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Airbus A330 Airbus
A330
Medium to Long-Range Jetliner

DESCRIPTION:
Airbus launched both the A330 and A340 projects following several years of design studies investigating high-capacity, long-range aircraft. The pair of new designs was developed primarily to compete with Boeing's 767, 777, and older models of the 747.
In keeping with the many advancements made by earlier Airbus products, the A330 and A340 set precedents of their own by becoming the first commercial aircraft to be designed entirely by computer-aided design (CAD) software. This innovation helped to reduce development time and costs. Development and production costs were further reduced by maximizing commonality between the A330 and A340 as much as possible. The two aircraft share the same fuselage, landing gear, tail assembly, flight deck and basic wing. In addition, the fly-by-wire control system developed for the A320 was incorporated into both aircraft as were the digitial cockpit displays used on the earlier A300 and A310. The only significant difference between the A330 and A340 is the propulsion arrangement. Whereas the A340 is equipped with four engines for intercontinental flights, the A330 instead uses two engines for better economy on shorter routes.
Two major versions of the A330 have been developed to date. These include the basic A330-300 and the shorter extended-range A330-200. Additional shortened and stretched versions have also been studied. The A330 has also been heavily marketed to military services needing in-flight refueling tanker and cargo transport capabilities. Known as the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the design has been sold to Australia, the United Kingdom, and the UAE. Airbus has also partnered with the American defense contractor Northrop Grumman hoping to sell a version of the MRTT called the KC-30 to the US Air Force. Around 250 examples of the A330 were built by 2003 with production still underway.
Data below for A330-200 and A330-300
Last modified 26 March 2008

HISTORY:

First Flight (A330-300) 2 November 1992
(A330-200) 13 August 1997

Service Entry

(A330-300) January 1994 (with Air Inter)
(A330-200) April 1998

CREW: two flight crew: pilot, co-pilot

PASSENGERS: (A330-200) 253 in three classes, 293 in two classes, 380 in one class
(A330-300) 335 in three classes, 440 in one class

ESTIMATED COST:

(A330-200) $139.6 to $145.5 million [2003$]

AIRFOIL SECTIONS:

Wing Root unknown

Wing Tip

unknown

DIMENSIONS:

Length (A330-200) 193.58 ft (59.06 m)
(A330-300) 208.83 ft (63.65 m)

Wingspan (A330-200) 197.83 ft (59.06 m)
(A330-300) 148.42 ft (45.23 m)

Height (A330-200) 58.67 ft (17.90 m)
(A330-300) 42.42 ft (12.92 m)

Wing Area (A340-200) 3,892 ft² (361.6 m²)

Canard Area

not applicable

WEIGHTS:

Empty (A330-200) 265,700 lb (120,520 kg)
(A330-300) 265,185 lb (120,285 kg)

Typical Load unknown

Max Takeoff (A330-200) 507,000 lb (229,970 kg)
(A330-300) 467,380 lb (212,000 kg)

Fuel Capacity (A330-200) 36,750 gal (139,090 L)

Max Payload

(A330-200) 80,250 lb (36,400 kg)
(A330-300) 102,960 lb (46,715 kg)

PROPULSION:

Powerplant two General Electric CF6-80E1 turbofans or
two Pratt & Whitney PW4000 turbofans or
two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 turbofans

Thrust (GE) 135,000 lb (600.6 kN)

PERFORMANCE:

Max Level Speed at altitude: 560 mph (900 km/h)
at sea level: unknown
cruise speed: 545 mph (880 km/h)

Initial Climb Rate unknown

Service Ceiling 39,370 ft (12,000 m)

Range (A330-200) 6,400 nm (11,850 km)
(A330-300) 4,500 nm (8,335 km)

g-Limits unknown

KNOWN VARIANTS:

A300B9 Airbus design study based on the A300 that led to the A330 concept

A330-100 Proposed shortened model to replace the A300-600 and A310, combines the A300-600 fuselage with a wing derived from the A330 plus digital cockpit displays and a fly-by-wire control system

A330-200 Long-range model with a shorter fuselage and larger wing derived from that of the A340-300; 79 built by 2001

A330-200F Cargo freighter based on the A330-200

A330-300 First production model; 97 built by 2001

A330-400X Proposed stretched model for a larger passenger load to operate over shorter ranges

A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport marketed to military operators for use as a combined in-flight refueling tanker and cargo transport, model is based on the A330-200 and capable of carrying 37,000 gal (140,000 L) of fuel

KC-30 Designation used for the A330 MRTT offered to the US Air Force by EADS and partner Northrop Grumman

KNOWN OPERATORS:

