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Airbus A300 General
Aircraft
Airbus A300 Series
Type
Medium Range Airliner
Crew
2
Unit Cost
Unknown
Main Operator
FedEx - UPS
Number Built
561

The Airbus A300
Airbus A300 Program Milestones
Launch
1970's
First Flight
October 10, 1972
First delivery
May 30, 1974
Launch Customer
Air France



Airbus A300 Aircraft Dimensions
Cross Section
18 feet 6 inch (5,64 m)
Wing Span
147 feet 1 inch (44,84 m)
Length
177 feet 5 inch (54,08 m)
Height
54 feet 2 inch (16,52 m)

Airbus A300 Weights
Maximum Taxi Weight
172.600 kg
Max Take-off Weight
171.700 kg
Max Landing Weight
140.000 kg
Max Zero Fuel Weight
130.000 kg
Operating Empty Weight
90.900 kg
Max Structural Payload
34.900 kg
Maximum Usable Fuel
68.150 Litres

Grumman F-14 Tomcat
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Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Airbus A300 Seating
One Class
361 Passengers
Mixed Class
266 Passengers

Airbus A300 Powerplants
CF6-80C2
249 kN
PW4000
267 kN

Airbus A300 Range
4000 nautical miles (7.700 km)

Prices all variants - $ in Millions
Model out of production - no prices current


Airbus A300 Orders & Deliveries
Total Orders
561
Total Deliveries
558
Total in Operation
412



Airbus A300 Information
The Airbus A300 was introduced for the first time in 1974 with Air France, and is capable of carrying up to 361 passengers in an all economy configuration. The aircraft was launched in 1972 and was the first twin-engined widebody in the world. Besides this, it was the first aircraft created by the Airbus consortium of European aerospace companies. Although the aircraft is a big succes with many operators world-wide production of the A300 ceased in July 2007. After the aircraft was launched, Airbus had some trouble selling the aircraft for a couple of years with most of the aircraft sold to Air France and Lufthansa (notably airlines that had an obligation to buy the aircraft). Eventually, Indian Airlines was the first domestic airline that ordered the A300 with some still in service.


Baron Air Cargo Airbus A300
DHL Airbus A300 @ Basel
Khalifa Airbus A300 seen on approach
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Airbus A300 Design
The A300 was used as a design basis for the Airbus A310, A330, A340 and A300-600ST (Beluga) while the aircraft itself is nearing the end of its market life. In February 2007 over 550 Airbus A300 aircraft have been delivered while a total of 560 were ordered. Overall the A300 was a big step in aircraft technology since it employed latest technologies, some derived from the supersonic Concorde, and incorporated:

  • a super critical airfoil in order to improve overall efficiency
  • wind shear protection (first aircraft ever)
  • advanced auto-pilot systems
  • advanced aerodynamics
  • dual pilot cockpit (later versions)
  • CoG control
  • wingtip fences (aerodynamic improvement)

Overall this made the A300 a suitable replacement for current widebodied aircraft like the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar and Douglas DC-10.


Airbus A300 Versions

Airbus A300B1 A total of two were built and included the first prototype. The second airframe was sold to Air Algérie who scrapped the aircraft a few years later. The aircraft could accomodate 259 passengers and had a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 132.000 kg. The aircraft was powered by two General Electric CF6-50A engines, each producing 220 kN of thrust.
 
Airbus A300B2

The Airbus A300B2 was the first production version of the A300. It was powered by either two CF6 or Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines. The A300B2 first entered service with Air France in May 1974.

  • Airbus A300B2-100: MTOW 137.000 kg
  • Airbus A300B2-200: MTOW 142.000 kg with Kruger flaps
  • Airbus A300B2-300: Iincreased MZFW and MLAW.
 
Airbus A300B4 The Airbus A300B4 is the major production version of the A300. It featured a center fuel tank, increasing fuel capacity to 48.000 kg.
  • A300B4-100: MTOW 157.500 kg
  • A300B4-200: MTOW 165.000 kg
  • A300B4-200FF: Features a "Forward-Facing" (FF) crewcompartment and is the first two-crew widebody aircraft. It includes A310 and A300-600 avionic technology. First delivered to Garuda in 1982.
  • A300B4-600: Known as the A300-600
  • A300C4: "Convertible freighter" featuring a large cargo to on the port side of the aircraft.
  • A300F4-203: Freighter version of the A300B4-200. First delivered in 1986.
 
Airbus A300-600

The A300-600 is officially designated as the the A300B4-600. Although the aircraft has the same length as the B2 and B4 it has increased cargo volume as it uses the A310 tail and rear fuselage. It features more powerful CF6-80 engines and entered service with Saudi Arabian Airlines in 1983.

  • A300-600: Baseline model
  • A300-620C: Convertible freighter version
  • A300-600F: Freighter version of the -600
  • A300-600R: Features increased range compared to the baseline -600.
  • A300-600RF: Freighter version of the -600R
  • A300-600ST: Commonly referred to as the "Airbus Super Transporter" or "Beluga" due to its characteristic bulge. A total of five have been produced all used to transport parts between manufacturing facilities and the final assembly facility.
 
Airbus A300B10 Known as the Airbus A310. Features a shorter fuselage compared to the baseline A300 together with a higher aspect ratio wing and smaller tail. Check out the specifications of this type.


Air Scandic Airbus A300 performing a charter flight
The Airbus A300-600ST delivering heavy cargo
A Kuwait Airways Airbus A300 climbing out
     
A Flyair Airbus A300 day-stopping at the cargo ramp
A UPS Airbus A300 coming in at Seatlle
A UPS Airbus A300 coming in at Seatlle