Airbus A340

The Airbus A340 is a wide-body four-engine jet airliner that was developed alongside the twin-engine A330, sharing 95% parts commonality. First flown in 1991 and entering service in 1993, the A340 was designed for ultra-long-haul routes where ETOPS restrictions limited twin-engine operations. The family includes four variants: A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600. With 377 aircraft delivered between 1993 and 2011, the A340 served airlines on the world's longest routes. However, advances in twin-engine reliability, ETOPS regulations, and fuel efficiency led to its decline. Production ended in 2011 as airlines favored more economical twin-engine alternatives like the A350 and Boeing 777.