Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a wide-body, four engine, long-range commercial aircraft that holds a significant place in the history of aviation. This aircraft was developed by the European aerospace consortium Airbus and played a crucial role in expanding the capabilities of long-haul air travel.
History & development
The A340 project was officially launched in June 1987. Airbus initiated this program to meet the growing demand for long-haul air travel and to compete with established aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. The development of the A340 was closely linked to Airbus’s earlier success with the A300 and A320 families, which had demonstrated the consortium’s capabilities in designing and producing advanced commercial aircraft.
Latest A340 news
Our epic flying Antarctica trip (all the videos and more)
A recap of our incredible trip to Antarctica including flights on the A340-300, Basler BT-67 and Twin Otter, plus a look at what it was like on the ground!
East and West: Edelweiss adds new North American routes
Edelweiss announced the expansion of its international schedule from/to Zurich, with the inauguration of two
AvTalk Episode 63: Sir, you can’t dump that fuel here
On this episode of AvTalk, we talk with Joseph Tar Schmidt, a regional airline pilot
Air France to shutter its roof top bar Joon
Air France is changing its state of mind and has announced its intention to shutter
East and West: Edelweiss adds new North American routes
Edelweiss announced the expansion of its international schedule from/to Zurich, with the inauguration of two
AvTalk Episode 63: Sir, you can’t dump that fuel here
On this episode of AvTalk, we talk with Joseph Tar Schmidt, a regional airline pilot
Air France to shutter its roof top bar Joon
Air France is changing its state of mind and has announced its intention to shutter
Currently airborne A340s
Flight tracking focus
The Airbus A340 has long been of interest to flight trackers around the world due to it being one of the few commercial airliners to feature a four-engine configuration. It’s also well known for its long haul capabilities and with the A340-500 holding the record for the longest commercial flight for several years. Airlines used this model to operate ultra-long-haul routes, such as Singapore Airlines’ non-stop flight between Singapore and Newark, which covered a distance of over 9,500 miles. While the A340’s popularity has declined due to advances in twin-engine aircraft offering better fuel efficiency, it remains in service with some airlines. Its legacy continues in various capacities, including cargo operations and charter flights.
A340 facts & figures
A340 family specification
| Variant | A340-200 | A340-300 | A340-500 | A340-600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engines | 4 x CFM International CFM56-5C | 4 x CFM International CFM56-5C | 4 x Rolls-Royce Trent 553 | 4 x Rolls-Royce Trent 556 |
| Height | 17.3m / 55.8ft | 16.9m / 55.7ft | 17.5m / 57.5ft | 17.9m / 58.8ft |
| Length | 59.3m / 194.10ft | 63.6m / 208.10ft | 67.33m / 220.11ft | 74.77m / 245.30ft |
| Wingspan | 60.3m / 197.83ft | 60.3m / 197.83ft | 63.4m / 208.17ft | 63.4m / 208.17ft |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.82 | Mach 0.82 | Mach 0.82 | Mach 0.82 |
| Range | 12,400km / 6,700nm | 13,500km / 7,300nm | 16,670km / 9,000nm | 14,450km / 7,800nm |
| Passenger / load capacity | 210 to 250 | 335 | 313 | 380 |
A340 frequently asked questions
The number of Airbus A340 operators is steadily declining as retirement of the types gradually occurs. Currently there are 17 Airbus A340 operators worldwide.
The range of the A340 varies between types with the A340-200 having the shortest range at 12,400km (6,700nm) and the A340-500 with the longest range at 16,670km (9,000nm). The A340-500 was previously used to operate the world’s longest flight >>
Depending on the A340 variant, it can carry between 210 and 370 passengers. The A340-200 has the smallest capacity (210 to 270 passengers) whilst the A340-600 has the largest capacity (320 to 370 passengers).
The service ceiling of the Airbus A340 is 41,450ft (12,634m).
Header image © Jasper Lee
