Editing Airbus A340 (section)

==Variants==
[[File:Airbus A340 family v1.0.png|thumb|left|Airbus A340 family]]

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|+Airbus A340 variants
|-
![[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]] code<ref name=ICAOcode>{{cite web|url=http://www.icao.int/anb/ais/8643/8643_List2.cfm|title=ICAO Document 8643|work=[[International Civil Aviation Organization]]|access-date=9 February 2011|archive-date=30 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830215121/http://www.icao.int/anb/ais/8643/8643_List2.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!Model(s)
|-
|A342
|A340-200
|-
|A343
|A340-300
|-
|A345
|A340-500
|-
|A346
|A340-600
|}

There are four variants of the A340. The A340-200 and A340-300 were launched in 1987 with introduction into service in March 1993 for the −200. The A340-500 and A340-600 were launched in 1997 with introduction into service in 2002. All variants were available in a [[Airbus Corporate Jets|corporate version]].

=== A340-200 ===
[[File:Aerolíneas Argentinas A340-200 LV-ZPO FCO 2006-8-27.png|thumb|[[Aerolíneas Argentinas]] A340-200 at [[Fiumicino Airport]]]]
The −200 is one of two initial versions of the A340; it has seating for 261 passengers in a three-class cabin layout with a [[Range (aircraft)|range]] of {{convert|13800|km|nmi mi}} or seating for 240 passengers also in a three-class cabin layout for a range of {{convert|15000|km|nmi mi}}.<ref name="A342">{{cite web|url=http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a330a340 |title=A330/A340 family: Twin-and four-engine efficiency |publisher=Airbus |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119010055/http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a330a340 |archive-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This is the shortest version of the family and the only version with a wingspan measuring greater than its fuselage length. It is powered by four CFMI [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-5C4]] engines and uses the [[Honeywell]] 331–350[A] [[auxiliary power unit]] (APU).<ref name="Product Catalog">{{cite web|url=https://commerce.honeywell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ECategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10651&categoryId=32443&langId=-1 |access-date=18 November 2010 |title=Product Catalog |publisher=Honeywell |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712215914/https://commerce.honeywell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ECategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10651&categoryId=32443&langId=-1 |archive-date=12 July 2011 }}</ref> It initially entered service with Air France in May 1993. Due to its large wingspan, four engines, low capacity and general inferiority to the larger and more improved A340-300, the −200 proved very unpopular with mainstream airlines. Only 28 A340-200s were produced. Boeing did not produce a direct competitor.

One version of this type (referred to by Airbus as the ''A340-8000'') was ordered by the prince [[Jefri Bolkiah]], with the request for a non-stop range of {{convert|15000|km|nmi mi}}. This A340-8000, in the Royal Brunei Airlines livery had an increased fuel capacity, an [[Maximum Take-Off Weight|MTOW]] of {{convert|275|t|lb}}, similar to the A340-300, and minor reinforcements to the [[Landing gear|undercarriage]]. It is powered by the {{convert|150|kN|lbf|lk=on}} thrust [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-5C4s]] similar to the −300E. Only one A340-8000 was produced. Besides the −8000, some A340-200s are used for [[Very Important Person|VIP]] or military use; these include [[Royal Brunei Airlines]], [[Qatar Amiri Flight]], [[Politics of Egypt|Arab Republic of Egypt Government]], [[Royal Saudi Air Force]], [[Jordan]] and the [[French Air and Space Force]]. Following the −8000, other A340-200s were later given performance improvement packages (PIPs) that helped them achieve similar gains in capability as to the A340-8000. Those aircraft are labeled ''A340-213X''. The range for this version is {{convert|15000|km|nmi mi}}.

