11 Airlines Still Using the Airbus A340 – Full List Inside!
The Airbus A340, a long-haul, four-engine aircraft, continues to serve scheduled passenger flights with select airlines worldwide. Despite being an older model with higher fuel consumption, its low ownership costs make it a viable choice for some carriers. In February 2025, 11 airlines will operate the A340 on over 80 routes, covering 38 countries and 74 airports. This article provides a detailed overview of these airlines, key routes, and airport operations.
Airlines Operating the Airbus A340 in February 2025
The following airlines have scheduled A340 flights in February:
- Conviasa
- Cubana (using wet-leased Plus Ultra aircraft)
- Edelweiss
- Iran Aseman Airlines
- Kam Air
- Lufthansa
- Mahan Air
- Plus Ultra
- South African Airways
- Surinam Airways (using wet-leased Universal Sky Carrier aircraft)
- SWISS
Some charter airlines, such as Hi Fly Malta, are excluded from this list. Additionally, certain airlines, like Syrian Arab Airlines and Azerbaijan Airlines, have their A340s parked, with no scheduled passenger flights planned.
Lufthansa: The Largest A340 Operator
Lufthansa remains the world’s leading A340 operator, with 27 aircraft in its fleet. It will operate nearly 40% of all A340 flights in February 2025. The airline primarily flies the A340-300 and A340-600, using them for long-haul routes.
Other major A340 operators include:
- Mahan Air (25% of all A340 flights) – Operates the A340-200, A340-300, and A340-600.
- Kam Air and SWISS (8% each) – Both airlines are tied for third place in terms of A340 usage.
- South African Airways (2%) – A smaller player in A340 operations.
Together, these five airlines account for over 80% of all A340 flights worldwide.
Key A340 Routes and Destinations
Top Airports Handling A340 Flights
The A340 will be seen on a scheduled basis at 74 airports across 38 countries. The leading airports for A340 operations include:
- Frankfurt (FRA) – Lufthansa’s hub and the busiest A340 airport
- Tehran Imam Khomeini (IKA) – A major hub for Iranian carriers
- Zurich (ZRH) – Key for SWISS’ long-haul flights
- Dubai International (DXB) – A major transit hub
- Istanbul Airport (IST) – Busy for Mahan Air’s regional flights
In the United States, nine airports will receive A340 flights in February:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Boston (BOS)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Denver (DEN)
- Detroit (DTW)
- New York JFK (JFK)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Tampa (TPA)
Lufthansa and Edelweiss will operate flights to these U.S. destinations, while SWISS will return briefly in May and June.
Most Popular A340 Routes in February
The table below highlights the busiest A340 routes in February 2025:
| Route | A340 Take-offs (Feb 2025) | Airline(s) & Aircraft | % of Total Flights on This Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tehran (IKA) – Istanbul (IST) | 100 | Mahan Air (-300, -600, occasionally -200), Iran Aseman (-300) | 26% |
| Tehran (IKA) – Dubai (DXB) | 84 | Mahan Air (-600, -300, -200) | 28% |
| Zurich (ZRH) – Johannesburg (JNB) | 43 | SWISS (-300) | 100% |
| Frankfurt (FRA) – New York JFK | 37 | Lufthansa (-300, -600) | 39% |
| Frankfurt (FRA) – Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 32 | Lufthansa (-600, -300) | 39% |
| Frankfurt (FRA) – Mumbai (BOM) | 28 | Lufthansa (-300) | 58% |
| Kabul (KBL) – Dubai (DXB) | 28 | Kam Air (-300) | 23% |
| Frankfurt (FRA) – Vancouver (YVR) | 28 | Lufthansa (-300) | 100% |
| Zurich (ZRH) – Shanghai (PVG) | 27 | SWISS (-300) | 100% |
| Frankfurt (FRA) – Boston (BOS) | 26 | Lufthansa (-600) | 100% |
The Tehran–Istanbul and Tehran–Dubai routes are the two busiest A340 corridors. Mahan Air dominates these routes, often deploying all three A340 variants.
Despite being a fuel-intensive aircraft, the Airbus A340 continues to play a significant role in long-haul travel for select airlines worldwide. Lufthansa remains the largest operator, with Mahan Air, Kam Air, SWISS, and South African Airways following closely behind.
In February 2025, the A340 will be deployed on over 80 routes, connecting 38 countries and 74 airports, with key hubs including Frankfurt, Tehran, Zurich, Dubai, and Istanbul. While the aircraft type is gradually being phased out by many airlines, it remains a critical asset for carriers in regions where fleet expansion is restricted.
