Rare quadjet: Can you still fly an Airbus A340 in 2026?
December 26, 2025
Once a long-haul workhorse, the days of the iconic Airbus A340 quadjet are numbered. The global A340 fleet is being phased out due to its high fuel consumption, which is attributed to the four-engine design. With more efficient twin-engine jets like the A350 and Boeing 787 taking the lead, a handful of airlines are scheduled to fly the A340s in 2026.
1. Lufthansa
German flag carrier Lufthansa remains the largest operator of the type. The airline operates a fleet of 22 A340s, comprising 16 A340-300s and six A340-600s. While the airline is in the process of phasing out its A340 fleet, it continues to operate the type due to delays in Boeing 787 deliveries.
The carrier’s A340-300 fleet is configured with 279 seats in three classes (30 Business, 28 Premium, 221 Economy), whereas the longer-range -600s feature 281 seats in four classes (8 First, 44 Business, 32 Premium, 213 Economy).
The airline plans to utilise its A340s on high-capacity transatlantic routes, primarily to North America. All A340 routes are served from the carrier’s Frankfurt (FRA) hub. Major destinations that will see Lufthansa’s A340s in 2026 are:
- Boston Logan (BOS) – A340-300s and -600s
- New York JFK (JFK) – A340-3005
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – A340-300s
- Vancouver, Canada (YVR) – A340-300s
- Dubai, UAE (DXB) – A340-300s
- Mumbai, India (BOM) – A340-300s
- Tehran, Iran (IKA) – A340-300s
2. Mahan Air
Iran’s flag carrier, Mahan Air, operates a fleet of 15 A340s, including three airframes parked. Planespotters states that the airline’s A340 fleet comprises one A340-200 (acquired in September 2023), nine -300s, and five -600s. The Tehran-based airline operates its A340s to domestic and international destinations, primarily across Asia and Europe.
In 2026, the airline is scheduled to operate a majority of its long-haul routes on the A340S, linking the country’s capital, Tehran (IKA), to Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Bangkok, Delhi, and Phuket. Despite having an average age of 25.8 years across the A340 fleet, Mahan Air does have plans to retire the type anytime soon.
3. Swiss International Air Lines
Switzerland’s flag carrier, Swiss, operates a fleet of four A340-300s. While the airline is phasing out its A340s in favor of the ultra-efficient A350-900s, it plans to operate some long-haul routes through 2026. The carrier configured its A340-300 fleet with 215 seats in four classes (8 First, 42 Business, 21 Premium, 144 Economy).
With the A340 usage continuing to decrease through 2026, the airline plans a full withdrawal by mid-2027. The carrier’s A340s will primarily operate a handful of routes from Zurich (ZRH) in 2026, including;
- Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB)
- Shanghai, China (PVG)
- Seoul, South Korea (ICN)
4. Edelweiss Air
The Swiss leisure carrier, Edelweiss, operates a fleet of five A340-300s (some loaned from its sister carrier, Swiss), but has begun retiring the type since October 2025. The airline has replaced the quadjet with A350s on major North American routes, including Calgary, Halifax, and Vancouver. However, the A340 fleet will continue to operate a few destinations like Tampa and Colombo through spring and summer 2026.
The airline configured its A340-300 fleet with 314 seats in three classes (29 Business, 76 Economy Max, 195 Economy). The airline plans to phase out its A340 fleet by late 2026 or early 2027. Major scheduled routes that will see Edelweiss’ A340s in 2026 are between Zurich (ZRH) and:
- Tampa, Florida (TPA)
- Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB)
5. Iran Aseman Airlines
Iran Aseman Airlines operates a single A340-300 aircraft, registered EP-APA. Rolled out by Airbus as a test demo unit in February 1992, this very airframe is approaching 40 years of service.
In 2026, the airline has scheduled the type on its short-haul international routes, primarily linking Tehran (IKA) to Istanbul (IST) and Isparta (ISE) in Turkey. Known for its high frequency, these are core routes for Aseman Airlines.
6. SpiceJet
SpiceJet recently became the newest operator of the A340 as it began scheduled flights to high-demand routes for the Indian capital, including Delhi (DEL) to Bangkok (BKK). The airline utilises leased Airbus A340s from Legend Airlines to operate seasonal pilgrimage routes between India and Saudi Arabia.
SpiceJet also focuses on international cargo flights across Asia and Europe. Legend Airlines’ three A340-300 are approximately 18 years old and fitted with 324 all-economy seats.
Featured Image: Vuxi / Wikimedia Commons
