Airbus A380

Type mission : ultra high capacity ultra long range twin-deck airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts :Airbus A380 is a pinnacle of aircraft design. Definitely the largest airliner in the sky now days. Airbus A380 has two full length floor, can carry 555 passengers and can fly to anywhere in the world directly. Despite its large passenger capacity, Airbus A380 has huge spaces which can accommodate bar, gym and even duty free shop. Weigh almost 600 tons, this passenger super-carrier actually have higher cost efficiency per passenger than any other airliner. And because of the weight, airports should literally build special runway for them. If equipped with high density all economy class seat, A380 can carry 800 passengers.

Capacity : 555 passengers typical three class
Engines : four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 or Engine Alliance (GE-P&W) turbofans
Max speed : 330 kt, 611 km/h, 380 mph
Range : 8o00nm, 14800 km, 9200 miles
List price :260+ million USD

Airbus A340 series

Type mission : four engine ultra long range widebody airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : Entered service in 1994, Airbus A340 is an ultra long range quad engined high capacity airliner. A340 has four turbofan engine that more cost efficient for long range flying than a twin engine airliner. With 8500nm/15000km/9300 miles range, a reduced passenger capacity Airbus A340-500 is the longest ranged airliner. That makes A340 on competition with Boeing 747-400 and with advantage of more economical cost than 747-400. Boeing then should make special class of 777-200LR, which came with further range extension than the ER version to compete with Airbus A340-500. Airliners in this ultra-long range class can fly to anywhere in the world directly, making a half earth surface leap.

Capacity :
A340-200; 261 passengers typical three class or 303 passengers typical two class
A340-300; 295 passengers typical three class or 335 passengers typical two class
A340-500; 313 passengers typical three class
A340-600; 380 passengers typical three class
Engines :
A340-200/300; four CFM turbofans
A340-500/600; four RollsRoyce Trent turbofans
Max speed : 330 kt, 611 km/h, 380 mph
Range :
A340-200; 7450nm, 13805 km, 8578 miles
A340-300; 6700nm, 12415 km, 7714 miles
A340-500; 8500nm, 15742 km, 9781 miles
A340-600; 7500nm, 13890 km, 8630 miles
List price :
A340-300; 160+ million USD
A340-500; 180+ million USD
A340-500; 187+ million USD

A340-200 and A340-300

A340-500 and A340-600

Airbus A330 series

Type mission : large capacity medium to long range widebody airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : Entered service in 1994, Airbus A330 is the largest Airbus twin engine airliner. Designed to replace A300 series, A310 can carry more passenger in much greater range than A300 series. A310 was developed side by side with larger A340 series which have four engines. Airbus A330 is a high capacity medium to long range twin engine airliner that was designed to compete with Boeing 767-300ER. Two version of A330 was designed and produced; A330-300 and short-bodied A330-200.

Capacity :
A330-200; 256 passengers typical three class or 293 passengers typical two class
A330-300; 295 passengers typical three class or 335 passengers typical two class or 440 passengers one class high density
Engines : two General Electrics or Pratt & Whitney or RollsRoyce Trent turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range :
A330-200; 6650nm, 12316 km, 7653 miles
A330-200; 5600nm, 10371 km, 6444 miles
List price :
A330-200; 135+ million USD
A330-300; 150+ million USD

Airbus A310

Type mission : medium range widebody airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : Entered service in 1983, Airbus A310 is a derivative of the larger A300. A310 designed to achieve higher economical operation and cheaper production costs than the former A300 series. Although smaller in size, A310 can carry just a bit smaller amount of passengers as A300 but can achieve a considerably greater range.

Capacity : 212 passengers typical two class or 280 passengers one class high density
Engines : two General Electrics or Pratt & Whitney turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range : 3600-5200 nm, 6667-9630 km, 4142-5984 miles (depend on type version)
List price : 90+ million USD

Airbus A300

Type mission : medium range widebody airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : Entered service in 1974, Airbus A300 was the first airliner developed by Airbus. Airbus itself is a consortium consist of EADS of Dutch, Aerospatiale of France, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, CASA of Spain and British Aerospace of UK. The project started in 1969 to develop a 300 passengers twin engined medium range 'air bus'. A300 then got in close competition with Boeing 767.

Capacity : 220 passengers typical two class or 336 passengers one class high density
Engines : two General Electrics or Pratt & Whitney turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range : 2000-4000 nm, 3700-7400 km, 2300-4600 miles (depend on type version)
List price : 110+ million USD

Airbus A321

Type mission : short to medium range airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : Entered service in 1994, Airbus A321 is the stretch-bodied version of the highly successful A320. The design of A321 with 220 passengers capacity made it in close competition with Boeing 737-900. Despite its higher capacity, A321 shares identical cockpit and same flight characteristics with smaller A320, A319 and A318.

Capacity : 186 passengers typical two class or 220 passengers one class high density
Engines : two CFM turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range : 3000 nm, 5500 km, 3400 miles
List price : 65+ million USD

Airbus A320

Type mission : short to medium range airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : Entered service in 1988, Airbus A320 is the foundation type for short-bodied A319 and A318 also the stretched A321. A320 is the airliner technology leader back in nineties. A320 was known as the first airliners with fly-by-wire system entered the market. A320 came with cockpit look that nothing come close; joystick-like controllers at each side, six glass screen colour display EFIS (electronic flight control system) and simpler, neater overall filghtdeck. Designed to compete on the most popular airliner type category and against the most popular airliner ever; the Boeing 737 series. Compared to 737, A320 is slimmer, simpler, more economical and more agile. Further down the details, A320 series have better range overall, shorter required runway length and better weight capacity. Another advantage is that A320, A318, A319 and A321 shared exactly the same cockpit, making easier process for a pilot to fly any of them without different type rating. Of course there will be many pros and cons about this Airbus vs Boeing, but Airbus A320 has proven as a big hit to the competitor. Airbus is literally above the wind until Boeing launched 737NG series, that is the next generation series that making the competition even. But until then, the new comer Airbus A320 series has managed to get half of the short to mid-range airliner world market.

Capacity : 150 passengers typical two class or 179 passengers one class high density
Engines : two CFM or IAE turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range : 3000 nm, 5500 km, 3400 miles
List price : 55+ million USD

Airbus A319

Type mission : medium range airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : A319 which entered service in 1996 was programmed to compete with the market leader Boeing 737-300 and 737-700, and it did successfully. A319 is a short-bodied A320. All A320 family shared the same glass cockpit with joystick-like controllers. A319 has advantage in economical fuel usage compared to others in the same category type and one of the longest in range.

Capacity : 124 passengers typical two class or 145 passenger one class high density
Engines : two CFM turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range : 3700 nm, 6852 km, 4257 miles
List price : 50+ million USD

Airbus A318

Type mission : 100 passengers regional airliner
Manufacturer : Airbus
History & facts : The smallest type of A320 family and also of all Airbus line. Entering service in 2003, A318 is a short-bodied version of A319 and A320. A318 was programmed to compete with Boeing 737.

Capacity : 107 passengers typical two class or 129 passenger one class high density
Engines : two Pratt & Whitney or CFM turbofans
Max speed : mach 0.82, 350 kt, 648 km/h, 403 mph
Range : 2000 nm, 3700 km, 2300 miles
List price : 40+ million USD