Bush Intercontinental Airport gets ready for new A380 plane

HOUSTONGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport is growing and spending millions of dollars for upgrades and enhancements.

Lufthansa already flies a 747-400 aircraft, but in August it will fly the world's largest airplane, the A380. The A380 double-decker plane can carry up to 526 passengers.

Houston Airport System aviation director Mario C. Diaz said of the 526 passengers, "eight of those are first class, truly first class. We're talking about private rooms, showers, amenities, and then you have 98 business class all on that top tier."

The A380 will fly between Houston and Frankfurt, Germany.

The airport expansion will include a new jet bridge, new fuel pumps, new lighting, painting and new electrical wiring.

Airport officials said more employees will also be needed.

So what if you want to book a ticket to Germany? On Monday, a round-trip ticket in October was around $1,200 for coach. A first-class ticket is much more expensive – about $16,000.

The A380 lands for the first time at IAH on Aug. 1.