The A340, the big 4-engine airplane that never got that much attention and respect isn't getting much as it nears the end of its days, either. Most of the publicity has gone to the retirement of Boeing 747s, and to the sales difficulties of the A380.
More than a third of the 375 A340s built are out of service, and quite a few of those that remain are either with small airlines, or in government and private use. Only Lufthansa, Iberia and South African Airways have significant fleets now, and they are looking to replacements, either with 777/787 versions, or the A350.
One of Airbus's first projects—design studies began even before the A320—it may have been a case of too much too late, with four thirsty engines coming onto the market in 1993, only two years before the similarly-sized twin-engine Boeing 777, which proved much more economical to operate. At the same time, authorities began certifying planes for ETOPS (Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operations) that made intercontinental routes possible.
A good resource for those interested in airplane history, by the way, is AirportSpotting.com, which has a list of airlines still flying the A340—and even news about who's flying the DC-3 (although not in regular service. Here's one from Aer Lingus that does promotion work for the carrier.
Title Photo: Iberia A340 (Eric Salard/Wikimedia)
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