Written by Agnel Jenson A. Paul for Jetstream Magazine.

Often associated with long-haul luxury and seen as a technological marvel of its time, the Airbus A340 now finds itself on the edge of extinction.

Airlines across the world are quickly retiring their four-engine workhorses in favor of more efficiently packaged twinjets. The A340's majestic silhouette is becoming a rarer sight, both in Europe — where most of its primary customers were based — and across the globe.

A Long-Haul Dream from Europe

The development of the A340 began before the full maturity of ETOPS (Extended Twin-Engine Operations Performance Standards) certification requirements. At the time, if airlines wanted to fly long routes over the ocean, they were limited to aircraft with more than two engines. 

Airbus was still new to these requirements, especially compared to the well-established American manufacturers. Its earlier lineup included the A300, A310, and A320, which were very successful in the short- to medium-haul market. This success motivated Airbus to make its first serious attempt to challenge Boeing and McDonnell Douglas in the intercontinental market with the A340. Despite its size, the A340 was developed as a suitable alternative to the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and Boeing 747. While the 747 offered high capacity, it was also very large and fuel-hungry. Airbus identified a niche for a slightly smaller, more efficient four-engine long-haul aircraft.

Unlock the full story.

Subscribe to keep reading, or read for free with ads (metered).

Learn More or Log in