On January 18, 2005, one of the most significant milestones of the Airbus A380 program took place. The world's first fully double-deck aircraft was officially unveiled for the first time at a ceremony in the Jean Luc Lagardere final assembly hall in Toulouse, France. More than 4,500 guests attended this event. The launch of the A380 also marked the introduction of the new Airbus color scheme, which had not been changed since the A310. The A380 is the first aircraft to feature this new Airbus design. It reflects not only Airbus's current market presence but also its future status as a leading aircraft manufacturer.

The A380 landed on April 27, 2005, at 2:23 PM local time in Blagnac after successfully completing its first flight, which lasted 3 hours and 54 minutes. With the entry into service of the A380, initial passenger flights are planned for 2006. The Airbus flagship for the 21st century took to the skies for its maiden flight with a weight of 421 tons, the highest takeoff weight of any commercial aircraft to date. During this inaugural flight, all major test points were met, marking the beginning of a longer flight testing phase that includes five A380s. The scope and rigor of these ground and flight test programs will lead to a smooth entry into service for the A380.