The Airbus Beluga is one of the most recognizable aircraft worldwide, with its distinctive, whale-like features making it stand out at any airport. Airbus uses the Beluga to transport large parts between its facilities, while the European planemaker has recently offered its oversized cargo capabilities to paying customers as well.

The latest iteration of the program is the BelugaXL, offering 30% more capacity than its predecessor, among other perks. So, how exactly does the loading process work with an Airbus BelugaXL? Unlike most freighters loaded through a conventional side door, the Beluga essentially swallows cargo through its upward-swinging nose door. Let's look at this fascinating aircraft and its loading process below.

Origins of the Airbus BelugaXL

Airbus developed its legendary 'Beluga' outsize cargo aircraft from its existing A300 design. This aircraft had been the company's first airliner, as well as the world's first twin-engine widebody design. It entered service with Air France in May 1974.

By the 1990s, with Airbus having experienced substantial growth in the intervening 15–20 years, the need had arisen for the company to develop an outsize freighter. Having initially transported components by road, the manufacturer later flew them between its various European facilities, such as Hamburg, Germany, and Toulouse, France, using turboprop-powered Super Guppy aircraft. However, it was planning to withdraw these in the mid-1990s.

A Satellite vessel being unloaded from an Airbus Beluga XL aircraft.
Photo: Airbus

As such, Airbus produced five A300-600ST (Super Transporter) aircraft between 1992 and 1999 to replace the Super Guppy and modernize its outsize cargo fleet. Owing to their bulbous fuselages, they became affectionately known as the 'Beluga.' In 2020, Airbus introduced a next-generation version based on the A330-200, the Beluga XL - this larger variant can carry two A350 wings rather than just one, offering 30% more capacity. Airbus manufactured six Beluga XLs, one more than the previous Beluga fleet.

Loading the BelugaXL

Given the nature of the cargo that the BelugaXL carries, it must be loaded differently than regular freighters receive their goods in containers. As such, Airbus had to improvise a door that was large enough and could open wide enough for aircraft components to go straight in from the front. As seen above, it had already done this with its previous Super Guppy aircraft. However, this system was not without its problems.

Indeed, the sideways-swinging nature of the Super Guppy's nose door meant that its cockpit systems had to be disconnected and reconnected when opening and closing it. As such, Airbus elected to utilize an upward-swinging nose door on its new Beluga. By doing this, it could relocate the cockpit to below the main cargo deck.

An Airbus BelugaXL with its cargo door open.
Photo: Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock

This meant that it was kept separate from the body of the door, thus eliminating the need to disconnect and reconnect its cockpit systems before and after use. This practical consideration resulted in a staggering 50% reduction in loading times. The Beluga XL has retained this style of door. Once open, cargo is loaded through the enormous, horizontally-hinged door using roll-on/roll-off equipment. This also saves time and, with it, money.

A contrasting style to its competitor

Airbus is known for making up the European half of the industry-dominating Airbus-Boeing manufacturing duopoly. Like Airbus, its American rival also found that it was necessary to produce an outsize freighter to transport larger aircraft parts.

A Boeing Dreamlifter taxiing to the runway.
Photo: Boeing

It did so in the form of the Boeing 747 'Dreamlifter,' which entered service in 2007. However, while it serves a similar purpose to the Beluga family, it is loaded differently. Indeed, its cargo enters the aircraft at the rear, thanks to its enormous swinging tail door.

Airbus recently rolled out its sixth and final BelugaXL - the freighter is sporting a unique livery advertising the company's new outsourced cargo activities, along with a winking eye near the nose. You can expect to see the smiling Airbus BelugaXL in the skies for many years to come.

Did you know how Airbus loads its 'Beluga family outsize cargo aircraft? Perhaps you've seen it happen in person? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!

  • rsz_airbus_50th_years_anniversary_formation_flight_-_air_to_air
    Airbus
    Stock Code:
    AIR
    Date Founded:
    1970-12-18
    CEO:
    Guillaume Faury
    Headquarters Location:
    Toulouse, France
    Key Product Lines:
    Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380
    Business Type:
    Planemaker