Aircraft overview

The Airbus A340 is a long range, four engine widebody jet built by Airbus for intercontinental passenger service. It first flew in 1991, entered airline service in 1993, and remained in production until 2011. Developed alongside the twin engine A330, the A340 was designed for routes where four engine redundancy and very long range were valuable, particularly before extended twin operations became dominant. It matters in the used market because it offers true widebody cabin volume, long sector capability, and comparatively low acquisition prices, balanced against higher fuel and maintenance exposure than newer twin engine aircraft.

Performance & specifications

Typical cruise speed is about Mach 0.82, approximately 470 knots, depending on weight, altitude, and variant. Published range varies significantly: the A340-300 is commonly cited around 7,300 nautical miles, the A340-500 around 9,000 nautical miles, and the A340-600 around 7,900 nautical miles. Certified ceiling is typically 41,000 feet. Payload also varies by model and cabin fit, with maximum payload generally in the broad range of about 90,000 to 125,000 lb. A340-200 and A340-300 aircraft use CFM International CFM56-5C engines, while the longer range A340-500 and larger A340-600 use Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines.

Cabin & avionics

The A340 cabin is a twin aisle widebody layout, commonly configured for roughly 250 to 375 passengers in airline service, with higher density layouts possible. The A340-600 has a notably long cabin and was often used on premium long haul routes with substantial business class and galley space. Avionics are Airbus commercial flight deck systems, not Garmin general aviation suites. Typical equipment includes Airbus fly-by-wire controls, EFIS displays, flight management systems, ECAM monitoring, autoland capability when properly equipped and maintained, plus operator dependent communications and navigation upgrades such as ADS-B, FANS, CPDLC, satellite communications, and modernized cabin entertainment systems.

Buying & value

Used A340 buyers should focus on engine condition, life limited parts, landing gear status, auxiliary power unit history, heavy check timing, cabin reconfiguration cost, avionics compliance, and long term parts support. The A340-300 is the most common used variant and is often positioned as a lower cost long range widebody. The A340-500 is a niche ultra long range aircraft with a smaller operator base. The A340-600 offers high capacity and range but carries higher operating complexity and Rolls-Royce Trent 500 cost considerations. Market values are typically discounted versus newer twin engine widebodies, reflecting fuel burn, four engine maintenance, and narrower airline demand.