HOUSTON – The world's largest passenger landed in Houston Wednesday in its inaugural trip from Germany.
Michael Copenhaver from Houston was one of the more than 500 passengers on board the Lufthansa Airbus A-380 flight to George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
"It's the largest airplane to ever fly into Houston, and think it's just something to be a part of aviation history. Heard a lot about the aircraft and it's quiet," said Copenhaver.
KPRC Local 2 spent the past two days in Germany getting unprecedented access to the luxurious aircraft in Frankfurt.
Economy class takes up the entire lower deck and business and first class are on the upper deck.
In first class, one round-trip ticket from Houston to Frankfurt could cost as much as $17,000. But it comes with plenty of space, individual flat-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms.
In addition to tourism, the airline is targeting the oil and gas industry. The Houston Airport System has already spent more than $7 million on upgrades in order to accommodate the plane.
"We are happy to be the gateway into the heartland of the heartland of the United States for this airplane," said Houston mayor Annise Parker.
The Lufthansa Airbus A-380 is scheduled to have daily service out of Bush Intercontinental Airport. Airline executives said those flights are nearly booked or sold out for the next several weeks.
Photos: World's largest passenger aircraft lands in Houston