As of March 2024, all but two of the active remaining A340-200s still flying were VIP or government planes. [[Conviasa]] and [[Mahan Air]] are the only remaining commercial operators of the type.{{Cn|date=August 2024}}

===A340-300===
[[File:Airbus A340-313X, Lufthansa AN1896162.jpg|thumb|[[Lufthansa]] Airbus A340-300 from above]]

The A340-300 flies 295 passengers in a typical three-class cabin layout over {{convert|6700|nmi}}. This is the initial version, having flown on 25 October 1991, and it entered service with Lufthansa and Air France in March 1993. It is powered by four CFMI [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-5C]] engines and uses the Honeywell 331–350[A] APU,<ref name="Product Catalog"/> similar to the version used on the −200. The A340-300 was superseded by the [[Airbus A350|A350-900]].<ref name=ser>[http://www.forecastinternational.com/samples/F611_CompleteSample.pdf "The Market for Large Commercial Jet Transports 2011–2020"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929135933/http://www.forecastinternational.com/samples/F611_CompleteSample.pdf |date=29 September 2011 }}. Forecast International, July 2011.</ref> Its closest competitor was the [[Boeing 777-200ER]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aspireaviation.com/2010/12/08/boeing-777-way-much-better-than-a330/|title=Boeing: 777 way much better than A330|date=8 December 2010}}</ref> A total of 218 -300s were delivered.

The A340-300E, often mislabelled as A340-300'''X''', has an increased [[Maximum Takeoff Weight|MTOW]] of up to {{convert|275|t|lb}} and is powered by the more powerful {{cvt|34000|lbf|kN}} thrust CFMI [[CFM International CFM56|CFM56-5C4]] engines. Typical range with 295 passengers is between {{convert|7200|and|7400|nmi}}. The largest operator of this type is [[Lufthansa]], who has operated a fleet of 30 aircraft. The A340-300 Enhanced is the latest version of this model and was first delivered to [[South African Airways]] in 2003, with [[Air Mauritius]] receiving the A340-300 Enhanced into its fleet in 2006. It received newer CFM56-5C4/P engines and improved [[avionics]] and [[fly-by-wire]] systems developed for the A340-500 and −600.

As of March 2024, there were 61 Airbus A340-300s in airline service.{{Cn|date=August 2024}}

===A340-500===
[[File:A6-ERF Airbus A340 Emirates (7604169374).jpg|thumb|Slightly longer than the −300, the −500 has a larger wing, larger [[Rolls-Royce Trent 500]] turbofans and three 4-wheel bogies for the main landing gear, it was introduced by [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] in 2003.]]

When the A340-500 was introduced, it was the world's longest-range commercial airliner. It first flew on 11 February 2002 and was certified on 3 December 2002. [[Air Canada]] was supposed to be the launch customer but filed for bankruptcy in January 2003, delaying delivery to March. This allowed early deliveries to the new launch customer, [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]], allowing the carrier to launch nonstop service from Dubai to New York—its first route in the Americas. The A340-500 can fly 313 passengers in a three-class cabin layout over 16020&nbsp;km (8650&nbsp;nm). Compared with the A340-300, the −500 features a {{convert|4.3|m|ft|adj=on|1}} fuselage stretch, an enlarged wing, a significant increase in fuel capacity (around 50% larger than the −300), slightly higher [[cruising speed]], a larger [[Tailplane|horizontal stabiliser]] and a larger [[Empennage|vertical tailplane]]. The centerline main landing gear was changed to a four-wheel bogie to support the additional weight. The A340-500 is powered by four {{cvt|240|kN|lbf}} thrust [[Rolls-Royce Trent 500|Rolls-Royce Trent 553]] turbofans and uses the Honeywell 331–600[A] APU.<ref name="https">{{cite web|url=https://commerce.honeywell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ECategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10651&categoryId=31954&langId=-1 |access-date=18 November 2010 |title=Product Catalog |publisher=Honeywell |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712215900/https://commerce.honeywell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ECategoryDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=10651&categoryId=31954&langId=-1 |archive-date=12 July 2011}}</ref>

