Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: France
Type: Freight Aircraft
Manufacturer: Airbus
Airbus BelugaXL Aircraft Overview
The BelugaXL is based on the Airbus A330-200 and is the successor to the original BelugaST (which was itself based on the A300). Its key feature is an enlarged upper fuselage, giving it a unique shape that allows it to carry oversized components like entire wings or fuselage sections for other Airbus aircraft—especially the A350.
It made its first flight in 2018 and officially entered service in 2020, joining Airbus’s in-house cargo fleet known as Airbus Transport International (ATI).
Airbus plans to operate six BelugaXL aircraft by the end of the decade, gradually phasing out the older BelugaST fleet. These aircraft operate exclusively within Airbus’s production and assembly network, flying parts between factories in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK.
Why Does The BelugaXL Look So Weird?
The aircraft’s shape is purely functional: its extra-wide cargo hold, stretching over 8 meters (26 ft) in diameter, allows it to load and transport massive parts that wouldn’t fit in a traditional freighter. The cockpit is lowered beneath the main cargo bay so the nose can remain attached while loading, and the top has been reshaped to accommodate oversized payloads.
The smiling Beluga face? That was added after a poll among Airbus employees—because if you’re building a flying whale, you might as well go all in.
What Can It Carry?
The BelugaXL can haul payloads of up to 51 tons and has enough space to fit two A350 wings side by side—something the original Beluga couldn’t do. Its internal volume is around 2,209 cubic meters, making it one of the largest cargo aircraft in the world by volume.
Airbus BelugaXL Specifications
- Payload Capacity: Up to 50,500 kilograms (111,333 pounds)
- Length: Measures 63.1 meters (207 feet) from nose to tail
- Wingspan: Spans 60.3 meters (197 feet 10 inches)
- Height: Stands 18.9 meters tall (62 feet)
- Wing Area: Covers approximately 361.6 square meters (3,892 square feet)
- Empty Weight: Around 127,500 kilograms (281,089 pounds)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: Up to 227,000 kilograms (500,449 pounds)
- Fuel Capacity: Holds roughly 73,000 kilograms (161,000 pounds) of fuel
- Fuselage Diameter: Measures 8.8 meters (29 feet) across
- Cargo Volume: Offers an internal cargo hold of 2,209 cubic meters (78,000 cubic feet)
- Engines: Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 turbofan engines, each delivering 316 kN (71,000 pounds-force) of thrust
Airbus BelugaXL Performance
- Cruising Speed: About 737 km/h (458 mph or 398 knots), flying at Mach 0.69 at 35,000 feet.
- Maximum Range: Capable of flying up to 4,300 kilometers (2,600 miles or 2,300 nautical miles) with a full payload.
- Service Ceiling: Reaches operational altitudes up to 11,000 meters (35,000 feet)
Airbus BelugaXL Image Gallery
The Airbus BelugaXL isn’t just a logistical workhorse—it’s also one of the most endearing planes in the skies. Its role is crucial to the Airbus production process, but it’s also become a fan favorite among aviation enthusiasts thanks to its quirky looks and charming personality.
