Airbus
Airbus is a leading aerospace corporation known for designing, manufacturing, and selling commercial aircraft, as well as providing related services. Established in the early 1970s as a consortium of European aerospace manufacturers, Airbus has grown into a global powerhouse in the aviation industry, competing primarily with Boeing. The company is headquartered in Toulouse, France, and operates in various locations worldwide, including production facilities in Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
Airbus offers a diverse range of aircraft, from the single-aisle A220 and A320 families to the double-deck A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world. The company is also at the forefront of innovation in sustainable aviation, developing technologies aimed at reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency. In recent years, Airbus has increasingly focused on advancing its capabilities in the realm of electric and hybrid propulsion systems.
Beyond commercial aviation, Airbus plays a significant role in the defence and space sectors, providing military aircraft, satellite systems, and space exploration technologies. The company's commitment to research and development, combined with its robust engineering expertise, positions it as a key player in shaping the future of global aerospace.
Airbus A300-A310
The Airbus A300 and A310, introduced in the late 1970s and early 1980s, represent key milestones in wide-body aircraft development. Initially designed for passenger transport, they have largely shifted to cargo operations due to their versatile capabilities. The A300 was the first twin-engined wide-body airliner, offering efficiency and capacity that paved the way for freighter use. The A310, an extended variant, improved range and payload capacity.
In cargo configurations, these aircraft excel with a wide fuselage and large side cargo door for easy loading of oversized goods. Their operational efficiency and low operating costs make them appealing to cargo operators. Today, A300 and A310 freighters are crucial for global logistics, supporting supply chains and international goods transport.
DHL A300s are a common sight in the UK with main hubs at East Midlands, Luton and Heathrow.
Royal Jordanian Cargo A310s once saw regular Saturday service to Heathrow.
Airbus A320 Family
The Airbus A320 Family is a series of narrow-body aircraft designed for short to medium-haul flights. First entered into service in 1988, the Family includes several variants, such as the A318, A319, A320, and A321, catering to various passenger capacities and range requirements. Known for its cutting-edge fly-by-wire technology, the A320 Family offers enhanced safety and fuel efficiency, making it a preferred choice for airlines worldwide.
With a typical seating capacity ranging from 100 to 240 passengers, depending on the model and configuration, the A320 Family is versatile enough to accommodate various market demands. The aircraft has become a cornerstone of many airlines' fleets, lauded for its operational reliability and low maintenance costs. Additionally, the introduction of the A320neo (New Engine Option) variant further improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, reflecting the industry's ongoing commitment to sustainability.
One of the rarer types of Airbus is the A318, TAROM has four in its fleet and uses them on its daily service to London Heathrow.
Alitalia - the now defunct state run flag carrier of Italy struggled to be profitable right up to its demise in October 2021
HiSky is a Moldovan low cost carrier. Seen above is their A319 on a regular service to London Stansted
The bright blue colour scheme on this A319 is of ITA Airways the successor to the now defunct Italian state run airline Alitalia
Air Serbia A319s are a regular visitor to Heathrow along with their A320s on a twice daily service from the airlines base in Belgrade.
ZA-BEL use to be in the Air Albania fleet before being stored at the start of 2024 is seen here at Stansted on a service to the Tirana.
Seen here on approach to London Heathrow is the last Alitalia paint scheme their aircrafts wore before their demise in October 2021
Many Airlines like to preserve their heritage and paint aircraft in old colours and Scandinavian Airline System (SAS) is no exception
Another Heritage Livery is the British European Airways A319 painted as part of the British Airways Centenary in 2019
One of Bulgaria Airs A319s is seen here on approach to Heathrow on one of their five weekly flights from the Bulgarian capital Sofia
Seen above is one of the A319s owned by Croatia Airlines on approach to Heathrow with a service from Zagreb
one of SASs A320 Neos is seen on approach to Heathrow with one of up to 16 services a day from Scandinavian region
Landing at Heathrow is one of Lufthansa’s A320s which has come from either Frankfurt or Munich, both have up to 11 daily flights
Seen at Lufthansa’s main hub of Frankfurt is a A320 Neo applying reverse thrust to slow down before exiting the runway
Just after touching down at Frankfurt is one of Austrians A320s on a service from Vienna
On approach to Heathrow is one of Austrians new toys the A320 Neo in their new corporate livery.
