What the Airbus a 340 600 looks like. The history of the Airbus A340. A340 - versions and modifications

The Airbus A340 is a wide-body long-haul passenger airliner developed by Airbus Industrie and began operation in 1993.

Interior overview and location map of the best seats

The passenger cabin of the Airbus A340 has a three-class layout and can accommodate from 261 (A340-200 modification) to 419 passengers (A340-600 modification).

The first-class cabin of the Airbus A340 can be represented by the number of seats from 6 to 8, located in one row (as shown in the diagram, this is row 1), or in two rows, which, if necessary, can be folded out and turned into comfortable beds. On some aircraft, these seats are equipped as cozy, closed compartments with doors. First-class passengers are provided with an exquisite menu, Internet, USB charging for mobile devices, comfortable screens and a multimedia entertainment system - in short, a full range for the flight to be as comfortable as possible.

However, it should be noted that first-class seats located in the first row can have a number of disadvantages. The main inconvenience is that these places are located near the galleys and toilets, which ensures a steady flow of passengers and service personnel during the day and night. The bustle around these places, slamming doors and lights at night can seriously interfere with a relaxed and calm rest. When purchasing tickets in the first class of the Airbus A340, this should be taken into account.

Business class seats are located next to the first class cabin. According to the scheme, these places are located from 2 to 5 rows. Airbus A340 Business Class features comfortable and soft seating, equipped with comfortable armrests and screens mounted on the backrests of the opposite seats. The menu here, of course, is not the same as for the first class, but, nevertheless, it is tasty and restaurant-like. Business Class has enough space to stretch out your legs, and the seats can also be folded out and converted into beds for good rest. In addition, business class seats have a set of socks and blindfolds so that nothing could interfere with the restful sleep of passengers.

The most unsuccessful seats for business class are those located in the back row (row 5 according to the diagram), that is, directly adjacent to the toilets and the galley. These places are also associated with a constant flow of people and a hustle and bustle that interferes with a good rest.

Behind the business class is the cabin for economy class passengers. Economy class seats are located from rows 10 to 46. This class is characterized by soft comfortable seats, the distance between which is a little more than 80 cm, which usually does not cause inconvenience even for tall passengers, three rows of seats in the "2-4-2" version and two fairly wide aisles in the middle of the cabin. The economy class seats of the Airbus A340 are equipped with an audio and video entertainment system and comfortable screens built into the backs of the seats opposite.

The most successful and convenient for the economy class airbus are the seats designated by letters A, B, K and L, located in row 31 according to the diagram. This is due to the fact that these places do not have other places in front of them, which significantly increases legroom for them, and the toilets are not close, which makes these places somewhat "away" from the general bustle and flow of passengers.

Economy class seats located in rows 10 and 30 are not a very good choice. The close location of toilets and utility rooms creates a lot of inconveniences for passengers located here. And, finally, the least successful for the economy class are seats 27 and 45 rows.

The history of the creation of the Airbus A340

Development of the Airbus A340 began in 1987. From the very beginning, the Airbus consortium positioned the future aircraft as a "brother" for the A320. Also, the new aircraft, named A340, was supposed to compete with the Boeing-747 as a long-haul passenger airliner. The first flight of the A340 (Airbus A340-300) was carried out on November 25, 1991, and already in 1993 the commercial use of the aircraft began.

The modification of the Airbus A340-500, presented as the longest-range aircraft in the world, was certified in December 2002, and its operation began in 2003. At the same time, the Airbus A340-600 was also being developed, which had the largest passenger capacity among the A340 family. The first flight of the Airbus A340-600 took place in April 2001, and in the summer of 2002 its commercial use began.

However, due to the lower efficiency of the aircraft compared to the Boeing aircraft, its demand began to decline significantly, especially with the rise in the price of aviation fuel. As a result of several attempts to reduce the A340's fuel consumption and increase its popularity, Airbus was forced to announce the termination of production of the Airbus in the fall of 2011.