Designed for [[ultra long-haul|ultra-long-haul]] routes, the −500 has a range of 9,000 nautical miles.<ref name=500specs>{{cite web |title=A340-500 Specifications |publisher=Airbus |url=http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a340family/a340-500/specifications/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122085922/http://www.airbus.com/aircraftfamilies/passengeraircraft/a340family/a340-500/specifications/ |archive-date=22 January 2011}}</ref> Due to its range, the −500 is capable of travelling non-stop from [[Heathrow Airport|London]] to [[Perth Airport|Perth, Western Australia]], though a return flight requires a fuel stop due to [[headwind]]s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/jun/29/theairlineindustry.travelnews|date=29 June 2004|access-date=3 February 2010|title=Record longest flight flies in the face of its critics|work=The Guardian |location=UK |first=Andrew |last=Clark}}</ref> [[Singapore Airlines]] used this model (initially in a two-class 181-passenger layout, later in a 100-passenger business-only layout) between early 2004 and late 2013 for its [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark]]–[[Singapore Changi Airport|Singapore]] and Singapore–Newark [[non-stop flight|nonstop routes]] [[Singapore Airlines Flights 21 and 22|SQ21 and SQ22]]. The former was an 18-hour, 45-minute 'westbound' (actually a [[polar route]] northbound to 130&nbsp;km (70&nbsp;nm) across the North Pole, then south across Russia, [[Mongolia]] and the People's Republic of China) and the latter was an 18-hour, 30-minute eastbound, {{convert|15344|km|nmi mi}} journey. At the time, the flight was the longest-scheduled [[Non-stop flight|non-stop commercial flight]] in the world.<ref name="CNN long flight">{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2004/BUSINESS/06/28/singapore.airline/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225022217/http://edition.cnn.com/2004/BUSINESS/06/28/singapore.airline/|archive-date=25 December 2007|title=Singapore Air makes longest flight|publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name=BloombergJBachman>{{cite news|last1=Bachman|first1=Justin|title=The End of the World's Longest Nonstop Flights|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-10-21/singapore-airlines-ends-longest-commercial-flights-from-newark-and-los-angeles|access-date=6 April 2017|agency=Bloomberg|date=21 October 2013}}</ref> [[Singapore Airlines]] even added a special compartment to the aircraft to store a corpse if a passenger were to die during the flight, though it was reported that its use had not been necessary.<ref>{{cite news |title=Airline's new fleet includes a cupboard for corpses |author=Andrew Clark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/may/11/theairlineindustry.travelnews |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 May 2004 |access-date=11 May 2012}}</ref><ref name=BloombergJBachman/> Singapore Airlines suspended operating the flight from 2013 onwards partly due to high fuel prices at that time and returned its aircraft to Airbus in exchange for ordering new [[Airbus A350]] aircraft.<ref name=BloombergJBachman/> The SQ21/SQ22 route was eventually resumed, flown by [[A350-900ULR]] aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/ca/media-centre/press-release/article/?q=en_UK/2018/April-June/ne2018-180530|title=Singapore Airlines To Launch World's Longest Commercial Flights|website=Singapore Airlines}}</ref>

