The Airbus A300-600 is an advanced variant of the original A300 wide-body airliner, introduced in the early 1980s as a response to growing demand for greater range, better fuel efficiency, and modern avionics. Retaining the A300's twin-engine wide-body platform, the A300-600 brought several upgrades, including more efficient engines, increased maximum takeoff weight, a redesigned interior, and—eventually—a two-crew glass cockpit. It became one of the most successful iterations of the A300 family and laid the groundwork for the A310 and future Airbus long-haul designs.

Key Specifications (A300B4-600 / A300-600R)

• Crew: 2 (Pilots).
• Capacity: Typically 266 passengers in two-class configuration (up to ~345 in high-density layout).
• Length: 54.08 m (177 ft 5 in).
• Wingspan: 44.84 m (147 ft 1 in).
• Height: 16.62 m (54 ft 6 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): Up to 171,700 kg (378,000 lb).
• Engines: 2× General Electric CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 turbofans.
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.82 (~876 km/h or 544 mph).
• Range: ~7,500 km (4,660 mi) with full payload.
• Ceiling: ~39,000 ft (11,900 m).

Notable Features

• Improved range and fuel efficiency over previous A300B2/B4 variants.
• Two-crew glass cockpit introduced later in production, removing the need for a flight engineer.
• Redesigned interior shared with the A310, offering a modernized passenger experience.
• Advanced flight control and avionics systems for better performance and safety.
• High cargo capacity, making it ideal for freighter conversions post-retirement from passenger service.

Variants

• A300B4-600 – Base A300-600 model with structural improvements and increased MTOW.
• A300-600R – “Range” variant with center fuel tank and further enhancements.
• A300-600F – Factory-built freighter with reinforced floor and large cargo door.
• A300-600ST (Beluga) – Highly modified transport aircraft for Airbus component logistics (see separate entry).

Operators & Usage

• Served with major airlines like American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, and Thai Airways.
• Extensively used in cargo operations by carriers such as FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, and DHL Aviation.
• Still active in freight and charter roles, particularly in regions with high cargo demand.
• A favorite for conversion to freighter due to its spacious fuselage and reliable performance.