Airbus A340-600

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The A340-600 came in to Gatwick today operating a Virgin route proving flight. I got a couple of pics, one of which is below:

http://www.plane-mad.com/pictures/ab3461.jpg

So, what do you all think of the largest Airbus yet?
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Original post

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RE: Airbus A340-600

Its a nice aircraft though to me it looks a bit flimsy and as if it has been stretched a bit to much.Great picture btw.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

nice and long but thats about it
not really a flash aircraft to look at

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RE: Airbus A340-600

I disagree, it is a beautiful looking aeroplane.

It might look a bit long, but that only induces gracefulness.

The 757-300 and some of the MD-80's - now they look way too long!

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RE: Airbus A340-600

wouldnt mind seeing it t/o fully loaded in JOBURG that would be something to see

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RE: Airbus A340-600

A little too stretched out...but is looking good.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-04-02 AT 07:08 AM (GMT)]I've seen some nice planes in Joburg! My brother told me SAA is thinking of replacing its fleet by Airbus. Well, let me just say one thing : SAA is a lot better than Air France. Cuisine, quality of seats, fresh air, friendly stewards. SAA is probably the best service i have ever flown with.

Do you fly for SAA, Monster?

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RE: Airbus A340-600

Yes, SAA is planning to replace all B737-800s in near future, although the reason i dont understand. Anyway heres a pic of A340-600.
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RE: Airbus A340-600

SAA is OK, but not sure about the cabin crew! They always seemed quite surly to me. Plus, the title of their inflight magazine is a bit of a tongue twister!

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RE: Airbus A340-600

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-04-02 AT 03:24 PM (GMT)]A bit strange that SAA wants to replace their 737's, as they have their own financial problems after the Swissair tragedy. The SA government is now the main stockholder again, but I hope they don't make the same mistakes as the Belgian gov. did with Sabena.

Anyway, SAA also sponsers the wildlife in Africa (Krugerpark), which is very expensive, so they must have enough money.

In the Apartheidsmuseum in Jo'burg, I've seen a SAA B-747 painted in the olympic colors, to promote the new SA.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

In a press confrence recently the CEO of SAA said that it was not affected after what happened to Swissair.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

Which routes has the aircraft being operating on?

Shaun

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RE: Airbus A340-600

Nice a/c...its sooooooooooooo long...maybe a bit too long.

Regards

Ben

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RE: Airbus A340-600

I work for emirates but with the elevation above sea level it generally makes for good viewing on t/o at Joburg.I saw a Qantas 744 t/o from there recently and it needed every inch of the runway.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

I have flown with Sabena 747-300, Airfrance A340-300, KLM 747-400, BA 747-400 and SAA 747-300 and they all use the full lenght of the runway on take off at Joburg. They all seem to take ages to get in the air from there.. Mind you the airport has been upgraded very well although still not finished.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

The great use of the TORA may be down to the air pressure/humidity @ J'burg. Less air particles in the air will result in difficulty in flying. (no 'grab' for the engine.)

I dont have a clue what its like there. Anybody know?

Regards

Ben

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RE: Airbus A340-600

I like the A340, very similar to the IL86/92, but in this case they have just stretched it too much. Planes are nice with the dimensions they originally had.

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RE: Airbus A340-600

I think its called progress gentlemen!!!

I think it looks good, as do the 757300's!!

LGKR

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RE: Airbus A340-600

I know this sounds silly but in the pic is that a fire trail behind the airbus??

Is this normal or something odd??

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RE: Airbus A340-600

Yeah Kelly it's sparks fromt the orange plate on the tail coming into contact with the ground - the a/c is on a test flight here only.