Despite these potential headaches, officials at airports say they are looking forward to the debut of the A380, which will displace the 747-400 as the world's biggest commercial jetliner.

At the time it occurred, Flight 897 was the third fatal crash of a big jetliner since they were introduced into service in 1958.

Boeing's 747 has been the biggest jetliner for the last 30 years, and is still the only aircraft capable of carrying more than 400 passengers.

Then something unexpected happened: the romance of work, something the Schalks long thought was tied exclusively to fixing big jetliners, began to return.

Taking 80 or so big jetliners out of service would allow the combined airline - and others - to raise fares because there would be less competition in some markets.

Although the major airlines do most of their own repairs, some contract their work to the approximately 20 independent shops that can handle big jetliners.

A1 Two near-collisions involving four big jetliners flying outside radar coverage over the Atlantic are the subject of inquiries.

He complains that Northwest is the only carrier serving Green Bay with big comfortable jetliners.

As the big jetliner continued its turn back to the airport, Duncan applied some power back to the left engine.

He circled three times, each time closer, until he saw a big jetliner abort its descent and climb back up.