Airbus A340 modifications

Airbus A340 has 4 modifications:

• Airbus A340-200 - is one of the first modifications of the airbus and has a passenger capacity of 261 people with a three-class layout of the passenger compartment. It is the shortest version of the A340. Has 4 CFM56-5C4 / P engines. Due to the small number of passengers that the aircraft was able to carry, its large wingspan and relatively high operating costs, the demand for the Airbus A340-200 was low, which is why it is currently discontinued.
• Airbus A340-300 is one of the very first aircraft modifications, the operation of which began in 1993. The passenger capacity of the Airbus A340-300 aircraft is 295 people. The aircraft is equipped with 4 CFM56-5C engines. Also, two additional versions of the Airbus A340-300 were developed: A340-313X (increased take-off weight) and A340-313E (installed CFM56-5C4s engines, thereby increasing take-off weight). Currently, the Airbus A340-300, like all aircraft of the A340 family, is not produced.
• Airbus A340-500 is an aircraft modification capable of carrying up to 313 passengers on board and capable of flying over a distance of 16 thousand kilometers. The A340-500 features a slightly larger fuselage, increased fuel reserves and a higher cruising speed.
• The Airbus A340-600 is a modification of the Airbus A340-600 with more powerful engines (Rolls-Royce Trent 556). It can carry up to 419 passengers in a two-class layout or up to 380 in a three-class layout. It is the second longest passenger aircraft in the world. The A340-600 also has a version of the A340-600HGW with increased take-off weight and range and more powerful engines (Rolls-Royce Trent 560).

Airplane overview and characteristics

The Airbus A340 is a wide-body monoplane. The wing is swept, cantilever. The fuselage of the airbus has a semi-monocoque design. The cross-section of the Airbus A340 fuselage is circular. The power plant of the aircraft is represented by 4 engines.

Airbus A340 specifications:

Conclusion

The Airbus A340 is a truly unique aircraft. Maximum flight range, aerodynamic characteristics and comfort have made this airbus a serious competitor to Boeing liners. The years of production and the beginning of operation of the aircraft coincided with the powerful development of international air transportation, in which the A340 is used to this day. However, the energy crisis and lower efficiency of the aircraft were decisive factors in the decision to stop its production. Nevertheless, today in many airlines you can find this humble worker of air passenger transportation.

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The A340-300 (aircraft code 343) began arriving at the airline in the early 90s. Long-haul destinations are served by airliners with six seating options. Four have all three classes, two lack the first class.

Lufthansa A340-300 interior layout

All location plans on the plane are enlarged by clicking.

8 First, 36 Business, 197 Economy. A total of 241 passengers in three classes. First - 8, Business - 36, Economy - 197

It is difficult to single out any places, calling them the best. The first row of business class 10A, C, D, G, H, K could be recommended, but it is adjacent to the dispenser. More legroom in Economy Class on seats 20A, C, D, E, G, H, K, 21D 21G, 29D, E, F, G, 30A, C, H, K. But the pleasing lack of a row in front will not allow you to shove carry-on luggage under the seat. Well, and of course, a folding tray table in such places is hidden in the armrest, and not in the back of the seat in front, and this causes some inconvenience.

8 First, 36 Business, 197 Economy

The same 241 passengers. Cabin layout: first class - 8, business - 36, economy - 197

The scheme hardly differs from the first option. The numbering is the same.

The total number of seats - 221. First class unchanged - 8, Business increased to 48 seats by reducing the economy - 160

Emergency exit in front of row 29. There is a whole block of toilets in the same area. The 29DEFGHK 30AC could be considered good Economy Class seats due to the large legroom, but this advantage is offset by the large flow of passengers in the five washrooms. But the 24th row is devoid of this drawback.

Sitting comfortably everywhere in business class. To stay near the porthole, you need to book a seat with letters A and K.

8 First, 48 Business, 165 Economy

The second variant with 221 passenger seats in three classes.

42 Business, 225 Economy

The first class is not provided. The total number of passengers on the flight - 267

In this version, all Economy Class seats with the letters A, D, G and K are deprived of legroom due to the installation of Rockwell Collins entertainment equipment under the seat.

