AIRCRAFT STORIES - A330-200

A330-200

The shortest fuselage member of the A330 series provides airlines with excellent range and cargo capacity.

EXCEPTIONAL FLEXIBILITY

The A330-200 is the shorter-fuselage variant of Airbus’ A330 twin-engine widebody family, and has the versatility to cover all ranges from short-haul to true long-haul, with ideal sizing for point-to-point operations. 

Its optimised 222-inch fuselage cross-section – which is shared with the other members of Airbus’ A330/A340 Family – accommodates 253 passengers in a comfortable two-class cabin layout that provides more window and aisle seats in much quieter cabins.  As a modern jetliner, the A330-200 accepts the latest in-flight entertainment, including video-on-demand, mobile telephone and e-mail via satellite.

Another advantage of the A330-200’s fuselage is its large-capacity underfloor cargo holds, which accommodate industry-standard LD3 containers in side-by-side loading, as well as 96-inch pallets.

The A330-200 is well established with major carriers around the world, and has become a preferred aircraft for charter and leisure operators, as well as the growing low-cost long-haul market segment.  With Airbus commonality in cockpit and cabin systems, an increasing number of airlines that fly the single-aisle A320 Family are discovering the advantages of stepping up to the widebody A330-200 for higher-capacity, longer-range service. 

UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS

Airbus’ continuous investment in the A330 Family benefits the A330-200 version by lowering costs and improving operations. This includes system upgrades and enhancements, the introduction of advanced navigation aids and new-generation flight instrumentation, and engine upgrades.  Updated passenger cabin features developed for the A330 include state-of-the-art LED lighting, smoother contours with softened lines and new interior styling – all of which provide a lighter, brighter and more spacious interior.

An increased maximum takeoff weight of 242 metric tonnes was launched by Airbus in November 2012.  The new 242-tonne A330-200 will fly  350 nautical miles  farther – to over 7,200 nautical miles (13,350 km.) – with 246 passengers and carry over 3.4 tonnes more payload than the previous 238-tonne A330-200 version.  This latest takeoff weight increase also will bring increased fuel efficiency thanks to wing aerodynamic refinements and enhancements to the engines.

LONG-RANGE CREW ACCOMMODATIONS

For long-distance operations, the A330-200 can be fitted with innovative crew rest areas. A secure rest facility for pilots with one or two bunks is designed to be located next to the cockpit for easy, rapid access.  A mobile rest area for cabin crews can be installed in the aircraft’s lower-deck aft cargo hold and accessed by a stair from the main cabin – thereby eliminating any impact on