The Airbus A340 is a long-range, four-engine wide-body airliner designed for intercontinental flights. First introduced in 1993, the A340 was developed as a competitor to the Boeing 747 and other long-haul aircraft. While it shares many design features with the A330, the A340’s four engines provided extra range and redundancy, making it an appealing choice for airlines operating on very long-haul routes. However, due to the efficiency of modern twin-engine aircraft like the A350 and A330neo, the A340 has seen a decline in commercial use, with many airlines retiring or converting these aircraft for cargo operations.

The A340 remains a significant aircraft in aviation history and is still operated by a few airlines, particularly for routes where four engines were a preferred option in earlier years.

Key Specifications (A340-300)

• Crew: 2 (Pilots).
• Capacity: Typically 261–440 passengers (depending on configuration).
• Length: 67.90 m (222 ft 7 in).
• Wingspan: 60.30 m (197 ft 10 in).
• Height: 16.85 m (55 ft 4 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 275,000 kg (606,000 lb).
• Engines: 4× CFM International CFM56-5C, or Rolls-Royce Trent 500 turbofans.
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.82 (~871 km/h or 541 mph).
• Range: ~13,450 km (8,350 mi).
• Ceiling: ~41,000 ft (12,500 m).

Notable Features

• Four-engine design, offering additional range and redundancy compared to twin-engine aircraft.
• Long-range capability, making it suitable for transatlantic and intercontinental routes.
• Wide-body cabin layout, providing comfort on long-haul flights, with spacious seating arrangements.
• Fly-by-wire technology, helping improve fuel efficiency and handling.
• Higher capacity options for large passenger loads, with up to 440 seats in an all-economy configuration.

Variants

• A340-200 – The shorter version with a slightly reduced range compared to the A340-300.
• A340-300 – The most widely used variant, featuring a longer fuselage and greater seating capacity.
• A340-500 – The longest-range version of the A340, capable of flying up to 16,670 km (10,350 mi), ideal for ultra-long-haul routes.
• A340-600 – The stretched version, offering the highest seating capacity (up to 475 passengers) in the A340 family.

Operators & Usage

• The A340 was historically operated by major international airlines like Air France, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines for long-haul routes.
• Many airlines have now retired or replaced the A340 with more fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787.
• A340-500 and A340-600 variants are still used by some airlines for very long-range routes due to their extra capacity and range.
• A340 aircraft are sometimes converted into cargo freighters, with several of these aircraft being operated by cargo airlines like IAG Cargo and Airbus Freighter Services.