The total number of rows is 46. The width of the seats in business is 20 "(51cm), the step is about 150cm. In the economy, the width of the seats is 45cm, and the step is 80cm.

From the reviews of tourists flying in the A340-300 Lufthansa in business class. If you are sitting by the window and want to go to the toilet, and your neighbor has spread out the chair and is resting, you will have to disturb the neighbor. You can leave the aisle only if the back of the chair is set in a vertical position. It may be necessary to purchase tickets for seats D and G.

Best Economy Class seats 15A 15C 15D 15E 15G 15H 15K. There are also windows and you can stretch your legs.

The backrests in the economy class recline by 113 degrees, in the business class by 165 degrees. Previously, business class had different seats. The new ones are more convenient, but not in the unfolded position. You won't get a good night's sleep. The backrest is not inclined enough to lie completely horizontal. It turns out neither one nor the other. You slide down.

For parents flying with children under 2 years old, it is better to take 29DEFG seats. The distance to the partition is sufficient for installing special cradles. If you are traveling with a newborn, these cots are perhaps the best thing that happened to you on a Lufthansa flight.

Convenient seats 30A and 30H. The seats near the windows are better not only because you can see the Alps, from the side, in the fuselage skin, there are boxes for storing personal items.

Last rows 45 and 46.

Aircraft type A346 (IKAO) and 346 (IATA). The aircraft with the longest fuselage ever built by Airbus and the most capacious in the family of three hundred forties. As of December 2010, airlines have ordered 97 aircraft, received 97, and 96 aircraft are in service.

With a total length of 75.3 meters, it can accommodate 360 \u200b\u200bpassengers in a three-class version, or 419 in a two-class configuration. This extra-long aircraft provides operators with unrivaled standards of space, comfort and convenience in every class of service.

The wide-body, four-engine Airbus A340-600 is also an ultra-long-range leader, with a range of almost fifteen thousand kilometers. Equipped for better economy on long haul routes, it offers unmatched operational flexibility for non-stop flights to more remote areas such as oceans or mountain ranges.

The four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines only use 56,000 pounds of their 60,000 pound rated thrust, making them last longer. In addition, the use of four motors, as opposed to two large motors, results in a 13 percent reduction in operating costs for operators.

In addition, the four A340-600 engines keep airlines from falling under the twin-engine airplane standards (ETOPS). This allows them to fly more direct routes, long distances over water, or to locations far from the airport. This saves time and reduces fuel consumption.

Specifications A340-600

Airbus A340 cabin

Business class cabin photo	Economy class salon	A340 passengers are allowed to use their own mobile phones, laptops and any other communication devices.
Innovative interior lighting designs help create the perfect ambiance on board, while the graceful contours of the cabin soften the light. LED lighting can be fine-tuned through five zones to suit the mood of the time of day and night, like sunrise and sunset. Reading lamps, also using LEDs, provide better light.

Air quality is a major factor in long-distance passenger transportation. For the A340, Airbus has developed one-touch screen air conditioning systems from the cockpit to ensure maximum passenger comfort.

In addition, high-efficiency filters provide clean air, trapping 99.9% of particles and organic matter.

The temperature on board the aircraft can be adjusted separately for eight zones in the cabin. This means that the crew can more easily respond to requests from individual passengers for temperature changes.

Airbus A340-600, this is one of the modifications of the four-engine family of wide-body A340 airliners designed for intercontinental passenger flights. The A340-600 is also the longest aircraft in this family. Its length is 75.36 meters, which is eleven meters longer than the base model, the A340-300, which is 63.69 meters long. The main purpose of the aircraft is to carry out intercontinental transatlantic passenger flights in order to compete with the American Boeing 747 airliner.

Commercial development of the A340-600 began in 1997.

Airbus A340-600 photo

Compared to the main, basic model, the A340-300, the six hundredth version, in addition to an elongated fuselage, has a larger span and a larger wing area, as well as more powerful and economical engines of the British company Rolls-Royce Group plc - Trent-556 with a thrust of 249 kN. The aircraft also increased its cruising speed and fuel capacity. To cope with the increased weight, the aircraft received an additional central, four-wheel landing gear.

