Airbus launched the A340-600 in December 1997 as the flagship stretch of the A340 family. The idea was to replace early 747s with similar capacity and lower operating costs. Airbus believed airlines would still want four engines on very long routes. At 75.4 meters it became the longest airliner in the world, a title it held until the Boeing 747-8 flew. The stretch added an enormous amount of cabin floor.
Four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines supply the power. An extra four-wheel landing gear unit sits under the belly to spread the weight. Pilots quickly learned to rotate gently to protect the long tail. It first flew on April 23, 2001, and Virgin Atlantic began service in August 2002 under its cheeky four engines for long haul slogan. Virgin used it on flagship routes from London Heathrow.
Lufthansa, Iberia, South African, China Eastern and Etihad followed. Some aircraft put lavatories and crew rest areas below the floor, freeing main-deck space. Then the twin-engine 777-300ER matched its payload on two engines and far less fuel. Production ended in 2011 after only 97 were built. Most were retired young, and Lufthansa is now the last major operator. Their premium-heavy cabins have proved difficult to replace.