The Airbus A310 is a twin-engine, wide-body airliner that helped establish Airbus as a serious competitor to Boeing in the long-haul market. Developed as a shorter, longer-range version of the Airbus A300, the A310 became Airbus’ second commercial aircraft and introduced several innovations that would later become standard across the Airbus family.
First entering service in 1983, the A310 was designed for medium- and long-haul routes with lower passenger demand than the A300. It proved especially popular on transatlantic services, government transport missions, cargo operations, and military tanker conversions. Although production ended in 1998, many A310s continue to fly today as freighters, military aircraft, and passenger jets in a handful of countries.
Airbus A310 Specifications
| Specification | Airbus A310-300 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Airbus |
| Aircraft type | Wide-body twin-engine airliner |
| First flight | 3 April 1982 |
| Entry into service | April 1983 |
| Production years | 1981–1998 |
| Total aircraft built | 255 |
| Length | 46.66 m (153 ft 1 in) |
| Wingspan | 43.90 m (144 ft) |
| Height | 15.80 m (51 ft 10 in) |
| Typical seating | 220–280 passengers |
| Maximum seating | Around 280 passengers |
| Range | Up to 9,600 km (5,150 nautical miles) |
| Cruise speed | Mach 0.80 (about 850 km/h) |
| Engines | 2 × GE CF6 or Pratt & Whitney JT9D/PW4000 |
| Flight crew | 2 pilots |
Development
Following the success of the Airbus A300, airlines requested a smaller aircraft capable of flying longer routes with fewer passengers. Airbus responded by launching the A310 programme in 1978, with Swissair and Lufthansa serving as launch customers.
Although the A310 shared much of its fuselage with the A300, it featured:
- A shorter fuselage
- A redesigned wing
- Reduced operating costs
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Longer range
- A modern two-pilot glass cockpit
One of its biggest innovations was the elimination of the flight engineer, replacing the traditional three-person cockpit with advanced electronic flight displays. This cockpit layout later influenced the A300-600, A320, A330 and A340 families.
Airbus A310 Variants
A310-200
The original production version.
Features included:
- Medium- to long-range capability
- Seating for around 220–250 passengers
- General Electric CF6 or Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines
- Strong performance on European and North Atlantic routes
Approximately 85 A310-200s were built.
A310-300
Introduced in 1985, the A310-300 became the most popular variant.
Improvements included:
- Increased fuel capacity
- Longer range
- Wingtip fences
- Higher maximum take-off weight
- Better fuel efficiency
With approximately 170 aircraft produced, the A310-300 accounted for the majority of all A310 deliveries.
Passenger Experience
The A310 uses the same wide-body fuselage cross-section as the Airbus A300, allowing airlines to configure the cabin in several layouts.
Typical cabin arrangements include:
- Business Class: 2-2-2
- Economy Class: 2-4-2
Passengers appreciate the spacious cabin compared to narrow-body aircraft, although the A310 predates many of today’s entertainment and connectivity systems.
Cargo Operations
Many retired passenger A310s have been converted into dedicated freighters.
The aircraft offers:
- Excellent payload capability
- Wide cargo doors
- Proven reliability
- Lower acquisition costs than newer wide-body freighters
Cargo operators continue to use the A310 on regional and international freight routes.
Military Service
The A310 proved highly adaptable for military missions.
Several countries operate modified versions for:
- Air-to-air refuelling
- Strategic airlift
- Medical evacuation
- Government and VIP transport
- Troop deployment
The A310 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) became an important military aircraft before being largely replaced by the newer Airbus A330 MRTT.
Major Operators
Over its lifetime, the Airbus A310 flew with airlines across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.
Notable operators included:
- Singapore Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Swissair
- Air France
- Air India
- TAP Air Portugal
- Royal Jordanian
- Sabena
- Pakistan International Airlines
- Air Transat
- Wardair
Today, remaining passenger aircraft are mainly operated by airlines in the Middle East and Central Asia, while several governments and military forces continue to use the type.
Why Was the Airbus A310 Successful?
The A310 filled an important gap between narrow-body aircraft and larger wide-body jets.
Its advantages included:
- Lower operating costs than the A300
- Long transatlantic range
- Reduced crew requirements
- Excellent reliability
- Commonality with other Airbus aircraft
These qualities made it attractive to airlines operating thinner long-haul routes during the 1980s and 1990s.
Legacy
Although only 255 A310s were built, the aircraft played a significant role in Airbus history. It introduced cockpit technologies, operational concepts and pilot commonality that became defining features of later Airbus aircraft.
The A310 also demonstrated that twin-engine wide-body aircraft could efficiently serve long-haul routes, helping pave the way for successful models such as the Airbus A330. Today, many surviving A310s continue flying as freighters, military transports and government aircraft, highlighting the type’s durability and versatility.
Airbus A310 Quick Facts
- ✈️ Airbus’ second commercial aircraft
- 📅 First flight: 3 April 1982
- 🛫 Entered service: 1983
- 🏭 Total built: 255
- 👨✈️ One of the first wide-body aircraft with a two-pilot glass cockpit
- 🌍 Designed for medium- and long-haul routes
- ✈️ Basis for the Airbus A310 MRTT military tanker
- 🏁 Production ended in 1998, but the aircraft remains in service with cargo, government and military operators.