AIRCRAFT PROGRAM
| Lift type | Fixed wing | ||
| Construction type | Factory-built | ||
| Control type | Piloted | ||
| Engine type | Turbofan | ||
| Application | Passenger large | ||
| Final assembly | Toulouse (Blagnac) | ||
| Search for other aircraft programs with these properties on the Aircraft Programs directory page. | |||
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Wide body twin engine airliner.
Long, slender wings are approximately 13% composite materials including outer flaps, flap track fairings, ailerons, spoilers, fixed surface panels and winglets; aluminium wing box and rib edges; aluminium alloy fuselage; and steel or titanium slat supports. Choice of 3 engines - General Electric CF6, Pratt & Whitney PW4000, or Rolls-Royce Trent 700, suspended on pylons under wings. Exclusive use of Trent 7000 on A330neo improves fuel efficiency, as well as an extended, 3D-optimised wing with composite wingtip Sharklets, titanium pylons and composite nacelles.
Fly-by-wire digital control system features three primary and two secondary flight control systems, and a flight envelope limit protection system. Flight controls are hydraulically activated and electronically controlled with mechanical back up for the rudder and Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer.
Two crew in glass cockpit with side stick controls and rudder pedals, face six main displays of a duplicated set of Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) including the Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor (ECAM), primary flight and navigation displays.
| Variant | Launch/First flight | Production end | |
| Airbus A330-300 | 1987 / 1992 | Original model typically seating 300 passengers, including most recent A330 Regional, typically 400 passengers. | |
| Airbus A330-200 | 1995 / 1997 | Shorter variant with extended range, seating 246 passengers. Includes A330-200F freighter and ACJ330 Prestige business jet. | |
| Airbus A330 MRTT | 2007 / 2010 | Tanker transport military variant. Known as KC-30A in Australia, and Voyager KC2 and KC3 in the U.K. Includes the U.S. Air Force aerial refueler variant, LMXT by Lockheed Martin. | |
| Airbus A330-743L Beluga XL | 2014 / 2018 | Inflated fuselage variant for transporting A350 sub-assemblies between plants. | |
| Airbus A330-800/900 | 2014 / 2017 | Two models in the latest A330neo range with strenghtened wing and Sharklets. |
View full news archive for the Airbus A330.
See recent updates (latest 08/06/2026)
| Airbus S.A.S. | News | |
| Airbus Defence & Space HQ | News | A330 MRTT variant |
| Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company | News | Prime contractor LMXT variant |
Other aircraft programs: Airbus A380, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, Airbus A400M, Airbus A320, Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules, Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, Airbus A220, Airbus A350, Airbus (Airtech) CN235, KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, Airbus C295, AT² Aerospace Z1, Airbus Perlan II, Airbus ZEROe
| Design | Design (3) Design Software (1) |
| Materials | Adhesives (2) Coatings (4) Composite Materials (13) Metals (6) Non-metal Materials (6) Plastics (1) |
| Manufacturing Processes & Treatments | Computer Integrated Manufacturing (1) Forming Processes (2) Machining & Metal Removal (6) Manufacturing Services (3) Metal Processing & Heat Treatment (1) Plating (3) Processes (1) Technical Consultants (3) Tooling (6) |
| Production Equipment, Tools & Facilities | Handling Equipment (2) Process & Finishing Equipment (2) Production Control (3) Tools (5) |
| Airframe & Structures | Airframe Assemblies (47) Cargo Systems (5) Landing Assemblies (14) Structural Components (22) Weapons Systems (2) Windows & Glass (2) |
| Propulsion | Auxiliary Power (2) Engine Rotating & Gas-Path Parts (21) Turbine Engines (3) |
| Mechanical Systems & Hardware | Actuation (12) Bearings (2) Covers & Accessories (1) Fasteners (2) Mechanical Connectors (1) Mechanical Hardware (16) Power Transmission (9) Switches (3) Tubing, Hoses & Conduits (5) Valves (6) |
| Fluid, Fuel & Environmental Systems | Environmental Systems (15) Fluid Power (6) Fuel Systems (9) Oxygen Systems & Equipment (3) |
| Electrical & Electronic | Active Electronic Components (1) Batteries & Accessories (1) Electrical Power Systems (7) Electrical/Electronic Connectors (1) Lighting (5) Terminals, Relays & Switching (10) |
| Avionics, Instruments & Sensors | Air Data & Flight Instruments (6) Avionic Hardware (5) Communications (Airborne) (13) Flight & Data Management (9) Imaging and Visual Systems (3) Navigation Aids (3) Sensors, Transducers & Detectors (3) Warning Systems (3) |
| Interiors, Safety & Crew | Crew Seating (2) Furnishing & Trim (25) Safety & Emergency Systems (11) |
| Test, Inspection & Measurement | Inspection & Non-Destructive Testing (1) Measurement & Instruments (3) Test & Measurement Meters (8) Test Services (5) |