IATA 346ICAO A346

Airbus A340-600

Airbus

TravelerPulse profile

Airbus's ultra-long-range four-engine widebody flagship.

First flight

2001

Category

Wide-body jet

Seating

350–380 (typical 3-class); up to 475 (high-density)

Range

14,600 km

Engines

4× CFM International CFM56-5C4 turbofans

Status

In service (declining)

The Airbus A340-600 is the longest variant of the A340 family, stretching 75.3 metres and capable of carrying up to around 475 passengers in a high-density single-class layout. Powered by four CFM56-5C4 turbofan engines, it was designed to serve ultra-long-haul routes non-stop, competing directly with the Boeing 777-300ER. The aircraft entered service in 2002 and was ordered primarily by major European and Middle Eastern carriers seeking high-capacity long-range capability. However, the four-engine configuration proved economically disadvantageous compared to the more fuel-efficient twin-engine 777, limiting its commercial appeal. Production of the A340-600 ended in 2011 alongside the broader A340 family, as airlines increasingly favoured more fuel-efficient twin-engine alternatives. Many operators have since retired or are in the process of phasing out the type, though a number remain in service with select carriers.

Notable operators

Major operators have included Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Iberia, Air France, and South African Airways.

Notable facts

›At 75.3 metres, the A340-600 was the world's longest commercial aircraft until the Boeing 747-8 entered service.
›The A340-600 shares a common type rating with other A330/A340 family variants.
›Only 97 A340-600s were built before production ended in 2011.
›The type competed directly against the Boeing 777-300ER but lost market share due to higher fuel burn from four engines.
›Virgin Atlantic operated the A340-600 with a distinctive upper-deck bar area branded 'The Loft'.