Civil AerCap
Aer Lingus
Aeroflot
Aerolineas Argentinas
Air Afrique
AirAsia
Aircalin
Air Canada
Aircastle
Air China
Air Comet
Air France
Air Greenland
Air Holland
Air India
Air Inter
Air Luxor
Airtours International
Air Transat
Asiana
Austrian Airlines
Avequis
Avianca
Avion Aircraft Trading
AWAS
Birdy Airlines
BOC Aviation
British Midland International
Brussels Airlines
Canada 3000
Cathay Pacific Airways
China Eastern Airlines
China Southern Airlines
CIT Aerospace
Conquest Vacations
Corsair
Cyprus Airways
Delsey Airlines
Dragonair
Edelweiss Air
EgyptAir
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Eurofly
Eva Air
Finnair
Finnair Leisure Flights
Fly Asian Xpress (FAX)
Flyington Freighters
Garuda Indonesia
Global Aero Logistics
Guggenheim Aviation Partners (GAP)
Gulf Air
Hawaiian Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines
Iberworld
Icelandair Cargo
Indian Airlines
International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC)
Intrepid Aviation Group
Jet Airways
JMC Airlines
Khalifa Airways
Kingfisher Airlines
KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines
Korean Air Lines
L-Air
Lauda Air
Libyan Airlines
LTU International Airways
Lufthansa
Malaysian Airline System (MAS)
Matlin Patterson Investment
Middle East Airlines
MNG Airlines
Monarch Airlines
MyTravel Airways
Northwest Airlines
Novair
OceanAir
Oman Air
Paradise Air
Philippine Air Lines
Premiair
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Sabena
Scandanavian (SAS)
Singapore Airlines
Skyservice
SN Brussels
South African Airways
Srilankan Airlines
Star Airlines
Swissair
Swiss International Air Lines
TAM Brasil
Thai Airways International
Trans World Airlines (TWA)
Transasia
TUI
US Airways
Varig Logistica
VG Airlines
Vietnam Airlines
Volare Airlines
XL Airways UK
Yemenia

Government/Military Australia (Royal Australian Air Force)
United Arab Emirates (United Arab Emirates Air Force)
United Kingdom (Royal Air Force)

3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:

Airbus A330

SOURCES:

Aboulafia, Richard. Jane's Civil Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996, p. 34-35, Airbus A330.

Airbus A330/A340 site

Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 36, Airbus Industrie A330 and A340.

Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 1999, p. 42-46, A330/A340.

Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 34-35, Airbus A330-200.

Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 205, Airbus A330.

Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 289-290, Airbus A330.

Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 273-274, Airbus A330.

