The A300 is a single deck, twin-aisle wide-body aircraft. The A300 family has several variants but the two main ones are the A300-B2/B4 models, and the A300-600 model. The A300-B2/B4 has a wingspan of 147 feet, a length of 176 feet and a height of 54 feet. Maximum takeoff weight for the A300-B4 is 363,760 lb. The updated A300-600 series has very similar dimensions but features a maximum takeoff weight of up to 375,900 lb. depending on model number and engines. The significantly larger Airbus A380 is a double-deck, twin-aisle wide-body aircraft that features a wingspan of 262 feet, a length of 239 feet and height of 79 feet. Maximum takeoff weight for the passenger variant is 1,234,600 lb.
The A300-B2/B4 series typically carries between 220 and 336 passengers and has a relatively short maximum range between 1,850 for B2 models and 3,400 nautical miles for B4 models. The A300-600 series has a similar seating capacity but features a significantly improved maximum range of 4,070 nautical miles depending on configuration, making the A300-600 a true medium-long range wide-body. The A380 usually seats 500 to 600 passengers, although maximum certified capacity is 853 passengers. The maximum range of the A380 is 8,000 nautical miles.
The A300 was a state-of-the-art airliner design in the 1970s but is no longer in production. The A300 is a typical wide-body design that is made mostly from metal. The A300 featured a supercritical wing design to aid flight at high subsonic speeds, which was revolutionary at the time. Over time, the A300 has improved with the addition of advanced electronics and autopilot systems, wingtip fences, and a modernized cockpit. It was the first wide-body aircraft to use only two cockpit crew members. The A380 benefits from newer technologies such as improved aerodynamics, a much greater use of composite structures (which lower weight), fly-by-wire flight control systems, glass cockpit technology and other advancements. The A380 also benefits from more fuel-efficient engines and use of lightweight materials throughout.
The A300-B2/B4 production began in 1974 and ended in 1994. A300-600 production ended in 2007 with the delivery of the final A300-600 freighter. In total, more than 550 Airbus A300 were built and delivered, and most remain in service. The A380 made its maiden flight in 2005 and went into production in 2007. As of 2011, there have been nearly 250 orders and almost 50 Airbus A380s are in service.
