The Airbus A340-200 is the original variant of the A340 family, designed for long-haul routes with fewer passengers than later versions. It was developed alongside the A330 as part of Airbus's effort to expand into the wide-body, long-range market. Introduced in the early 1990s, the A340-200 features a shorter fuselage and a higher fuel capacity, giving it an impressive range for its size.

Though only a small number were built, the A340-200 played an important role in helping Airbus gain traction with international carriers. Its four-engine layout allowed it to operate long-distance flights over remote areas without ETOPS restrictions, making it especially useful for transoceanic and polar routes.

Key Specifications (A340-200)

• Crew: 2 (Pilots).
• Capacity: Typically 261 passengers in a three-class layout.
• Length: 59.39 m (194 ft 10 in).
• Wingspan: 60.30 m (197 ft 10 in).
• Height: 16.85 m (55 ft 4 in).
• Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW): Up to 275,000 kg (606,000 lb).
• Engines: 4× CFM International CFM56-5C turbofans.
• Cruise Speed: Mach 0.82 (~871 km/h or 541 mph).
• Range: ~13,800 km (8,575 mi).
• Ceiling: ~41,000 ft (12,500 m).

Notable Features

• Shorter fuselage with increased fuel capacity for extended range.
• Four-engine design allowed unrestricted global operation before modern ETOPS standards.
• Wide-body cabin offering comfort on long-haul flights.
• Fly-by-wire controls shared with the A330 for easier pilot cross-training.
• Built-in flexibility for cargo or VIP transport roles.

Variants

• A340-200 – The original version with lower passenger capacity but extended range.
• A340-300 – Longer fuselage with more seating and improved fuel efficiency.
• A340-500 – Ultra-long-range variant with a range of up to 16,670 km (10,350 mi), ideal for the world’s longest non-stop flights.
• A340-600 – Stretched version with the highest seating capacity (up to 475 passengers) in the A340 family.

Operators & Usage

• Used by airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, and South African Airways during the 1990s and 2000s.
• Often used for long-range routes requiring additional redundancy or payload flexibility.
• Later replaced by more efficient aircraft like the A330, A350, and Boeing 777.
• Some A340-200s have been repurposed for VIP and government use, or converted for cargo transport.