TYPE: Wide-bodied airliner.

PROGRAMME: Twin-engined A330 was developed simultaneously with four-engined A340; launched 5 June 1987; first flight (F-WWKA) with GE engines 2 November 1992; first R-R Trent 700-powered A330 flew 31 January 1994; simultaneous European and US certification with initial GE CF6-80E1 engines received 21 October 1993; first delivery (Air Inter) December 1993, entered service January 1994; certification with PW4164/4168 obtained 2 June 1994; A330 powered by GE CF6-80E1 with FADEC granted 120-minute ETOPS approval May 1994; Aer Lingus flew first ETOPS services across the Atlantic in May 1994; A330 powered by PW4164/4168 granted 90-minute ETOPS approval November 1994; certification with R-R Trent achieved 22 December 1994; 90-minute ETOPS approval granted before first delivery, to Cathay Pacific Airways, 24 February 1995. Further extensions of ETOPS to 180 minutes granted on 6 February 1995 (GE engines), 4 August 1995 (P&W) and 17 June 1996 (R-R); 180-minute ETOPS for PW4168A-powered A330-300 granted July 1999.
All main structural and systems information common to both A330 and A340 is listed in A340 entry. Differences in A330 given here.

CURRENT VERSIONS: A330-300: Baseline version; seating capacity 295 in three classes (12 first, 42 business, 241 economy). Payload increase of 7,000 kg (15,432 lb) offered for standard A330-300 in October 1993. Maximum T-O weight increased to 217,000 kg (478,400 lb) from November 1995 to allow typical 335 passengers to be carried 4,850 n miles (8,982 km; 5,581 miles), further increase to 230,000 kg (507,050 lb) with range increased to 5,600 n miles (10,370 km, 6,444 miles) offered in 1997; first aircraft to this standard ordered by Air Canada in 1997, but first in service was a Korean Air example in May 1999. Optional higher maximum T-O weight of 233,000 kg (513,675 lb) available from early 2001; earlier 230,000 kg (507,050 lb) versions can be retrofitted.
A330-200: Extended-range version; launched 24 November 1995; 10-frame reduction in fuselage length to 59.00 m (193 ft 6¾ in); maximum T-O weight 230,000 kg (507,050 lb); higher MTOW available from early 2001, as per A330-300. 253 passengers in three classes (12 first, 36 business, 205 economy) or 293 passengers in two classes; range with 253 passengers 6,650 n miles (12,315 km; 7,652 miles); engine choice as for A330-300; initial order, for 13, placed in March 1996 by ILFC. First flight (c/n 181, F-WWKA, with CF6-80E1 engines) 13 August 1997 was followed by public debut at Dubai Air Show in November 1997. Canada 3000 first user (on lease from ILFC) with first flight of production aircraft (C-GGWA) 20 January 1998 and delivery on 29 May 1998 following FAA/JAA/Transport Canada certification on 31 March 1998. First direct airline order from Korean Air, received second built in June 1998 (c/n 195, with PW4000 engines) following 4 December 1997 first flight and May 1998 certification. Version with Rolls-Royce Trents (re-engined first prototype) flew 24 June 1998 and following JAR and Transport Canada certification in January 1999 was delivered to Air Transat in February 1999. First with uprated CF6-80A1A3s delivered to Air France 17 December 2001.
AirTanker consortium bid for UK Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) contract offered A330-200 tankers, using new airframes converted by Cobham, which would enter service in 2007; selected as preferred platform January 2004.
A330-100: Proposed nine-frame reduction of A330-200; not built.
A330-200F: Proposed freighter version; possible DC-10/MD-11 replacement; planned launch at Paris Air Show in June 2001 was deferred to unspecified date. Maximum payload 63,500 kg (140,000 lb) over 4,200 n miles (7,778 km; 4,833 miles). Capacity for 20 2.24 x 3.17 x 2.44 m (88 x 125 x 96 in) pallets or containers on main deck and a combination of up to 14 LD3 plus up to 6 LD6 containers on the lower deck. Estimated market for 200 aircraft over next 10 years.
A330-500: Proposed eight-frame reduction of A330-200, announced July 2000 and initially internally designated A330-M18; suspended in favour of A380 programme.

CUSTOMERS: Total of 469 sold, of which 282 delivered by 1 January 2004.

COSTS: A330-200 US$135.3 million; A330-300 US$150.6 million (2002).

FLYING CONTROLS: Control surface maximum deflections: ailerons ±25o; aileron droop 10o; elevator +15o/-30o; rudder ±30o; flaps 32o; No. 1 spoiler, speed brake 23o, lift dumper 35o; Nos. 2 to 6 spoilers, roll 35o, speed brake 30o, lift dumper 50o; slats 23o; stabilisers +2o/-14o.

POWER PLANT: Two turbofans. Initial application was 287 kN (64,530 lb st) GE CF6-80E1A2 turbofans (297 kN; 64,530 lb st E1A4 on longer-range version); alternative engines, using common pylon and mount, GE CF6-80E1A3 (each 305 kN; 68,530 lb st), P&W PW4168/A (305 kN; 68,600 lb st), R-R Trent 772-60/772B-60A (316 kN, 71,100 lb st), PW4164 (287 kN; 64,500 lb) and Trent 768-60 (300 kN; 67,500 lb st).
Fuel capacities:A330-200: Total 139,527 litres (36,860 US gallons; 30,693 Imp gallons), of which 437 litres (115,4 US gallons; 96.1 Imp gallons) unusable. Wimg tanks total 91,648 litres (24,212 US gallons; 20,160 Imp gallons); centre tank 41,643 litres (11,001 US gallons; 9,160 Imp gallons); trim tank 6,236 litres (1,647 US gallons; 1,372 Imp gallons).
A330-301/321/322/341/342: Total 97,525 litres (25,764 US gallons; 21,453 Imp gallons), of which 354 litres (93.4 US gallons; 77.9 Imp gallons) unusable. Wing tanks total 91,404 litres (24,147 US gallons; 20,107 Imp gallons); trim tank 6,121 litres (1,617 US gallons; 1,346 Imp gallons).
A330-323/343: Total 98,239 litres (25,952 US gallons; 21,610 Imp gallons), of which 354 litres (93.4 US gallons; 77.9 Imp gallons) unusable. Wing tanks total 92,112 litres (24,334 US gallons; 20,262 Imp gallons); trim tank 6,127 litres (1,619 US gallons; 1,348 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: A330-200 and -300 certified for 375 passengers, with three pairs of Type A and one pair of Type 1 emergency exits, or 379 passengers with four pairs of Type A exits.