Bad news for the Airbus fans. Last Thursday, Airbus announced they are abandoning production of the A340 because they have not sold one for over 2 years.Here's the Press Release:http://www.airbus.co...-success-story/

Thats the only Airbus out of my whole collection that I actually enjoy flying. What a sad loss it is in the real world. But these things have to happen in time I guess.Steve

Bad news for the Airbus fans. Last Thursday, Airbus announced they are abandoning production of the A340 because they have not sold one for over 2 years.Here's the Press Release:http://www.airbus.co...-success-story/

Logical decision.In many ways the 777 "killed" the A340, just like the A340 had killed the MD11 (or at least had given it a bad blow when SIA cancelled an MD11 order in favor of the A340).Bruno

I hope this is never gonna happen to the 747... The A340 and A330 are my favourite Airbus airplanes though, shame they stopped production... But yeah, that's understandable if they haven't sold one over two years...

Logical decision.In many ways the 777 "killed" the A340, just like the A340 had killed the MD11 (or at least had given it a bad blow when SIA cancelled an MD11 order in favor of the A340).Bruno

The A330 killed the A340 in my opinion. It developed exactly as the former Airbus manager predicted it. The A330 that was more or less developed as a "low cost" model primaily for charter would outnumber the A340 three times. Right now they have sold the A330 over 1100 times. They can be proud of this success. Maybe Etops killed engine engine three and four.

Pity, I'd always wanted to fly a 4 engined jet, that one was only a 7 day CCQ course away, ah well, back to my 2 engined 330...

Nooooooo! Airbus just ditched the only cool design they've ever had. The A340/A330 airframe > all other Airbuses, especially that fat A380..

Nooooooo! Airbus just ditched the only cool design they've ever had. The A340/A330 airframe > all other Airbuses, especially that fat A380..

Don't worry, they're still making the 330...

A - The A330 killed the A340 in my opinion..../...B - Maybe Etops killed engine engine three and four.

Roland,Not sure I agree with A (the 330 killed the 340) since the two never competed in the same range category. Don't forget the initial A330 version was the -300, a medium range version. The -200 has a longer range but still doesn't compete with the A340 range wise.In fact I should have written : the 777 -ERs killed the A340. And, conversely, if the A330 didn't kill the basic 777, it stole a much higher market share.However, re your point B (ETOPS killed engine 3 and 4), I agree 100 % with you.Bruno

The -600 was a cool concept, longest commercial, I think people are also missing the A380 also.I think the depleting sales of the 340 as suggested above was the 777 variants, can do more than a A340 with less fuel costs, remember, the only real difference between the A343 and the A333 is one has 2 engines, one has 4, the fuselarge is pretty much identical.Another real world example is that Virgin Atlantic, are purchasing new A333 as opposed to A340's.. There is your proof right there

, remember, the only real difference between the A343 and the A333 is one has 2 engines, one has 4, the fuselarge is pretty much identical.

No. There is also a huge difference in fuel capacity - and in range.Bruno

Roland,Not sure I agree with A (the 330 killed the 340) since the two never competed in the same range category. Don't forget the initial A330 version was the -300, a medium range version. The -200 has a longer range but still doesn't compete with the A340 range wise.In fact I should have written : the 777 -ERs killed the A340. And, conversely, if the A330 didn't kill the basic 777, it stole a much higher market share.However, re your point B (ETOPS killed engine 3 and 4), I agree 100 % with you.Bruno

Think, you are right. The 777 -ERs killed them. Airbus might try to strike back with A350 900/1000. Just read that the 787 is rated ETOPS 330. Unbelievable.

Are you serious? The best plane in the world and a real beauty up in the skies is banned from production before we get a decent simulation of it? Come on! At least we have about five 757 simulations. Thank you very much.

Are you serious? The best plane in the world and a real beauty up in the skies is banned from production before we get a decent simulation of it? Come on! At least we have about five 757 simulations. Thank you very much.

Well, I wouldn't say that's the prettiest one up there, although it's in my top 10, but I agree with the rest. We've got countless 757s there to play with and no decent Airbuses. Now, the chances for a A340 get even lower because certain devs can affirm that it's not worth to make the A340 anymore because it's out of the production line.

The 777 definitely ended the A340 because of the lower maintenance costs with 2 engines and the great ETOPS range the 777 was awarded. In my opinion, Airbus is going to try to sell as many A330s as fast as they can because they know the airliners are going for the more fuel-efficient 787s now and in a few years, the A350 too.In the past 16 years, Boeing has delivered over 950 777s so far and they still have over a 200 order backlog. Meanwhile, Airbus's A340 which has been around for 18 years sold under 400. They are both very safe planes with the 777 only having one loss and the A340 having five (I think) that were mostly pilot error except the icing issue on the BA 777 crash. Although the A340 didin't have much of a chance these days, I agree that it is an eye-appealing design that looks amazing in the air. Its a shame the buggy wilco with the horrifying exterior modle is the only good simulation other then the ancient PSS.Cya A340, I can't say I will miss you but you sure looked and sounded good.