Airliner • Airbus • A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| Model | A340 |
| Category | Airliner |
| Variants | A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, A340-600 |
| Production Years | 1993 – 2011 |
| Seating | 261, 280, 303, 335, 380 seats |
| Typical TTAF | 35,000 hours |
| Markets | United Kingdom, France, Germany, United States, Singapore |
| Price Range | $8.0M – $28.0M |
The Airbus A340 is a wide-body, four-engine aircraft designed for long-range international flights. First introduced in 1993, it represents Airbus's answer to ultra-long-range travel, capable of connecting distant city pairs with comfort and reliability. The A340 features a double-deck fuselage with seating for 261-380 passengers depending on configuration, and can operate intercontinental routes up to 9,000+ nautical miles without refueling. Known for exceptional fuel efficiency relative to its capacity and range, the A340 employs four Rolls-Royce Tay engines that provide redundancy and allow operations into airports with limited emergency diversion capabilities. Major airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines have operated substantial fleets. The aircraft combines pressurized comfort with advanced avionics and is particularly valued for cargo conversion potential. Production ended in 2011 after 380 aircraft were built, making it a mature, reliable platform with extensive operational history and strong supply chain support.
Maximum Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85 (490 knots)
Maximum Range: 9,045 nautical miles (A340-600)
Service Ceiling: 43,000 feet
Engines: Four Rolls-Royce Tay turbofans (139.4 kN each, A340-300)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 275,000 kg (A340-300), 380,000 kg (A340-600)
Fuselage Length: 67.7 m (A340-300), 75.4 m (A340-600)
Wingspan: 60.3 m (A340-300), 63.7 m (A340-600)