Airbus A340-500

The Airbus A340‑500, developed by Airbus SAS, entered service in 2003 as the longest‑range variant of the four‑engine A340 family. Conceived to provide nonstop capability between major intercontinental hubs, it was launched in 1997 in response to market demand for ultra‑long‑haul routes such as Singapore‑New York and Dubai‑Los Angeles. Powered by four Rolls‑Royce Trent 500 turbofans, the aircraft could cruise at Mach 0.82 and offered a maximum range of approximately 16 700 km (9 000 NM), making it the first commercial jet to exceed a 15‑hour flight duration without refuelling. The A340‑500 featured a wide‑body 61‑seat configuration in a typical three‑class layout, a glass cockpit with Fly‑By‑Wire controls, and advanced wing‑tip devices that reduced drag. Though only 30 units were built, the type demonstrated the feasibility of nonstop ultra‑long‑haul operations and spurred airlines to explore new city‑pair markets. Its legacy lives on in later Airbus designs such as the A350‑1000, which inherited its range ambitions while incorporating more fuel‑efficient twin‑engine architecture. The A340‑500 thus remains a landmark in aviation history, symbolising a bold step toward global connectivity. Airlines such as Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic retired the type by 2017, but the experience gained informed subsequent fleet decisions and underscored the shift toward more economical twin‑engine long‑range jets.

Airbus SAS

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