One of the more distinctive aircraft in the British Airways fleet is G-TTNA trying to promote a more sustainable aircraft fuel
Seen on approach to Heathrow Airport is one of British Airways 80 strong fleet of A320s
Peach Aviation is one of the biggest Low Cost Carriers of Japan seen here taxiing out of Tokyo Narita
All Nippon Airways (ANA) is one of Japan’s main carriers seen here is one of their A320s departing from Tokyo Haneda
HK Express is a Hong Kong based Low Cost Carrier, it has a big fleet of A320s and operates multiple daily flights to Japan
Kuwait Airways has a small fleet of A320s for routes that don’t demand a high capacity Boeing 777
TAP Air Portugal A320 Neo is seen on approach to one of their seven daily rotations to Heathrow from Lisbon
Eurowings Discover, now Discover Airlines which is a leisure airline subsidiary of Eurowings based at Frankfurt and Munich
Condor is another airline to show off their history by painting this A320 in their historic corporate colours
Aer Lingus is the official partner of the Irish rugby team as seen below with two of their A320s painted in this scheme
Lauda Europe based in Vienna is a Subsidiary of the low cost giant Ryanair, as seen departing from Stansted
Pegasus Airlines is a Turkish airline based in Istanbul with up to 9 daily flights between Türkiye and London Stansted
Uzbekistan Airways links Heathrow and Tashkent the Uzbek capital with up to two flights a week on a mix of A320s and A321s
EgyptAir fly’s up to 3 daily flights to Heathrow of which two of them are operated by A320 Neos
Royal Jordanians flight between Amman and Heathrow is operated by B787-8s, when there is low demand A320s operate the route
Aegean serves Heathrow from its Athens base with a mix of A320 Neos and A321 Neos up to four times a day
VietJet Air is a large Low Cost Carrier based in Vietnam operating all over Asia as seen here is an A321s departing Tokyo Narita
Air Seoul is a low cost subsidiary of Asiana Airlines based in South Korea, seen here is one of their A321s arriving in Tokyo Narita
Starlux a new start up carrier from Taiwan, they have ambitious plans to expand long haul. This A321 is seen departing Naha
Many airlines in Asia love to paint special schemes including Pokémon on aircraft, China Airlines from Taiwan is no exception
Play is a low cost carrier and rival to the national carrier of Iceland, Icelandair, its A321 Neo is seen on arrival at Stansted
Jetblue is a relatively new competitor in the Transatlantic market it uses A321 Neo Aircraft from Boston and New York to Europe
Another Striking retro paint job is that of Star Alliance carrier Lufthansa Powering off Runway 18 at Frankfurt
Aer Lingus has in recent years taken ownership of A321 Neos for higher demand European routes and to expand in the USA
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a versatile twin-engine wide-body aircraft designed for long-haul flights. Introduced in the early 1990s, it is favored by airlines for its spacious cabin and advanced technology. The A330 family includes the A330-200, A330-300, and A330neo models, with the A330-200 accommodating over 200 passengers for medium to long-range flights, and the A330-300 catering to higher demand. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines, it cruises at 540 knots with a range over 7,000 nautical miles. Its comfortable cabin features wide aisles and customizable seating, enhancing passenger experience. The A330's reliability and integration ease make it a key player in aviation.
Taipei Based China Airlines uses A330-300s on Inter-Asia high capacity routes aa seen here in golden hour at Tokyo Narita
Taipei Based EVA Air uses A330-300s on Inter-Asia high capacity routes these aircraft are planned to be replaced by B787s by 2029
Asiana Airlines is another airline that has high capacity A330s for short hops like this one operating between Seoul and Tokyo
Korean Air A330s are configured in a High Capacity layout for busy routes in Asia is seen powering out of Osaka Kansai
Hong Kong Airlines based in Hong Kong uses high capacity A330s on high traffic routes out of Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Hong
Air China uses A330s on both long haul routes to and from Europe and also high demand routes in China and other Asian destinations
China Southern Airlines predominantly uses A350s and B787s on European flights with selected flights being on the A330
Beijing Capital Airlines deploys the A330 on the Qingdao-Heathrow Route twice a week
Thai Airways based in Bangkok Thailand uses the A330 on high capacity routes with in Asia this example is seen at Tokyo Haneda
When Sanctions by the US on Iran eased the IranAir placed an order for new aircraft but only a handful of A330s got delivered
Rwandair is a newcomer to Heathrow, its service from Kigali first had a stop at Brussels before flying a non stop service since 2022
Sri Lankan operates a daily A330 flight to Heathrow, at busy peak times of year this service can be up to twice daily.
Delta is a large operator of A330s including the -200, -300 and -900 Variant, seen above the A330-200 slowing down at Frankfurt
HA-LHU Hungary Air Cargo operated for the Hungarian government operated by Wizz Air seen landing at Heathrow
Seen slowing down after landing at Frankfurt, Lufthansa deploys its A330s on some quieter routes like Lagos, Almaty and Tehran.
Swiss’s long haul fleet goes to destinations like New York and Delhi, during February half term you can often see them on ski charters
Virgin Atlantic has recently taken delivery of the A330-900 to replace the older A330-300s on long haul routes
A330s form a key part of Turkish airlines fleet, these can be seen on high capacity routes to Heathrow or quieter long haul routes
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range, wide-body, four-engine jet that transformed air travel with advanced technology and performance. Introduced in the early 1990s, it met the demand for non-stop intercontinental flights, offering efficiency and comfort. With a seating capacity over 300, its spacious cabin and quieter engines create a serene flying experience. The A340 was among the first to use advanced aerodynamic designs, enhancing fuel efficiency and range. It features a 60-metre wingspan for improved lift and stability. Variants include the A340-200, A340-300, A340-500, and A340-600, with the A340-500 having the longest range. Its four-engine design adds reliability, especially on long routes. Though production ended in 2011, the A340 remains popular among aviation enthusiasts and continues to serve in various roles.
