Description of AIRBUS A330
About the Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a spacious and versatile aircraft, perfect for group charters. Several aircraft have been configured for business aviation and VIP flights based on the ACJ 330-200. This type of aircraft is suited to a wide range of uses and its 45-metre cabin size allows for private charters at a very competitive cost compared to commercial flights. Popular with companies for seminars or sports fan clubs, for example, the A330 can also be used for official missions (ministries, delegations, etc.).
The history of the A330
To understand the history of the A330, we must go back to the origins of Airbus. Founded in 1970, the aircraft manufacturer immediately developed a medium-haul, wide-body airliner. The idea was to compete with Boeing and its B747. In 1972, the A300 family was born, from which the A330 later emerged, as a result of Airbus’ desire to develop aircraft with greater capacity and longer operating distances.
The A330 development program, combined with the A340 long-haul development program to reduce costs, is based on the A310 model. It is based on the A310 model, which has a larger wing. The project is to offer a completely new aircraft with a range of over 10,000 km. For the A330/340 aircraft, Airbus used the A320 avionics, a real technological feat at the time.
Timeline of the A330
- June 1987: official launch of the A330/A340 program at the Paris Air Show.
- 1989: first orders for 14 aircraft from the airline Air Inter.
- 1992: first flight of the A330.
- January 17, 1994: first commercial flight of the A330 operated by Air Inter.
Technical differences between the A330-200 and the A330-300
The A330 aircraft model has given rise to two main models, the A330-200 and the A330-300.
What are the main differences between these two airliners? And what do they have in common?
A330-200 model
- Maximum takeoff weight of the A330-200: 242 tons
- Range of the A330-200: 13,400 kilometres
- Cargo capacity of the A330-200: 27 LD3
- A330-200 fuselage diameter: 5.64 metres
- Cabin length of the A330-200: 45 metres
- Number of seats on the A330-200: 406 maximum or 246 in two classes
- A330-200 fuel tank capacity: 139,090 litres
A330-300 model
- A330-300 maximum take-off weight: 242 tons
- A330-300 range: 11,300 kilometres
- A330-300 cargo capacity: 33 LD3
- A330-300 fuselage diameter: 5.64 metres
- A330-300 cabin length: 50.35 metres
- Number of seats on the A330-300: maximum 440 or 277 in two classes
- A330-300 fuel tank capacity: 139,090 litres
