Another A380 to LHR
 

I looked up at an aircraft flying over me 15mins ago and was surprised to see an A380 of Qatar Airways heading in on 28L as opposed to all the other pre-15.00hrs traffic on 28R. It would appear that it was the inaugural device between Doha and London according to their website. I have to say it's a nice colour scheme on the big bird.

28? Oh Jack, that really gives away your age!!!

LHR ATC often land A380s on the departure runway to avoid the effect it would otherwise have on the flow rate (because of wake separation). As well as Qatar, Emirates did so about 15 minutes previously.

By the way, it changed from 28L to 27L in 1987. :O

Come on what's a degree between friends ? ;) Of course I knew this, but one has 'a man' to type as one's fingers are too expensive to squish against keyboards and he is of an earlier vintage :p



SHJ

Apparently, it was not just for flow rate reasons for the switch. They had a fire engine water arch thing to welcome the aircraft.
I do wish they had told me; it was depressing waiting in the wilds of Hounslow for the arrival, only to watch it go behind me!
A couple of hours later, they pulled the same stunt. Having moved to the 27L approach, I was looking forward to seeing the inbound LOT B787. And I did indeed see it. A mile away on 27R!