Posts:3607 Joined: November 8th, 2010, 8:53 am
Location: Athens,Hellenic Kingdom
Contact:Website
Real airliner had four A340-300, not sure about seats. The A330-300 can use the RR Trent engine (as also the -200) providing commonality with the large A340-500. The goal is to replace B747-200 with one of these aircaft. The A340-300 however has the CFM-56 engine, so my company will have a sole engine type in four airframes only. Routes covered by B747 were the long haul/high density routes. With the new airframes the company would operate these routes with the most efficient way.
Posts:658 Joined: March 26th, 2013, 7:44 pm
Location: Nottingham. United Kingdom
Just a thought.
The A330 and A340 could easily be fitted with trents that a simple customer choice on power plant.
The A340 finished production in 2011 so probably not viable if this is to replace the 747 as of this date or are we talking back in the late 90's early 00's.
The A340's replacement is to be and enlarged version of the A350....
Posts:3607 Joined: November 8th, 2010, 8:53 am
Location: Athens,Hellenic Kingdom
Contact:Website
OA (AU) has retired the B747 since 1997 (replacement were A330-300). Question refers to A330-200 (all powered by RR Trent) in 2010's. The A330-200K will recycle the refueling system of the VC.10K in configuration, new system has several improvements over the original British Mk20.
Posts:663 Joined: November 1st, 2010, 2:17 pm
Location: Back in Italy...
Well from Greece You can actually use the A332/333 for medium and long haul flights, at the same time the A342/343/345/346 for the long and extra-long haul.
For the interior I will suggest all the medium/long/extra-long haul to be fitted with a 3 class configuration (First/Business/Economy), then around the 2005 You may retire the A340-200 and refit the remaining fleet of A330/A340 with a modern 4 class configuration (First/Business/Premium Economy/Economy).
Maybe the A340-200 can be converted in a tanker after some works like new engines and of course the in-flight-refueling system.
Major works like changing the wings (A340-500/600 wings) will increase the fuel capacity and performance, but will need major engineers study and works that will need a partner of the size of Airbus.
PS maybe in the 2020 You can start to think about the A350...
Posts:3607 Joined: November 8th, 2010, 8:53 am
Location: Athens,Hellenic Kingdom
Contact:Website
Fleet is 4 A330-200, 4 A330-200 combi and 4 A330-300 plus 3 A340-500.
This is Hellenic Kingodom, not the real Hellas( Greece). All I asked is to replace the A330-200 in passeger service for gining them to my Air Force. OA was one of the first customers of A332/A333 for medium and long haul flights to suplement the A310, replace the VC10 Super 200 and the B747-200. Look in page 57 of my AU. The A332 will be converted to tankers, rest will remain in passenger service.
Posts:3607 Joined: November 8th, 2010, 8:53 am
Location: Athens,Hellenic Kingdom
Contact:Website
Since the venerable VC.10 needs replacement (total flying airframes are less than 20, both in UK AU and HLK), RHAF has asked Olymplic Airlines for A330-200. Already from 2006 OA shown interest for the A350, setting its order for 8 A358 and (plus option for 2) A359 in 2007. First deliveries will start at late 2016 (about together with Tharian Atlantach). Hellenic Aerospace Industry (AU) is developing an improvent of the refuelling system currently in service with the VC.10 for the A330. It will have three probe-and-droge systems, of which centerline has greater fuel delivery for large aircrafts and two wing points for fighters.
This variant of A330 will be renamed A330-200K and -KF (four each). In addition, the A330 MRTT has one boom and two probe-and-droge. RHAF AU has never use boom, all aicraft with refueling capability use the probe-and-droge system.