Heathrow welcomes unusually shaped aircraft
Heathrow Airport in London witnessed a rare and intriguing sight on Monday morning when an Airbus BelugaXL made a landing, offering London plane spotters a chance to glimpse the aircraft’s distinctive whale-like silhouette. The BelugaXL, renowned for its unique design that resembles a beluga whale, touched down at 11:00 AM local time, having flown in from Toulouse, France.
The arrival of the BelugaXL was particularly fortuitous for British Airways. The airline had been awaiting crucial spare parts to repair a plane grounded since an incident in April. The unusual shape of the BelugaXL used for transporting large components for Airbus aircraft, made its appearance both practical and symbolic.
Social media buzz
The BelugaXL’s landing did not go unnoticed on social media, where it sparked a wave of lighthearted comparisons. On X (formerly Twitter), users were quick to draw parallels between the aircraft and various objects.
“For a second I thought it was Vincent Kompany,” quipped one user.
“Is that the former Burnley manager?” asked another, highlighting the aircraft’s resemblance to the ex-footballer.
Background
In April, a Virgin Boeing 787-9, with no passengers onboard, collided with a stationary British Airways plane while being towed to a different area of the airfield after completing a flight. British Airways said its aircraft is currently under assessment by engineers, and an alternative plane has been provided to minimize disruption for customers.
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson confirmed, “One of our empty aircraft’s wingtips made contact with another plane while being towed at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3. Ensuring the safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.”
A British Airways representative added, “Our aircraft, stationary at Heathrow, was struck by another airline’s jet being towed. We’re assessing the damage and have offered an alternative aircraft to limit any customer impact.”