Both Boeing and Airbus allow Autothrottle (autothrust for Airbus) to control speed during approach and landing if required.The only difference (from memory, so this is a very general statement for Boeings) is that for most Boeings, with autothrottle armed, you can select any speed and the aircraft will attempt to fly at that speed even if it is below Vapp for example. With Airbus you can select below the minimum speed (Vls) but with autothrust active the aircraft will not decelerate below Vls, (the minimum speed for the current configuration).Indeed the Airbus can (if the mode is so selected by the pilot) reduce speed automatically with the corresponding flap position.

You have a point on the autothrottle, but I'm really not sure whether the approach speed change is possible with Airbus. Maybe someone can tell me which MCDU and A/P functions they are?

Hi GeorgIf you activate the APPR phase mode on the PERF page of the MCDU and the speed is in managed mode this will occur.Incidentally if you are in NAV or LOC modes then APPR is activated automatically if you are below a certain altitude (9200 feet comes to mind) and you pass deceleration waypoint D.

interesting.RH