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The Airbus A340, once a mainstay of long-haul international travel, is approaching the end of its operational life in commercial aviation. The aircraft, known for its four engines and widebody design, has been surpassed by more efficient twin-engine jets that offer lower operating and maintenance costs.
Most airlines have already retired their four-engine long-haul fleets, with only a few operators such as Lufthansa and members of the Lufthansa Group still flying the A340. This persistence is largely due to the expansive reach of these carriers' route networks. The A340 first entered service in 1993 after being developed alongside the Airbus A330. Over its production run, which ended in 2011, Airbus delivered 377 units out of 380 orders.
The A340 was designed to overcome early limitations on twin-engine operations over remote areas and oceans. It enabled airlines to connect distant city pairs that were not suitable for larger aircraft like the Boeing 747 but required more capacity than smaller widebodies could provide. The jet became popular on routes between Europe and South America, Africa, and Asia.
