Tweet
SA's main benefit of the 340-600 is the ability to lift valuable weight from JNB I believe, which is a hot and high airport, and the 340-600 easily outperforms the twin jets- 777 and the likes. Apparently the 777s can't even come closer to what the quad jets can do !
it may drink a bit more fuel, but for those purposes, it is the best. And hence the use for 340-600 and Arik's 340-500
And the PK's 772Ws proved that a twin jet is not the best for hot/high conditions, when the new 772Ws struggled, with weight restrictions - true
With lowering fuel costs, except those airlines trying to rationalise the fleets, the 340's may hang on for a while longer than expected, just like the 747-400s .
One benefit for the 340 series, as is overlooked, is the lesser requirement as with a quad jet- no ETOPS certifications/verifications and works best for long over water routes. IB predominantly fly 340-600s to the Latin American Countries, again, high altitude airports.
it may drink a bit more fuel, but for those purposes, it is the best. And hence the use for 340-600 and Arik's 340-500
And the PK's 772Ws proved that a twin jet is not the best for hot/high conditions, when the new 772Ws struggled, with weight restrictions - true
With lowering fuel costs, except those airlines trying to rationalise the fleets, the 340's may hang on for a while longer than expected, just like the 747-400s .
One benefit for the 340 series, as is overlooked, is the lesser requirement as with a quad jet- no ETOPS certifications/verifications and works best for long over water routes. IB predominantly fly 340-600s to the Latin American Countries, again, high altitude airports.
Comment