The A340-500IGW (Increased Gross Weight) version has a range of {{cvt|17000|km|nmi mi}} and a [[Maximum Takeoff Weight|MTOW]] of {{cvt|380|t|lb}} and first flew on 13 October 2006. It uses the strengthened structure and enlarged fuel capacity of the A340-600. The certification aircraft, a de-rated A340-541 model, became the first delivery to [[Thai Airways International]], on 11 April 2007.<ref>[http://www.jetphotos.net/census/aircraft2.php?msnid=A330/40-775 Jetphotos Airbus A340-541HGW HS-TLD] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919184634/http://www.jetphotos.net/census/aircraft2.php?msnid=A330%2F40-775 |date=19 September 2016}} JetPhotos.net</ref> Nigerian airline [[Arik Air]] received a pair of A340-542s in November 2008, using the type to launch two new routes immediately [[Lagos]]–London Heathrow and Lagos–Johannesburg; a non-stop Lagos–New York route began in January 2010.<ref name="Kingfisher Purchases Five Airbus A340-500">[http://www.flykingfisher.com/media-center/archives.aspx Kingfisher Purchases Five Airbus A340-500] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012094629/http://www.flykingfisher.com/media-center/archives.aspx |date=12 October 2014}} ''[[flykingfisher.com]]''</ref><ref>{{Cite press release|title=Kingfisher grows its Airbus fleet with purchase of five A340-500|publisher=Airbus|date=24 April 2006|url=http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release/detail/kingfisher-grows-its-airbus-fleet-with-purchase-of-five-a340-500/news-period/1143842400/2591999/archived/news-category/press_release/|access-date=10 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203234248/http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release/detail/kingfisher-grows-its-airbus-fleet-with-purchase-of-five-a340-500/news-period/1143842400/2591999/archived/news-category/press_release/|archive-date=3 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The A340-500IGW is powered by four {{cvt|250|kN|lbf}} thrust [[Rolls-Royce Trent 500|Rolls-Royce Trent 556]] turbofans.

The A340-500 proved to be unpopular with customers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leehamnews.com/2013/12/08/airbus-engine-oems-make-the-case-for-a340-future/|title=Airbus, engine OEMs make the case for A340 future – Leeham News and Comment|date=8 December 2013}}</ref> This was primarily attributed to its perceived inefficiency, as it carried a relatively low number of passengers while still retaining most of the heavy structural elements of its larger sibling, the A340-600, from which it was derived. Furthermore, operating in the specialized [[ultra long-haul]] market proved challenging, given the substantial fuel load required for such extended flights, making it a segment where profitability was hard to achieve.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

As of May 2025, there are no longer any commercial A340-500 in service.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jacopo Prisco |title=The Airbus A340 airplane was built to rule long-haul travel. Now it's vanishing from the skies |url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/the-a340-vanishing/ |website=CNN |publisher=[[CNN]] |access-date=15 May 2024 |language=English |date=3 May 2024 }}</ref> The remaining A340-500 are currently operating private service or as government planes, such as [[Las Vegas Sands]] and [[Qatar Amiri Flight]].

===A340-600===
[[File:A- 340- 600 (5811453390).jpg|thumb|The A340-600 has five doors per side, as seen here on a since-retired [[Iberia (airline)|Iberia]] aircraft.]]

Designed to replace early-generation [[Boeing 747]]-200/300 airliners, the A340-600 can carry 379 passengers in a three-class cabin layout for {{cvt|13900|km|nmi mi}}. It provides a passenger capacity similar to a 747 but with 25 per cent more cargo volume and lower trip and seat costs. The first flight of the A340-600 was made on 23 April 2001.{{sfn|Norris|Wagner |2001|p={{page needed|date=July 2020}}}} [[Virgin Atlantic]] began commercial services in August 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VIRGIN ATLANTIC'S A340-600 – THE LONGEST PLANE IN THE WORLD – TAKES ITS FIRST COMMERCIAL FLIGHT |website=Asiatraveltips.com |date=1 August 2002 |url= http://www.asiatraveltips.com/travelnews2002/1August2002Virgin.shtml |access-date=3 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Virgin Atlantic's A340-600 – the Longest Plane in the World – Takes its First Commercial Flight |via=Pressreleasenetwork.com |date=5 August 2002 |url=http://www.pressreleasenetwork.com/pr-2002/aug/mainpr2006.htm |access-date=3 December 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101127141357/http://pressreleasenetwork.com/pr-2002/aug/mainpr2006.htm |archive-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The variant's main competitor is the [[Boeing 777|777-300ER]]. The A340-600 was replaced by the [[Airbus A350|A350-1000]].
[[File:D-AIHI cockpit.jpg|thumb|The flight deck of an A340-642 operated by [[Lufthansa]], showing some more modern equipments compared to the older A340-200/300. ]]
The A340-600 is {{cvt|12|m|ftin|1}} longer than a −300, more than {{cvt|4|m|ftin|1}} longer than the [[Boeing 747-400]] and {{cvt|2.3|m|ftin|1}} longer than the [[Airbus A380|A380]], and has two emergency exit doors added over the wings. It held the record for the world's longest commercial aircraft until the first flight of the [[Boeing 747-8]] in February 2010. The A340-600 is powered by four {{cvt|250|kN|lbf}} thrust [[Rolls-Royce Trent 500|Rolls-Royce Trent 556]] turbofans and uses the [[Honeywell]] 331–600[A] APU.<ref name="https"/> As with the −500, it has a four-wheel [[Landing gear|undercarriage]] bogie on the fuselage centre-line to cope with the increased [[MTOW]] along with the enlarged wing and rear empennage. Upper deck [[aircraft cabin|main cabin]] space can be optionally increased by locating facilities such as crew rest areas, [[Galley (kitchen)|galleys]], and [[Toilet#Lavatory|lavatories]] upon the aircraft's lower deck. In early 2007, Airbus reportedly advised carriers to reduce cargo in the forward section by {{cvt|5.0|t|lb}} to compensate for overweight first and business-class sections; the additional weight caused the aircraft's centre of gravity to move forward, thus reducing cruise efficiency. Affected airlines considered filing compensation claims with Airbus.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1624119.ece |date=7 April 2007 |access-date=7 April 2007 |title=Carriers ponder compensation claims against Airbus for overweight aircraft |location=London |work=[[The Times]] |first=David |last=Robertson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408185427/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/engineering/article1624119.ece |archive-date=8 April 2007 }}</ref>

