The Airbus A340 once caught my attention in 1997 when it joined Philippine Airlines at that time. At first, I was wondering what 4-engine aircraft that was since I thought Airbus only made twin-engine aircraft and I don’t know any Boeing single-deck aircraft operating a quadjet. Then I later came to realize that the plane was an Airbus, known as an A340 and its different variants! It then somehow caught my interest, and I did begin to appreciate the plane later on.
I was also able to fly in an A340-300 from Manila to Davao when it was still in service with PAL.
The A340 is Airbus’ first quadjet. If you will look back at its history, they were known for making widebody twinjets, with the A300 being the world’s first twin-aisle twinjet aircraft. They then created the A310, which is a shorter version of the A300 with longer range, still operating with two engines. Then came its first narrowbody, the A320, which was its first plane to be equipped with a fly-by-wire system. Then came the A330, the first Airbus twinjet widebody plane with a fly-by-wire system. The A330 was king of the medium-haul routes and definitely more efficient than the Boeing 767. However, Airbus wanted to make the A330 fly further.
Then comes the A340, which basically shares the same fuselage as the A330 except for its later versions. The A340 was Airbus’ first quadjet, and it was widely used by different airlines worldwide too. It had four variants, which I will discuss here.
A340-200
The A340-200 was the first to kickstart the A340 family. It’s the shortest version, but don’t let its size fool you. With a capacity to seat 261 passengers in a three-class layout, it boasts a range of 13,800 kilometers. What’s unique about the -200 is its wingspan, which is actually greater than its fuselage length.
Initially welcomed into service by Air France in 1993, this model is powered by four CFMI CFM56-5C4 engines. Despite its capabilities, it wasn’t as popular as its siblings, with only 28 units produced. Its closest competitor is the Boeing 767-400ER.
A340-300
Next up is the A340-300, a model that truly represents the heart of the A340 family. It’s a bit of a star, having flown for the first time in 1991 and entering service with big names like Lufthansa and Air France in 1993. This variant can comfortably fly 295 passengers over 6,700 nautical miles. It shares the same engine type and auxiliary power unit as the -200. The -300 was eventually succeeded by the A350-900, but not before making its mark with 218 units delivered.
The A340-300E, often mixed up with the A340-300X, steps it up with an increased maximum takeoff weight and more powerful engines. It’s known for its range and efficiency, with Lufthansa operating the largest fleet of this type.
A340-500
The A340-500 was a game-changer in the world of long-haul travel. When it first took to the skies, it was the world’s longest-range commercial airliner. This variant could carry 313 passengers over an impressive 16,020 kilometers. It featured a longer fuselage, an enlarged wing, and a significant increase in fuel capacity compared to the -300.
The -500 was particularly notable for its ultra-long-haul capabilities, able to fly routes like London to Perth non-stop. However, its specialization in long-haul flights also meant it faced challenges in profitability and efficiency.
The A340-600
Finally, we have the A340-600, the longest variant of the family. Designed to replace older Boeing 747 models, it can carry 379 passengers over 13,900 kilometers. It’s longer than the -300 and even the Boeing 747-400, offering more space for passengers and cargo. The -600 variant was first flown by Virgin Atlantic in 2002. It’s powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 556 turbofans and features a unique four-wheel undercarriage bogie to support its increased weight.
The A340-600HGW (High Gross Weight) version further pushed the boundaries with an increased range and maximum takeoff weight. However, despite its capabilities, the -600 faced competition from more efficient models like the Boeing 777-300ER.
We barely see A340s and its different variants nowadays, but for me, the most beautiful-looking variant is the A340-500. The size of the engines seems so proportional to the length of the fuselage. The A340-600 seems too long for me, and the engines of the A340-300 seem too small for the aircraft. Nevertheless, I am lucky to have flown on this plane when it was still in service, and these days, it is truly a spot-worthy plane.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
