Airbus A340-500

The Airbus A340-500 was developed as an ultra-long-range variant capable of flying the world's longest commercial routes. Launched in 2002 and entering service with Emirates in December 2003, the A340-500 featured a fuselage shortened from the -300, more powerful Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines, and additional fuel capacity. It could fly up to 16,670 km (9,000 nm), enabling nonstop flights like Singapore to Los Angeles and New York to Singapore. Singapore Airlines operated the world's longest commercial flight (18+ hours) using the A340-500. Only 34 were produced before production ended in 2011 due to poor economics compared to twin-engine alternatives.