ABSTRACT
The A330/A340 project is a twin program—the first time that an aircraft has been designed from the outset both with four engines and also with two engines. Both aircraft types have essentially the same passenger and freight capacity. The four-engined A340 is optimized for long-range missions, but is also efficient at shorter ranges. With two engines, the A330 offers even better operating economics for the missions where an airline does not need the very long range of the A340. The A340 is offered in two configurations, allowing operators to tailor capacity and capability to demand. The larger A340-300 has the same fuselage length as the A330 and, while seating 300–350 passengers, has seat-mile costs close to those of the latest 747, making it an economical alternative on long-range routes with lower traffic densities. While the A340 serves very long routes, the A330 is designed to serve high-growth, high-density regional routes.