Avionics, control and navigation devices, the EDSU (Fly-by-Wire) system are unified on the A340-600, that is, they are used the same as in all A340 and A330 airliners, which allows pilots to easily switch from one aircraft model of this family to the other.

The A340-600 passenger cabin in a three-class configuration can accommodate 380 passengers, in a two-class cabin 419 people and in an economical configuration can accommodate up to 440 passenger seats. At maximum load, the aircraft is capable of covering a distance of up to 14 thousand kilometers. The A340-600's cargo capacity is almost twice that of its American competitor Boeing 747.

For the first time the plane took off on April 23, 2001. Also in the same year, the aircraft was first demonstrated to the general public at the 44th International Aviation and Space Show in Le Bourget.

After 1600 hours of the flight test program, on May 29, 2002, the airliner received a certificate of airworthiness. And in August 2002, at the Farnborough International Airshow, the aircraft entered commercial service with the British airline Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd, which began operating it on long-haul routes between Britain, the United States, Australia and African countries.

The production of the A340-600 airliner, like practically the rest of the A340 family, was suspended in 2011, with the start of work on the new Airbus A350. In total, about 100 A340-600 aircraft were built.

Airbus A340-600 aircraft specifications

• First flight: April 23, 2001.
• Years of serial production: from 2001 to 2011
• Length: 75.36 m.
• Height: 17.30 m.
• Empty weight: 177,000 kg.
• Wing area: 439.40 m2
• Wingspan: 63.45 m.
• Cruising speed: 890 km / h.
• Maximum speed: 950 km / h.
• Ceiling: 12650 m.
• Maximum flight range: 14700 km.
• Takeoff run: 3100 m.
• Path length: 2100 m.
• Engines: 4 turbojet engines RR Trent-556 with thrust of 249 kN
• Crew: 2 people
• Number of passenger seats: seats in three classes 380 or 440 seats in economy class.

Airbus A340-600. Gallery.

Airbus A340-600 video

Airbus A340 - a four-engine jet wide-body passenger aircraft for long-haul transportation. 377 aircraft delivered.

History of the Airbus A340

The project of the A340 aircraft under the project name TA11 was first presented to the public in 1981. The A340 development program was launched in full force in June 1987.

The task of the project was to create on the basis of wide-body and large airliners with four engines. The advantage of the four engines was flight safety and ETOPS standards - the fact is that a twin-engine aircraft, in the event of an engine loss, lost half of its thrust and, according to flight rules, had to fly near alternate airfields, four-engine aircraft could fly without restrictions at any advantageous course - this in the American used full force.

In June 1995, during the next international aerospace exhibition in Paris, the Airbus consortium announced plans to develop a new modification of the A340-200 aircraft, capable of non-stop flights on routes over 14,000 km. During the development of the A340, the consortium first designed a version with a flight range of 12,400 km, which was identical in size. But an analysis of the prospects for the development of the world market showed that an increased demand for wide-body aircraft with a flight range of up to 14,000 km is expected. In this regard, Airbus began to create a modification of the A340-200, which differed in the fuselage length reduced by 4.26 m. The aircraft's passenger capacity was reduced, but the flight range was increased to 13,800 km.

Airbus A340 video: Aerolineas Argentinas arrives in Miami

Flight tests of the prototype A340 -300 began on October 25, 1991, and the A340 -200 in April 1992, and in May 1993 they received an FAA certificate. At the end of February 1993, the first A340-300 aircraft was received by Air France. In early February 1993 the first A340-200 joined the fleet of the German airline Lufthansa.

