Rugby heavyweights launch A380 Superjumbo to Johannesburg

Rugby giants Chris Robshaw, Bryan Habana and Jean De Villiers have undertaken one of the biggest challenges of their careers – taking on the might of British Airways' largest aircraft, the Airbus A380.

Weighing in at 110kg, 95kg and 101kg respectively, Robshaw, the England rugby captain and Habana and De Villiers, the South African Springboks, are pictured attempting to pull the airline’s newest fleet member (topping the scales at 366,000kgs) down the runway at Manston Airport in Kent.

Model, Georgia May Jagger, was also on hand to oversee proceedings. The players’ feat was in celebration of British Airways’ latest announcement that customers can now book onto the A380 to fly to Johannesburg from February 12, 2014. Prices start from £872 return in World Traveller (economy), £1,382 return in World Traveller Plus (premium economy), £3,274 return in Club World (business class) and £6,179 in First.

A380 enthusiasts eager to be on the very first A380 flight to Johannesburg should note that the date for the inaugural flight is likely to be earlier and will be announced in due course.

The airline will initially operate three A380 services a week to South Africa’s financial capital. This will increase from March 10, 2014 to six flights per week. These flights will be part of the airline’s normal schedule to Johannesburg.