On Oct. 28, 1972, the Airbus A300 took off for its first flight. The aircraft, while not a financial success by itself, was an important catalyst for Airbus to become established in the commercial aviation market and build the portfolio of aircraft it offers today. And while Airbus ceased production of the A300 in 2007, more than 200 remain in service, mostly as freighters.
Read about the A300’s development and its place in Airbus history: The Airbus A300 Legacy, 50 Years After First Flight