The first A340s were powered by CFM56-5C4 engines. The A340 took off for the first time in October 1991, and then the engineers discovered the first serious flaw in the aircraft: under the weight of four engines, the wings of the A340, taken from the twin-engine A330, constantly experienced excessive vibration and sagging during flight. To eliminate this defect, the wing was modified, and the wing plastron in the area of \u200b\u200bthe pylon attachment was significantly strengthened. In 1993, the aircraft entered service, with Lufthansa and Air France as the first customers.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the prices of aviation kerosene rose significantly and four engines per plane became an excessive luxury that the giants and the Boeing 747 could afford. In November 2011, Airbus announced the termination of production of the long-range A340 airliner. “We have not sold a single A340 in two years,” said the corporation's CFO Hans Peter Ring. He added that the plane could not stand the competition with.

Airbus A340 airframe

A340 is a monoplane with a cantilever swept wing. The high aspect ratio and the presence of aerodynamic end surfaces ensure efficient wing aerodynamics. Each console has flaps and, interestingly, seven sections of slats that span almost the entire length of the leading edge. Both the flaps and the slats were controlled automatically by the EDSU. Fuselage - semi-monocoque construction, round in cross-section. The aircraft has a retractable tricycle landing gear with an articulated suspension of wheel bogies. Nose stand - with twin steerable wheels. Each main strut is fitted with two two-wheeled tandem bogies. The cockpit of the aircraft is identical to that of other Airbus airliners. The main difference is the large size, devices for two more motors, a slightly modified ceiling panel. There are six multifunctional displays installed on the dashboard: external displays work as "flight displays" (primary information), and the middle ones - as navigation displays. Left and right side control knobs are installed.

Technology

A340 has such modern systems for its time as:

• Fully digital control system
• Side sticks (the correct name is Sidestick (Side-stick)) control instead of traditional steering wheels
• "Glass cabin" based on LCD-monitors
• Extensive use of composite materials

Modifications

In total, there are 4 variants of the aircraft: the A340-200 and A340-300 were developed in 1987 and entered service in March 1993, the A340-500 and A340-600 were developed in 1997 and entered service in 2002.

Airbus A340-200

One of the first two versions of the A340, the A340-200, is capable of carrying 261 passengers in a three-class cabin configuration for a distance of 12,400 kilometers. It is the shortest aircraft in the family and the only one with a wingspan greater than the length of the fuselage. The aircraft is equipped with four CFM56-5C4 / P engines. At the time of its creation, the A340-200 became one of the longest-range passenger aircraft, the main "specialty" of which was long-haul routes, especially over the ocean.

One of the first aircraft of this series was a special aircraft for the Sultan of Brunei, who ordered a car with a flight range of at least 8 thousand nautical miles. The aircraft was equipped with additional fuel tanks, the maximum take-off weight was 275 tons. The range of the A340-8000 was ultimately 8100 nautical miles (15 thousand kilometers). Unfortunately, this legendary car never got to the customer. Other A340-200 aircraft, later upgraded to the A340-8000 level, received the designation A340-213X.

The large wingspan, low passenger capacity, and fuel inefficiency made the aircraft unpopular with the world's largest airlines. In total, only 28 of these machines left the assembly line, of which a certain number were in the VIP version. А340-200 is out of production.

A340-300 in a three-class configuration takes on board 295 passengers. The flight range is 12,400 kilometers. The A340-300 was the first aircraft of the entire A340 family. The first flight took place in 1991, the A340-300 entered service in 1993. The aircraft is equipped with 4 CFM56-5C engines, identical to those installed on the A340-200.

A340-313X - a version with an increased take-off weight, first delivered by Singapore Airlines in 1995.

A340-313E is the latest version of the A340 delivered by Swiss Airlines in 2003. The maximum takeoff weight of the aircraft is 296.5 tons. Due to the installation of more powerful CFM56-5C4s engines, the flight range was increased to 13.5 thousand kilometers.

The aircraft is no longer in production. 219 vehicles have been ordered, 211 of which have already been delivered. The largest operator of the A340-300 is the German Lufthansa with 30 aircraft.

Production

By the end of September 2010, 374 aircraft had been delivered. On November 15, 2011, some Internet tabloids published a message about the exclusion of the long-haul passenger aircraft A340 from the catalog of available airliners. However, only the -200 modification was excluded from production.