The Airbus A380 begins to flare on final approach to LHR’s runway 27L over Myrtle Avenue.

Marking a momentous day in the history of aviation, the Airbus A380 landed at London’s Heathrow Airport for the first time today.

Making its UK debut after a flight from Berlin, the giant twin-deck plane had earlier flown over the two UK Airbus sites that designed and built its wings.

Staff at the facilities in Broughton, Flintshire, and Filton, near Bristol, cheered as it passed low above them.

The 555-seat aircraft and its crew are visiting Heathrow to test the airport’s facilities before flying out on Friday.

A380 at Heathrow. The A380 sits at Heathrow’s Pier 6, flanked by security and a host of television live trucks.

The plane was met at the airport’s Pier 6 at Terminal 3 by dignitaries including Chancellor Gordon Brown. The new Pier 6 has been specially designed to handle the A380’s twin decks. Money has also been spent at Heathrow resurfacing runways, upgrading lighting and building new taxiways in preparation for the plane.

Together with Mr. Brown were the heads of some of the 16 airlines that have already ordered the aircraft, which will go into passenger service in December this year.

During the visit, airport officials will test whether the plane does indeed fit the airport.

Airbus sees the giant A380 as the future of aviation, responding to airline calls for a bigger plane to meet increasing passenger numbers flying between major hubs.