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DESCRIPTION: Airbus launched both the A330 and A340 projects following several years of design studies investigating high-capacity, long-range aircraft. The pair of new designs was developed primarily to compete with Boeing's 767, 777, and older models of the 747. In keeping with the many advancements made by earlier Airbus products, the A330 and A340 set precedents of their own by becoming the first commercial aircraft to be designed entirely by computer-aided design (CAD) software. This innovation helped to reduce development time and costs. Development and production costs were further reduced by maximizing commonality between the A330 and A340 as much as possible. The two aircraft share the same fuselage, landing gear, tail assembly, flight deck and basic wing. In addition, the fly-by-wire control system developed for the A320 was incorporated into both aircraft as were the digitial cockpit displays used on the earlier A300 and A310. The only significant difference between the A330 and A340 is the propulsion arrangement. Whereas the A340 is equipped with four engines for intercontinental flights, the A330 instead uses two engines for better economy on shorter routes. Two major versions of the A330 have been developed to date. These include the basic A330-300 and the shorter extended-range A330-200. Additional shortened and stretched versions have also been studied. The A330 has also been heavily marketed to military services needing in-flight refueling tanker and cargo transport capabilities. Known as the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the design has been sold to Australia, the United Kingdom, and the UAE. Airbus has also partnered with the American defense contractor Northrop Grumman hoping to sell a version of the MRTT called the KC-30 to the US Air Force. Around 250 examples of the A330 were built by 2003 with production still underway. Data below for A330-200 and A330-300 Last modified 26 March 2008
HISTORY:
First Flight	(A330-300) 2 November 1992 (A330-200) 13 August 1997
Service Entry	(A330-300) January 1994 (with Air Inter) (A330-200) April 1998
CREW:	two flight crew: pilot, co-pilot
PASSENGERS:	(A330-200) 253 in three classes, 293 in two classes, 380 in one class (A330-300) 335 in three classes, 440 in one class
ESTIMATED COST:	(A330-200) $139.6 to $145.5 million [2003$]
AIRFOIL SECTIONS:
Wing Root	unknown
Wing Tip	unknown
DIMENSIONS:
Length	(A330-200) 193.58 ft (59.06 m) (A330-300) 208.83 ft (63.65 m)
Wingspan	(A330-200) 197.83 ft (59.06 m) (A330-300) 148.42 ft (45.23 m)
Height	(A330-200) 58.67 ft (17.90 m) (A330-300) 42.42 ft (12.92 m)
Wing Area	(A340-200) 3,892 ft² (361.6 m²)
Canard Area	not applicable
WEIGHTS:
Empty	(A330-200) 265,700 lb (120,520 kg) (A330-300) 265,185 lb (120,285 kg)
Typical Load	unknown
Max Takeoff	(A330-200) 507,000 lb (229,970 kg) (A330-300) 467,380 lb (212,000 kg)
Fuel Capacity	(A330-200) 36,750 gal (139,090 L)
Max Payload	(A330-200) 80,250 lb (36,400 kg) (A330-300) 102,960 lb (46,715 kg)
PROPULSION:
Powerplant	two General Electric CF6-80E1 turbofans or two Pratt & Whitney PW4000 turbofans or two Rolls-Royce Trent 700 turbofans
Thrust	(GE) 135,000 lb (600.6 kN)
PERFORMANCE:
Max Level Speed	at altitude: 560 mph (900 km/h) at sea level: unknown cruise speed: 545 mph (880 km/h)
Initial Climb Rate	unknown
Service Ceiling	39,370 ft (12,000 m)
Range	(A330-200) 6,400 nm (11,850 km) (A330-300) 4,500 nm (8,335 km)
g-Limits	unknown
KNOWN VARIANTS:
A300B9	Airbus design study based on the A300 that led to the A330 concept
A330-100	Proposed shortened model to replace the A300-600 and A310, combines the A300-600 fuselage with a wing derived from the A330 plus digital cockpit displays and a fly-by-wire control system
A330-200	Long-range model with a shorter fuselage and larger wing derived from that of the A340-300; 79 built by 2001
A330-200F	Cargo freighter based on the A330-200
A330-300	First production model; 97 built by 2001
A330-400X	Proposed stretched model for a larger passenger load to operate over shorter ranges
A330 MRTT	Multi Role Tanker Transport marketed to military operators for use as a combined in-flight refueling tanker and cargo transport, model is based on the A330-200 and capable of carrying 37,000 gal (140,000 L) of fuel
KC-30	Designation used for the A330 MRTT offered to the US Air Force by EADS and partner Northrop Grumman
KNOWN OPERATORS:
Civil	AerCap Aer Lingus Aeroflot Aerolineas Argentinas Air Afrique AirAsia Aircalin Air Canada Aircastle Air China Air Comet Air France Air Greenland Air Holland Air India Air Inter Air Luxor Airtours International Air Transat Asiana Austrian Airlines Avequis Avianca Avion Aircraft Trading AWAS Birdy Airlines BOC Aviation British Midland International Brussels Airlines Canada 3000 Cathay Pacific Airways China Eastern Airlines China Southern Airlines CIT Aerospace Conquest Vacations Corsair Cyprus Airways Delsey Airlines Dragonair Edelweiss Air EgyptAir Emirates Etihad Airways Eurofly Eva Air Finnair Finnair Leisure Flights Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) Flyington Freighters Garuda Indonesia Global Aero Logistics Guggenheim Aviation Partners (GAP) Gulf Air Hawaiian Airlines Hong Kong Airlines Iberworld Icelandair Cargo Indian Airlines International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) Intrepid Aviation Group Jet Airways JMC Airlines Khalifa Airways Kingfisher Airlines KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines Korean Air Lines L-Air Lauda Air Libyan Airlines LTU International Airways Lufthansa Malaysian Airline System (MAS) Matlin Patterson Investment Middle East Airlines MNG Airlines Monarch Airlines MyTravel Airways Northwest Airlines Novair OceanAir Oman Air Paradise Air Philippine Air Lines Premiair Qantas Qatar Airways Sabena Scandanavian (SAS) Singapore Airlines Skyservice SN Brussels South African Airways Srilankan Airlines Star Airlines Swissair Swiss International Air Lines TAM Brasil Thai Airways International Trans World Airlines (TWA) Transasia TUI US Airways Varig Logistica VG Airlines Vietnam Airlines Volare Airlines XL Airways UK Yemenia
Government/Military	Australia (Royal Australian Air Force) United Arab Emirates (United Arab Emirates Air Force) United Kingdom (Royal Air Force)
3-VIEW SCHEMATIC:
SOURCES: Aboulafia, Richard. Jane's Civil Aircraft. Glasgow: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996, p. 34-35, Airbus A330. Airbus A330/A340 site Donald, David, ed. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. NY: Barnes & Noble, 1997, p. 36, Airbus Industrie A330 and A340. Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press, 1999, p. 42-46, A330/A340. Müller, Claudio. Aircraft of the World. NY: Muddle Puddle Books, 2004, p. 34-35, Airbus A330-200. Rendall, David. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide, 2nd ed. London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1999, p. 205, Airbus A330. Taylor, Michael. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1996/1997. London: Brassey's, 1996, p. 289-290, Airbus A330. Taylor, Michael J. H. Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's, 1999, p. 273-274, Airbus A330.