The Fall Of The Airbus A340

The Airbus A340 debuted as an aircraft attempting to push the plane maker further into markets traditionally dominated by Boeing. While the aircraft amassed orders, it wasn't the commercial hit Airbus may have imagined. This is the story of how the Airbus A340 slowly but surely became favoured no more.
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#aviation #news #flight #aircraft #avgeek #airplane #airlines #airport #planespotting #airbus #boeing

[@stradivarioushardhiantz5179]

Passengers love them❤

[@ccudmore]

Good timing to post this. I just had a Hi Fly Malta A340 fly over my house 5 minutes ago. Wondered what the noisy airplane was. Odd sighting.

[@wernersalzl1650]

Evvive el A-340!

[@Sacto1654]

I completely agree that the A340 was a plane that just missed out on being a huge success. People forget that ETOPS 180 certification had come to the Boeing 767-200(ER) and 767-300(ER) and the Airbus A300B4-600R and A310-300 by 1986, so it made longer-range twin-engined flights far more viable. And the final nail in the coffin for the A340 was the arrival of the Boeing 777 in 1995, which had ETOPS 180 certification "out of the box." Small wonder why Airbus was reluctant to build the A330-200 due to fears of impinging on A340 sales, but once it was offered it became a huge success for long-distance transoceanic flights.

[@skylineXpert]

I still remember my last a340. AF499 SXM-CDG November 2019. The memories of maho beach & yes the jet blast from some of the planes are really nasty.

[@r12004rewy]

May of had It's faults and unfortunately wasn't the success that Airbus had hoped for but the 340-600 will go down as one of the most stunning looking passenger aircraft of time, to see one today is a relatively rare event but once seen its never forgotten.

[@747forever9]

Love this thanks Dj!!

[@hungo7720]

The a340 is the most underpowered widebody ever manufactured. Its gas-guzzling engines really undermine the shift towards more fuel-efficient jets of airlines. As a result, it should be phased out to make room for more efficient aircrafts such as the 787, a350 or the future 777x ( if Boeing can expedite the certification of this aircraft type).

[@johndwilson6111]

I'm surprised Airbus didn't just convert from four to two engines to save some time and grab a bit more market share. 🤔

[@hungo7720]

@@johndwilson6111 such drastic change would alter the a340's aerodynamics and require years of certification processes. A shift towards brand new aircraft type such as the a350 would be more worthwhile for Airbus from an economical standpoint.

[@johndwilson6111]

@hungo7720 good point. It makes sense from that perspective. 😊 thanks.

[@ShinzouWoSateSateSate]

Only the -200 and -300 are underpowered

[@normanmcleod7169]

A very quiet, comfortable and reliable 'plane for the passenger.

[@grahambaker6664]

I agree. There was something reassuring about being on the A340 when the one I was on had an engine fail halfway between Perth and Johannesburg and knowing we still had 3 engines operating.

[@geeniusatwrok]

The A345 was (they're all gone now I think) the sexiest big airliner ever. The 346 was soooo looong it looked pulled like taffy.

[@jamesjackson9098]

Disappointing pretty content free. You didnt tell me anything I did not already know. The oil price shock really ruined the economics and the 777 did the rest

[@johndwilson6111]

Why not reminisce a bit.😊

[@jessicanicolebelmonte6252]

I remember observing the A340-200/300 at international airports in the early 2000s, and having the feeling that they seemed to be really under-powered with the tiny jet engines. This feeling was even more pronounced when there was an A330 or a B767 parked at the next gate right beside it. The -500 and -600 variants with the bigger fans give a more balanced appearance.

[@tomosb95]

The A340 only failed because the FAA changed rules benefiting the big twins like the B777. As the A340=300 shares the same wing as the A330 all the design changes made to enhance the A340 were carried across to the A330 making it the fantastic plane it is today. The A330 is the new A340, the A330neo being a brilliant alternative even to the B787.

[@user-us7it8gn4e]

Spot on! The Americans changed the rules making it uncompetitive. That’s why it was not as successful. I am glad Airbus produced the A330 at the same time. It’s still probably my favourite airplane!

[@Toby-bm4nn]

Thankyou for that Airbus infomercial.!!!

[@Charles-sn7zy]

EASA did the exact same thing for the 777 one year later granting the 180 ETOPS rating eventually going up to 240 and so on.. Get off your high horse, The reason why is that the quad engine 340 simply wasn't as efficient as the 777 and future twins like your own A350 !!! Get over it ..

[@toms1348]

​@user-us7it8gn4e , "Americans changed the rules". As if it was the the United State's fault that the 340 was an inefficient, underpowered aircraft from the start. EASA in concert with the FAA established ETOPs parameters...which made way for the development of the 777, A330, 787, A350, etc. There wasn't some nefarious scheme by the Americans to do away with the A340...goog grief.

[@CB3Pete]

​@@toms1348EXACTLY !!!!!

[@StormFanatic210]

I’ve seen the A340-300 and A340-600 in person. I have video and photos of the A340-600 from 2013. Wasn’t quick enough to get any with the A340-300. Both were part of the Lufthansa Fleet.

[@r12004rewy]

Still are

[@stevenholt1867]

also the MD-11 trijet

[@BenShiraz]

If the A340 wasnt so unlucky, it MIGHT HAVE done better

[@billypratt4201]

Too big....... Simple answer