Airbus A340-200 and A340-300 Wide-Bodied Four-Engine Airliners, Europe
The Airbus A340 family of wide-bodied four engine airliners is optimised for long range to ultra long range performance and is in service with dozens of airlines worldwide for non-stop long-haul services. The aircraft entered service in 1993 with Air France and Lufthansa. The A340-200 typically carries 239 passengers on flights of up to 14,800km. The A340-300 carries 295 passengers up to 13,500km. The first A340-300E enhanced version, with an upgraded engine, new liquid crystal (LCD) cockpit displays and a more spacious cabin interior design, was delivered in March 2004 to launch customer South African Airways, which has six in its fleet.
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Boeing 747-400 Twin Aisle Jet Airliner, USA
Boeing originally designed the 747 in the 1960s for the US Air Force's large jet cargo transport programme. The contract went to Lockheed's C5-A Galaxy, so Boeing decided to pursue the commercial aviation market with their new "Jumbo" 747. The 747 commercial development programme was initiated in 1966 when Boeing received an order from Pan American World Airways for 25 747s. The specification laid down was for a cost-effective intercontinental airliner, capable of carrying high volume passenger traffic whilst retaining a superior level of fuel economy. On 9 February 1969, the chief test pilot Jack Wadell and crew took the first 747 (registration N7470) into the air. The first model (747-100) entered commercial service with Pan Am in 1970 and took its maiden flight from New York to London. The 747 brought striking reductions in air travel costs through its still unsurpassed combination of speed, range and capacity. 1,341 Boeing 747 aircraft have been delivered.
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