Aircraft overview
The Airbus A340 is a four-engine wide-body airliner for long-range passenger transport. Its twin-aisle cabin, four underwing turbofans and related Airbus cockpit distinguish the original -200 and -300 generation.
Developed alongside the twin-engine A330, the A340 shares the basic fuselage, wing and tail concept and extensive cockpit commonality. Its extra engines and different loading limits make it a distinct aircraft, rather than an A330 with interchangeable performance figures.
Photograph: Aero Icarus · 5 April 2003 · Photo source: 220fr - Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-311, G-VBUS@LHR,05.04.2003 - Flickr - Aero Icarus · CC BY-SA 2.0
At a glance
Airbus A340-300 · original-generation geometry and named WV000 planning weight example
- Engines
- Four CFM56-5C turbofansEngine version follows the full aircraft model suffix.
- Flight crew
- Two pilotsPilot and co-pilot.
- Length /wingspan
- 63.66 m /60.30 mType-certificate reference dimensions for the -300.
- Outside fuselage diameter
- 5.64 mExterior dimension shared by the original families.
- Maximum take-off /landing weight
- 253,500 kg /186,000 kgWV000 planning configuration; other weight variants differ.
- Passenger cabin example
- 335 · two classes30 first-class and 305 economy seats.
In Air Defender
Role guidance · v0.8.16.0
Air Defender v0.8.16.0 lists the Airbus A340 as a Commercial Airliner. Its general record is separate from these real-aircraft model and weight configurations.
Compare this aircraft with the A330, then use Aircraft Data with flight-plan information for the contact you are investigating.
Game catalogue values · v0.8.16.0
In-game specifications
These figures come from the game’s general aircraft reference. A matching civilian register entry can supply different fields in Aircraft Data. How to read the two layouts →
- Role
- Commercial Airliner
- Category
- Wide-body Airliner
- Service ceiling
- 41,450 ftA reference upper height. Read Flight Info for the contact’s present height.
- Maximum speed
- 513 knotsA reference maximum, not the speed the aircraft is flying now.
- Cruise speed
- 470 knotsA typical speed for the main part of a flight, not a guaranteed commanded speed.
- Stall speed
- 140 knotsA reference for specified conditions. Stalling means the wing loses lift, not that an engine stops.
- Typical crew
- 2
- Powerplant
- Four turbofan engines (CFM56) Compare engine types →
- Manufacturer
- Airbus (Europe)
Use the right procedure
In depth
A joint wide-body programme
The A330/A340 programme brought related twin- and four-engine designs to the wide-body market. The shared basic airframe concept was matched by extensive cockpit-system commonality, including links with the smaller A320 family.
Cross-crew qualification allowed pilots already trained on one Airbus type to qualify on another with a shorter conversion course. Commonality supports training and fleet operation; it does not make the aircraft’s engines or loading limits identical.
Engine versions and model suffixes
The A340-311 uses CFM56-5C2-series engines, the -312 uses -5C3 versions and the -313 uses -5C4 versions. Four engines are fitted. Approved modifications can change the installation, so the full suffix remains part of the engine description.
The engine rating belongs to its approved installation and operating condition. Engine options and modifications vary within the original family.
Cabin and lower holds
One two-class A340-300 cabin layout has 335 passenger seats: 30 first-class and 305 economy. Its economy layout places two seats, four seats and two seats across the cabin, divided by two aisles.
Containerised cargo and baggage occupy forward and aft lower holds, with a separate bulk area. Cabin layouts can change the passenger count without changing the basic aircraft family.
Weight variants and loading
The A340-300 WV000 example has a 253,500 kg take-off limit, 186,000 kg landing limit and 174,000 kg zero-fuel limit. Other weight variants carry different approved limits.
A weight-variant code identifies a set of loading limits within the type. An aircraft with more passenger seats or an optional fuel arrangement still has to remain within its applicable limits.
Shorter and later family members
The A340-200 is shorter than the -300. Both belong to the original CFM56-powered generation. The later -500 and -600 are separate developments with their own engines, dimensions and loading limits.
The -500 and -600 were approved after 1998.
Variants
A340-200
Shorter original-generation, four-engine family member.
A340-300
Original-generation long-body model with CFM56-5C engines.
A340-500 /-600
Later derivatives with approvals beginning in 2002.
After 1998
2002 · A340-500 and -600
The A340-642 received its original type approval on 21 May 2002; the A340-541 followed on 3 December 2002.