The A340-600HGW (''H''igh ''G''ross ''W''eight) version first flew on 18 November 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/11_18_05_A340600.html|date=18 November 2005|access-date=6 August 2006|title=New A340-600 takes to the skies |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060519212124/http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/11_18_05_A340600.html |archive-date= 19 May 2006}}</ref> and was certified on 14 April 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_04_14_certifies_a3400600.html|title=Newly certified A340-600 brings 18% higher productivity|date=14 April 2006|access-date=6 August 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060616190914/http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_04_14_certifies_a3400600.html |archive-date= 16 June 2006}}</ref> It has an [[MTOW]] of {{cvt|380|t|lb}} and a range of up to {{cvt|14630|km|nmi mi}}, made possible by strengthened structure, increased fuel capacity, more powerful engines, and new manufacturing techniques like [[laser beam welding]]. The A340-600HGW is powered by four {{cvt|61900|lbf|kN}} thrust [[Rolls-Royce Trent]] 560 turbofans. [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] became the launch customer for the −600HGW when it ordered 18 at the 2003 [[Paris Air Show]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_16_03_Emirates.html|access-date=6 August 2006|title=Emirates orders 41 additional Airbus aircraft|date=16 June 2003 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060519212130/http://www.airbus.com/en/presscentre/pressreleases/pressreleases_items/06_16_03_Emirates.html |archive-date= 19 May 2006}}</ref> but postponed its order indefinitely and later cancelled it. Rival [[Qatar Airways]], which placed its order at the same airshow, took delivery of only four aircraft, with the first aircraft on 11 September 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qatarairways.com/global/en/homepage.html?id=0,2773,0,0,1,0&tab=5 |title=Qatar Airways First Airbus A340-600 Arrives in Doha}} www.qatarairways.com</ref> The airline has since let its purchase options expire in favour of orders for the Boeing 777-300ER.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/First-Boeing-jet-of-many-touches-down-in-Qatar-1257290.php |title=First Boeing jet of many touches down in Qatar| access-date=2 July 2011 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer| first1=James| last1=Wallace| first2=P-I| last2=Aerospace| date=29 November 2007}}</ref>

As of March 2024, there were 33 A340-600s in service with nine airlines worldwide.{{Cn|date=August 2024}}

===Military designations===
;B.L.19
:({{langx|th|บ.ล.๑๙}}) [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] designation for the A340-541.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>