Airbus A340-313X - Air France

THE MAKING OF

The four-engine, long-haul Airbus A340 is a high-capacity passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus on the same basis as the Airbus A330.

This aircraft was designed in response to the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, a large, very long-haul carrier. Its creation stems from a Germany-France partnership and industrial reasons are behind launching the Airbus A320 prior to the A340.

Our A340 (313X version) extended-range aircraft is equipped with 4 CFM56-5C4 engines. This plane was so popular with many airlines that the program was a resounding commercial success. It was considered the best airplane of its kind ever produced.

Airbus ceased its manufacturing in 2011 following the economic crisis of 2008 and the increase of the fuel prices.

Airbus also launched a ''Gala'' version which is a redesigned A340 leaning on luxury features to appeal to VIPs.

OUR AIRBUS 

The A340-313X registered F-GLZR last set its wheels on European soil (where it was manufactured) on 22 January 2018. At the beginning of the 21st century, the 313X is one of the last A340s to fly with Air France, the French national airline. This aircraft is a direct reflection of the legendary four-engine planes such as the B707 or B747.

Its over-fuel-intensive engine now forces airlines to gradually replace it with more efficient twin-engines that are better adapted to the changing passenger airline market.

After having been dismantling the latest aircraft of this model to supply the second-hand market with spare parts, Flight Inspiration® took possession of a section of the fuselage and cut out certain areas of the roof to offer you a limited edition of Aircraft Skin Keychains released in 2 series: a heavy/thicker version and a normal thickeness version.

Nicknamed "Draft Horse" for its robustness and reliability by the airlines, this F-GLZR aircraft was a familiar sight on the tarmacs and the skies of North and South America during its 19-year career.

For this Airbus's Aircraft Skin Keychains, Camille de Montmorillon designed the shape using the distinctive contour of the Airbus windows as a model.