will deliver the plane two years behind schedule. Research and development have consumed about $13 billion. Demand so far is limited to just 156 orders from 14 airlines. Not a single U.S. airline has placed an order.

Yet the reception at New York's Kennedy International Airport, where 200 passengers including 40 reporters took a one-and-a-half hour demonstration flight Wednesday, was positive, even gleeful. Vehicles driving on the airport perimeter sped up to keep pace. Airport workers took photos. Passengers marveled at the airplane's size, the quiet ride and the chance to be aboard a historic flight. ...