Edelweiss Air is a subsidiary of Swiss and focuses on the Leisure market with destinations like Cancun and Phuket
Lufthansa’s A340s will soon be retired so that the airline can streamline its long haul fleet
Before retirement TAP Air Portugal’s A340s predominantly flew to destinations in South America like Maputo and Recife
Virgin Atlantic used both the A340-300 and A340-600 on key routes to New York and Delhi before retirement in 2020
Air Belgium a charter and wet lease company based in Belgium, seen here is one of their A340s operating for British Airways
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas is a Spanish airline and wet lease company airlines that are short of aircraft can easily lease a fleet of A340s
Airbus A350
The Airbus A350 is a modern airliner introduced in 2013, designed for efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. Its aerodynamic composite fuselage and wings optimize fuel consumption while offering a range for 300 to 410 passengers on long-haul routes. The A350-900 and A350-1000 variants feature advanced Rolls-Royce engines that lower carbon emissions and noise levels. Inside, it provides a spacious, comfortable cabin with larger windows, better air quality, and advanced entertainment systems. The A350 represents a significant advancement in commercial aviation, blending engineering excellence with a commitment to sustainability.
Malaysia Airlines uses the A350-900 on the twice daily service between Kuala Lumpur and London
During the COVID-19 Pandemic Singapore airlines sent A350s to Heathrow due to the lower demand for passenger travel
China Airlines now operates its London service in to Heathrow, when they started flying to London they started at Gatwick
Air China in recent times has switched from sending the Boeing 777-300ER to the A350-900 on the London services
Qatar Airways was the first commercial customer of the Airbus A350-900, seen here at Heathrow on one of the 10 daily services
Ethiopian was also another early customer of the A350, one of its first destinations was London Heathrow with up to 2 daily flights
Aeroflot briefly served Heathrow with their A350-900s before they invaded Ukraine and multiple sanctions on the airline was inforced
Japan Airlines took delivery of its 16 A350-900s between 2019 and 2022 for its domestic Japanese network based at Tokyo Haneda
LATAM took delivery of the A350 between 2016 and 2018 before selling them to Delta in 2022
Seen below is one of up to two daily Finnair A350 flights to Heathrow, the A350 can also be substituted for an A330 at times
Iberia A350s are a very common visitor to Heathrow there are up to two flights a day to Heathrow that use A350s
Airbus A350-900 Construction number 02 is seen performing a demonstration flight to perspective buyers at FIA 2022
Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 Arriving at Heathrow from New York at golden hour during sunset
British Airways A350-1000 seen arriving back at its home base London Heathrow from a long haul flight
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine aircraft that stands as the world’s largest passenger airliner. Designed for long-haul flights, it can accommodate up to 850 passengers in an all-economy configuration or around 555 in a typical three-class layout. The A380 made its inaugural flight in April 2005 and entered service in October 2007, revolutionising air travel with its spacious cabins and advanced technology. Its wings, crafted from advanced composite materials, contribute to fuel efficiency and enhanced performance, making it a favourite for airlines seeking to maximise passenger capacity on key routes. Despite its impressive size and capabilities, Airbus announced the end of A380 production in 2021, marking the conclusion of an era in aviation history.
Emirates has up to 12 daily flights between Dubai and London using a combination of A380s and Boeing 777s
Emirates is well known for painting its aircraft in special liveries this is no exception, seen below is the year of the 50th livery
Emirates has painted several aircraft in various colours for Dubai Expo 2020 - Blue represents mobility
Emirates has painted several aircraft in various colours for Dubai Expo 2020 - amber tinged orange represents opportunity
Emirates has painted several aircraft in various colours for Dubai Expo 2020 - green represents sustainability
Emirates during the Dubai Expo 2020 painted several A380s in full special liveries to promote the event and Dubai
Another special livery on Emirates A380s are the United for Wildlife schemes there are several different iterations of the scheme
The latest special scheme from Emirates is the Wimbledon 2024 special A380 as they were this years official partner of the event.
Qantas A380s Serve Heathrow on the daily Sydney-Singapore-London service, this photo was taken when one was heavily delayed
Seen below is one of three A380s in different colours owned by ANA exclusively used on the Tokyo Narita-Honolulu route
Etihad A380s are used to connect their Abu Dhabi hub to Heathrow airport up to three daily services
Qatar Airways A380s fly between Doha the airlines hub and Heathrow airport up to 4 daily services
Before their replacement by A350s the Malaysia Airlines A380s operated the twice daily service to Heathrow from Kuala Lumpur
During 2020 before their retirement in 2022 China Southern Airlines Sent the A380 on a once a week service to Heathrow
With Singapore being the first customer of the A380 it was inevitable that they would serve London with them up to 2 daily
British Airways has 12 A380s in its fleet serving exotic destinations on a frequent basis like Johannesburg, Singapore and Los Angeles
