| Airbus BelugaXL | ||
|---|---|---|
 The Beluga XL landing at Chester Hawarden Airport, in 2024 | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Outsize cargo freight aircraft | |
| Crew | 2 | |
| Passengers | 1 | |
| First flight | 19 July 2018 | |
| Entered service | 9 January 2020 | |
| Manufacturer | Airbus | |
| Produced | 6 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 207 ft, 1 in | 63.1 meters |
| Wingspan | 197 ft, 10 in | 60.3 meters |
| Height | 62 ft, 0 in | 18.9 meters |
| Wing area | 3,892 sq ft | 361.6 square meters |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 127.5 tons | |
| Loaded | 227 tons | |
| Maximum takeoff | 227 tons | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | × 2 × Rolls‑Royce Trent 700 turbofan engines | |
| Power (each) | 71,000 lb | 316 kN |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | ||
| Cruising speed | ||
| Range | 4,000 km (51 t) | 2,200 miles |
| Ceiling | ||
| Rate of climb | ||
The Airbus Beluga XL is a highly specialized outsize cargo aircraft developed by Airbus to transport oversized components for its aircraft production process. As the successor to the original Airbus Beluga (A300-600 ST), the Beluga XL boasts improved capacity, efficiency, and range. Designed to meet Airbus' growing logistical needs, the XL began service in January 2020 and has become a vital asset in Airbus' operations.
History[]
The Airbus A330-743L BelugaXL was developed by Airbus to address the transport and production capacity requirements beyond 2019, specifically to replace the original BelugaST fleet. The Airbus A330-200 Freighter was used as the basis for the new type, leveraging existing components and systems. Like its predecessor, it featured a distinctive enlarged upper fuselage and a relocated cockpit section, placed below the forward cargo hold door to facilitate efficient roll-on/roll-off loading of oversized parts. The first flight took place on July 19, 2018. The certification process, which included over 700 flight hours, was completed in November 2019, and led to the first of six examples for Airbus entering service on January 9, 2020. The fleet was completed by the delivery of the sixth example in June 2024. The BelugaXL offers a 30% increase in transport capacity over the original Beluga, allowing it to carry two A350 XWB wings at once.
Design and Features[]
The Beluga XL is based on the Airbus A330-200 platform but includes major structural modifications:
- Enlarged Cargo Hold: The cargo bay is one of the largest in the world, capable of holding two A350 XWB wings simultaneously, compared to one in the previous Beluga.
- Distinctive “Whale” Appearance: Its painted smiling face and “whale” design make it one of the most recognizable aircraft in the skies.
- Advanced Cockpit Position: The lowered cockpit allows for unobstructed cargo loading through the nose of the aircraft.
- High Payload: Can carry up to 51 tonnes of cargo.
- Efficient Engines: Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, providing high performance and fuel efficiency.
Operational Use[]
The Beluga XL is exclusively used by Airbus to transport large aircraft components, including:
- Wings, fuselage sections, and vertical tail planes.
- Transporting materials between Airbus factories across Europe, such as those in Hamburg, Toulouse, and Broughton.
Notable Features[]
Largest Cargo Bay in the World: The Beluga XL's enormous cargo space makes it ideal for transporting wings, fuselage sections, and other massive components.
Whale-Inspired Design: The aircraft's friendly “smiling whale” livery, chosen by Airbus employees, sets it apart visually.
Fleet Expansion: Airbus plans to operate six Beluga XLs, replacing the original Beluga fleet by 2024.
Comparison[]
| Feature | Super Guppy | Beluga (A300-600ST) | BelugaXL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Volume | 1104.357 cubic meters | 1,500 cubic meters | 2,209 cubic meters |
| Payload Capacity | 27 tonnes | 47 tonnes | 51 tonnes |
| Cargo Bay Dimensions | 14.78 m x 47.63 m | 37.7 m x 7.1 m | 50.5 m x 8.5 m |
| Aircraft Base Model | B37 Stratocruiser | A300-600 | A330-200 |
| First Flight | 1966 | 1994 | 2018 |
Future[]
The Beluga XL ensures Airbus’ ability to handle the transportation of large aircraft parts for decades to come. With its increased capacity and efficiency, it also allows Airbus to meet the growing demand for wide body and next-generation aircraft.
Gallery[]
References[]
Notes[]
- The Beluga XL offers about 30% more transport capacity compared to its predecessor, the Beluga ST.
- A key capability: turn-around time for a mission is very short thanks to specially designed loading facilities in France, Germany, Spain and the UK.