Description:
The Airbus A340 is a four-engine, wide-body, non-stop long/ultra-long range airliner capable of carrying between 240 and 380 passengers over a range of up to 16,000 kilometers (8,600 nautical miles). It provides a high degree of comfort thanks to its spacious layout. The first ever A340 airliner, an A340-300 model, entered service in 1993.
Externally, the A340 is similar to the Airbus A330 excepting for the number of engines because both were developed simultaneously by Airbus to meet the requirements of long range and ultra-long range commercial aviation in the 200- to 400-seat category. The A330/340 family features optimized performance and design for lower operating costs.
The A340 airliner currently can be powered by Rolls Royce's Trent 500 (A340-500 and A340-600), or CFMI's CFM56-5C (A340-200 and A340-300) engines. In addition to its seating capacity, the A340 airliner can transport cargo (pallets or/and containers) thanks to its voluminous underfloor holds.
The Airbus A340-600 and the A340-500 were launched as additional models of the A340 family featuring non-stop ultra-long range. The A340-500 is powered by four Rolls Royce's Trent 500 engines which enable to fly over a range of 13,900 kilometers with a seating capacity of 380 passengers in a three-class cabin layout.
The first Airbus A340-600 entered service in 2002. The A340-600 evolved from the -300 model having a stretched fuselage over the -300 and -500 models and the higher seating capacity and comfort of the A330/340 family of airliners.
On 5 August 2004, Virgin Atlantic Airways agreed to take delivery of 13 new Airbus A340-600s firm orders with an option on 13 more. The Trent 500 engine powered airliners should be delivered beginning in the first half of 2006. The latest commitment will take Virgin Atlantic's A340-600 fleet to 25 aircraft (12 -600s ordered previously), and to 38 with the exercise of the options.
On August 27, 2004, Thai Airways International ordered six Airbus A380 double decker airliners with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2009 and continue through 2009. Thai also placed an order for one additional A340-500 and A340-600 of each type to be delivered in 2007 and 2008 respectively. The Airbus A340s will be powered by Trent 500 engines.
Lufthansa of Germany signed a contract for a further seven Airbus A340-600 long-range jetliners powered by Trent 500 engines on December 20, 2004. The seven aircraft will be delivered between 2006 and 2007.
On 17 June 2005, a private non-governmental business group of Saudi Arabia ordered an Airbus A340-600 ultra long range aircraft to be delivered in late 2006.
On April 14, 2006 Airbus announced the achievement of flight certification for the 380 tons A340-600 variant from European Aviation and Safety Agency (EASA). This variant joins A380 technology and latest Rolls Royce Trent 500 engine developments to achieve a 380-passenger seating capacity and a maximum range of 7,900 nautical miles. First aircraft deliveries were scheduled for summer 2006 to Qatar Airways.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 2, Passengers 380
Dimensions: Height 17.3 m, Length 75 m, Wingspan 63.5 m
Weights: Max Weight 380 t, Min Weight 177 t, Payload 55,600 kg (122,575 lb)
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 224,000 lb (101,606 kg)
Performance: Max Range 14,600 km (7,883 nm), Top Speed 286 mps (Mach 0.86)
Argentina
Canada
China / 3 
Egypt
Germany / 24 
Qatar
Aircraft ordered by Qatar Airways (4)
Saudi Arabia / 1 
South Africa
Spain
Aircraft ordered by Iberia
Switzerland
Thailand / 6 
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom / 25 