A340 production terminated

[akerosid]

Today, ironically on the day that Boeing has announced that construction work on the 1,000th had begun, Airbus formally announced that A340 production had terminated, after eighteen years.

True, the 777 won the battle of mid sized long haulers, but aviation enthusiasts will always have a place in their hearts for one of the most classically beautiful aircraft ever built; production may have ended, but long may it continue to fly.

JetPhotos.Net Photo » A6-EHD (CN: 783) Etihad Airways Airbus A340-541 by John Fitzpatrick (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=7140594)

[donnlass]

Thats a shame::{

A lovely graceful aircraft, love seeing them but especially at MAN, few and far between.

[Blink182]

looks even better when the wheels have been put away........:ok:

JetPhotos.Net Photo » B-6055 (CN: 586) China Eastern Airlines Airbus A340-642 by Anthony Jackson (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5926828)

[Espada III]

Very sad day. Having flown both A340 and B777, the A340 takes it all the time. Far quieter and more comfortable.

Also a beautiful aircraft, a classic design that updates but does not do a retro on the B707. Somehow the A330 with only two engines simply looks boring.

[donnlass]

Thanks for that Blink, that is a graceful example, definitely saved that one:)

My favourite aircraft:{

[Capetonian]

I am of course biased but ...............

http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/galleries/images/20326/500x400/saa-airbus-a340-600-and-silver-falcon-formations.jpg

(Possibly Photoshopped .........)
http://theseflippingtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/SAA_A340-600_Kapstadt.jpg

[donnlass]

Absolutely beautiful, both the scenery and the aircraft:ok::ok:

[CargoMatatu]

Always reminds me of the "Stretch Eight"; a bird on which I flew many happy hours.

[Mr Mac]

Always had a soft spot for A340 although have only flown in them on a small number of occasions mostly in Far East with Cathay / Singapore and also with Lufthansa on North American routes. It just looks well in my humble opinion and does have those 4 engines, which I personaly still like over large sections of water or ice, despite however much the accoutants tell us that twins are efficent and equaly safe !.

[KLOS]

Just on the subject of ETOPS-

Did anyone hear the story ( apocryphal?) of someone asking a Boeing Exec if transatlalntic ETOPS are so safe why he always flew in four engined job. His reply ( it is alleged) was ' cause there are no 5 engine jobs'

ps

never been on a 340 ( wanted to) but have flown 777 a lot to Florida - 4400 + miles- love the 'plane. Capt. Lim reckons 777 handles turbulence better- what do you pros reckon?

Thanks

[Midland 331]

Just on the subject of the A340...

I heard from an ex-Midland F/O that the -200 was unable to attain certain SID altitudes at EGLL in some situations.

Does anyone have any tales of its lack of performance?

[jackieofalltrades]

A340-200: I used to think these took off only by the curvature of the Earth. Very poor climbers.

[Midland 331]

I'm amazed that they went to market with something so lacking in performance, particularly when thinking of targeting operators serving "hot and high" airfields.

[77]

Flying to and from the Far East there was at one time two parallel routes. One for Boeing and the other for Airbus. The Airbus poor performance in climb and cruise used to cause so many problems for ATC that in the end they separated them from the Boeings.

[Skipness One Echo]

I believe the CFM56 engine was not their Plan A but became the only realistic option?