A340-600 Route Proving 2002

On the final segments of a highly successful world route proving tour, the A340-600 crossed the Asia/Pacific region this weekend and returned to Europe.

On the Singapore-Manila flight, Captain Hensel, the Lufthansa A340 fleet Training Manager, explained he is particul

FLIGHT: FRANKFURT > SINGAPORE

The pilots flying the A340-600 are delighted. "The A340-300 and -600 are very similar in response to pilot inputs and the cockpits are practically identical," said Captain Tegtmeyer, Technical Pilot, Lufthansa A340 fleet. "The A340-300 was alre

The A340-600 zipped back across the Atlantic from San Francisco, arriving some 45 minutes early at Frankfurt, thus beating the fog that slowed down operations not long thereafter. It made another beautiful touchdown, illustrating the ease with which A340-300 pilots are flying the larger model.

FLIGHT: MONTREAL > VANCOUVER > SAN FRANCISCO

The A340-600 arrived in Montreal, home base of future operator Air Canada, and taxied straight to the airline's own facilities where the aircraft and its crew were met by a delegation led by Air Canada President and CEO Robert Milton.

From

The flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco highlighted the A340-600's smooth cruising qualities. The aircraft took off from Frankfurt at 344 tonnes, performed a brisk climb to flight level 340, gradually reaching level 410, and flew the entire sector at Mach 0.84. Passengers, including press,

FLIGHT: Frankfurt > San Francisco

The A340-600 left Frankfurt this morning at 9.30 am for the first leg of its second week of route proving. Following a very successful first week, the aircraft now manned by a Lufthansa crew, is flying toward San Francisco which it is expected to reach in

FLIGHT: Hong Kong > Los Angeles > New York

The A340-600 arrived in Los Angeles an hour in advance on its schedule after a peaceful and uneventful 13 hour flight from Hong Kong across the Pacific, including flying the approach to the US at 623 knots (1150 km/h) ground speed. The aircraf

The A340-600 has left Hong Kong and is now on its way to Los Angeles for its first  transpacific crossing. As the aircraft cruises at an altitude of 32,500 feet/9,900 metres through the night, the new cabin is drawing praise for its remarkable quietness in all classes as passengers settl

Today's route proving programme involved two short legs on some of Asia's busiest trunk routes, as the A340-600 left Narita this morning for Taipei arriving at lunch time and leaving again in afternoon for a flight back to Hong Kong. The aircraft remains on static display in Hong Kong for the

Following an overnight flight from London-Heathrow to Hong Kong, the A340-600  performed a quick turn around in Hong Kong and flew onwards to Shanghai where it arrived toward  midday. The aircraft and its crew were greeted by a welcome delegation from China Eastern Airlines, a futur

Local time of departure: 12.30

Weather at departure airport: good

The A340-600 taking off from London Heathrow today at 12.30 local time on the first leg of its route proving flights.

The aircraft, which will fly direct to Hong Kong, is carrying 115 passengers, including special