How Do Different Airlines Configure Their Cabins?

One of the last four-engine jets in regular commercial service, the Airbus A340 can still be seen at airports worldwide. The plane was put into service on March 15th, 1993, and sold almost 380 models. The family consists of four variants: the A340-200, A340-300, A340-500 and A340-600.

Just two -200 models remain active with scheduled carriers (Mahan Air and Conviasa). By far the most popular, the A340-300 has 45 active models still registered. The -500 model was never as popular with commercial airlines, and the last remaining civilian model has been grounded for some time. Upon its introduction, the Airbus A340-600 became the world’s longest passenger aircraft and continues to fly for several airlines.

Flying the status quo

The largest operator of the A340 is Lufthansa, which has 16 active examples of the type. The aircraft was initially set to be retired entirely but has been reactivated to meet the rising demand for premium travel as it features a first class cabin. The Star Alliance carrier’s smaller A340-300s feature 30 business class seats at the front of the aircraft. The -600 includes the first class product and features 44 and 52 business class seats, separated by toilets and a middle bulkhead.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

The business class on the lone Airbus A340-300 flown by South African Airways is in a similar arrangement, with 38 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration at the front of the plane.

Placing the business class seats at the front of the aircraft appears to be commonplace for the majority of the other operators of the type, many of which only have one example each.

Sliding down the center

One carrier that deviates significantly from the standard is Iran’s Aseman Air. The airline’s A340-300 features a unique diagonal pattern down the center row of seats, allowing each passenger direct aisle access. The two rows along each side are also positioned at an angle, creating a 1-1-1 configuration.

The ex-Virgin Atlantic aircraft (EP-APA) was the second prototype to come from Airbus and is deployed on a relatively short route, linking Tehran and Istanbul daily.

Right in the middle

Another subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group has gone in a completely different direction with this Airbus A340-300 upper-class seating. Edelweiss Air is actively operating five A340-300s, which place the 27 business class seats between the front 76 Economy Plus passengers and 211 seats in economy.

Photo: Edelweiss

The window seats are staggered, with every second row containing a “throne seat.”

Twin Thrones across Africa.

The most unique Airbus A340 configuration is doubtless that of Azman Air’s lone model. The ex-Virgin Atlantic widebody was reconfigured to hold just two business class seats. The dark leather seats are located in the aircraft’s middle aisle, giving the section’s first row a 2-2-2 configuration.

Photo: Azman Air

The aircraft is currently grounded, and it remains to be seen if the Nigerian airline will resume operations following a pause this summer.

Short hops in the front

Another Lufthansa Group carrier is flying several of its biggest jets on short-haul flights. SWISS, which has four Airbus A340-300s, scheduled the quad jets on several intra-European routes this year. SWISS recently refurbished its Airbus A340 cabins to match those on its Boeing 777 product.

Photo: SWISS

Several of the routes have been served previously using the larger aircraft, with the jet appearing on five routes from Zurich this summer. Destinations included frequent services to Palma and Malaga in Spain and occasional rotations to Athens, Porto, and Geneva.

Many additional Airbus A340s are operated by charter and private carriers. The most luxurious of which is presumed to be the sole Airbus A340-8000, customized for the Royal family of Brunei.

Which is your favorite Airbus A340 business class product? Let us know in the comments below.