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Airbus A300-600ST Beluga / A330-743L BelugaXL

Airbus · Oversize Cargo Transport (Outsize Components) / Airbus Aircraft Component Ferry / Outsize Cargo · France / International · Modern (1992–2009)

Airbus A300-600ST Beluga / A330-743L BelugaXL — Oversize Cargo Transport (Outsize Components) / Airbus Aircraft Component Ferry / Outsize Cargo
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The Airbus A300-600ST Beluga (technical designation A300-600ST Super Transporter) and its successor the A330-743L BelugaXL are Airbus's outsize-cargo airframes built to ferry aircraft sub-assemblies — wings, fuselage barrels, vertical stabilisers, horizontal stabilisers — between Airbus's manufacturing sites in Hamburg, Toulouse, Saint-Nazaire, and Broughton (Wales). Five A300-600STs were built between 1992 and 1999. Six BelugaXLs were built between 2018 and 2023. Both types nicknamed for the white whale; the upper-fuselage profile and the upturned-mouth cockpit shape both visually echo a Beluga whale.

The original Beluga was the replacement for the Aero Spacelines Super Guppy Turbines that Airbus had operated since 1972 to ferry Airbus sub-assemblies — the Super Guppys were ageing and their hold was too small for the new Airbus A340 wing centre-sections. Airbus built the A300-600ST itself rather than buying yet another Aero Spacelines conversion. The A300-600ST kept the standard Airbus A300 lower fuselage, wings, tail, and engines (two GE CF6-80C2 turbofans, 60,000 lbf each) but added a new bulged upper fuselage with a hinged-up nose-cone for cargo loading. Hold dimensions: 7.4 m wide × 7.0 m tall × 37.7 m long.

The BelugaXL was developed to handle the larger A350 XWB sub-assemblies. It uses an A330-200F base instead of the A300; hold cross-section grew to 8.8 m × 8.0 m, and length stretched to 39.0 m. First flight came on 19 July 2018; entry into service April 2020. The BelugaXL has 30% more capacity than the original Beluga and can carry an A350 wing pair in a single load — something the original Beluga could not.

Airbus operates the Beluga fleet through its subsidiary Airbus Transport International. Operations are mostly inter-factory ferry flights — Hamburg → Toulouse → Saint-Nazaire → Broughton on a daily rotation, plus one-way flights to/from final-assembly customers. From 2022, Airbus has also chartered the older A300-600ST fleet for third-party outsize-cargo work as a new revenue stream — competitor to the Antonov An-124 fleet for loads in the 40-50 t / outsize range. Both Beluga generations are based at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, with secondary operations at Hamburg-Finkenwerder.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Airbus Beluga is a very special cargo plane. It carries giant airplane parts from one factory to another. It flies wings, fuselage sections, and tail pieces across Europe. Airbus uses it to move parts between cities like Hamburg, Toulouse, and Saint-Nazaire.

The Beluga looks just like a real beluga whale! It has a big round top and a cockpit that looks like a smiling mouth. That is exactly why people gave it that nickname. The white color makes it look even more like the friendly white whale.

To load cargo, the entire nose of the plane swings upward. Then huge airplane parts can slide right inside. The cargo hold is bigger than a school bus, making it perfect for massive airplane wings. Once loaded, the nose closes back down and the plane takes off.

Airbus built five of the original Belugas between 1992 and 1999. They replaced older planes called Super Guppys that were getting too small and too old. Later, Airbus built a newer and bigger version called the BelugaXL. Six BelugaXLs were built between 2018 and 2023.

Both versions use two powerful jet engines. They work like a flying delivery truck for airplane parts. Without the Beluga, Airbus could not build its planes so quickly or efficiently across so many factories.

Fun Facts

  • The Beluga is named after the beluga whale because its huge round top looks just like one!
  • The cockpit shape looks like a big smiling mouth, just like a whale's face.
  • Five original Belugas were built, and six of the newer BelugaXL models were also built.
  • The BelugaXL is bigger than the original Beluga and can carry even larger airplane parts.
  • The whole nose of the plane swings open so giant parts can be loaded inside.
  • Before the Beluga, Airbus used older planes called Super Guppys to move airplane parts.
  • The Beluga carries airplane wings that are longer than a city bus!
  • Airbus built the Beluga itself instead of buying someone else's design.

Kids’ Questions

Why does the Beluga look so funny and round?

The top of the plane is made extra wide and round to fit huge airplane parts inside. This big bulging shape is what makes it look like a beluga whale. Airbus kept the regular bottom half of the plane but added a giant rounded top section.

How do workers load big airplane parts into the Beluga?

The entire nose of the plane tilts upward like a big door. Then large parts like wings and fuselage sections can be pushed inside. After loading, the nose swings back down and locks in place before the plane flies.

What did Airbus use before the Beluga?

Airbus used older planes called Super Guppys starting in 1972. Those planes became too old and too small for the newest airplane parts. So Airbus built the Beluga to replace them.

Is there more than one type of Beluga?

Yes! There are two types. The original Beluga is called the A300-600ST, and five of those were built. The newer and bigger version is called the BelugaXL, and six of those were built.

Variants

A300-600ST Beluga (Super Transporter)
Original 1990s outsize-cargo aircraft. Five built between 1992 and 1999. CF6-80C2 turbofans. Hold 7.4 m × 7.0 m × 37.7 m. As of 2026, four are still in active service plus one in third-party charter.
A330-743L BelugaXL
Larger successor based on A330-200F. Six built between 2018 and 2023. Trent 700 turbofans. Hold 8.8 m × 8.0 m × 39.0 m — 30% more cargo capacity than the original Beluga. First flight 19 July 2018; entry into service April 2020.

Notable Operators

Airbus Transport International
Sole operator. Ferries Airbus airliner sub-assemblies between Hamburg, Toulouse, Saint-Nazaire, Broughton, and final-assembly customer sites. Roughly 6 daily rotations across the BelugaXL fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Airbus Beluga carry?

Airbus airliner sub-assemblies between European factories — A320 wing pairs from Broughton (Wales) to Hamburg; A350 forward fuselages from Saint-Nazaire to Toulouse; A380 vertical stabilisers from Hamburg to Toulouse. Each Airbus airliner makes 6-8 Beluga ferry flights during its production cycle.

How is the BelugaXL different from the original Beluga?

The BelugaXL is based on the larger A330 platform instead of the A300. It has 30% more cargo capacity (hold 8.8 m × 8.0 m × 39.0 m vs. 7.4 m × 7.0 m × 37.7 m) and uses Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines instead of GE CF6-80C2s. It can carry an A350 wing pair in a single load — the original Beluga couldn't.

How many Belugas are there?

Eleven total: five A300-600ST originals (built 1992-1999) plus six A330-743L BelugaXLs (built 2018-2023). The A300-600ST fleet is partly retired into third-party charter as the BelugaXL takes over the Airbus internal-ferry role.

Why does Airbus need an outsize-cargo fleet?

Airbus assembles airliners in Toulouse (and Hamburg, plus Mobile, Alabama for some lines) but builds sub-assemblies in many European factories. The Beluga fleet flies wings from Broughton, fuselage barrels from Saint-Nazaire, and so on into Toulouse for final assembly. Without the Beluga, sub-assemblies would have to ship by sea or rail — taking 5-10 days each — making the Airbus production tempo impossible.

Can the Airbus Beluga be chartered?

Yes — Airbus has chartered the older A300-600ST Beluga fleet to third parties for outsize-cargo work since 2022. Loads have included satellites, helicopter ferry shipments, and humanitarian-aid pallets. The BelugaXL fleet remains restricted to Airbus internal use.

Sources

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