The story
The Airbus A300-600ST Beluga exists to carry airplanes inside an airplane — wings and fuselage sections ferried between Airbus factories across Europe. The cockpit sits below the cargo deck so the whole bulbous forehead can swing open. Only five were ever built, and after three decades of service the fleet is finally winding down.
The Beluga hasn't just carried aircraft parts — it has flown space station modules and priceless museum paintings, cargo too big and too precious for anything else.
Quick answers
How do you identify a A300-600ST Beluga?
Unmistakable: a whale with wings. Huge domed cargo bay above a tiny low-set cockpit. The first of the five retired in January 2026, so every sighting now counts double.
What does a A300-600ST Beluga sound like?
Two big CF6 turbofans — a standard widebody rumble coming from a shape that looks anything but standard.
How fast is the A300-600ST Beluga?
Top speed is Mach 0.70 (max operating).
How many people does the A300-600ST Beluga carry?
Typical configuration: 2 pilots + loadmaster.
How far can the A300-600ST Beluga fly?
Range is about 1,500 nmi with 40 t payload.
How big is the A300-600ST Beluga?
It is 184 ft 3 in long and 147 ft 1 in across the wings.
When did the A300-600ST Beluga first fly?
Its first flight was in 1994.
How many A300-600ST Belugas have been built?
5 built.
How rare is a A300-600ST Beluga in Bogey?
LEGENDARY. The top tier. Spotters plan trips around a catch like this. Your first A300-600ST Beluga catch is worth 1,000 points.
