A340-600 vs 747-8 Intercontinental
The 747-8 Intercontinental leads, topping 5 of 7 compared metrics.
The Airbus A340-600 (introduced 2002) and the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 747-8 Intercontinental (introduced 2012) are two aircraft buyers regularly weigh against each other. Both are commercial, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the 747-8 Intercontinental carries more passengers. undefined
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A340-600 vs 747-8 Intercontinental: the key differences
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 3% more range (A340-600: 7,500 nm; 747-8 Intercontinental: 7,730 nm).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 1% more cruise speed (A340-600: 488 kt; 747-8 Intercontinental: 495 kt).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental delivers 23% more passenger capacity (A340-600: 380 seats; 747-8 Intercontinental: 467 seats).
- The 747-8 Intercontinental is the newer design (introduced 2012 versus 2002 for the A340-600), a gap of 10 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The 747-8 Intercontinental is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (987,000 lbs versus 837,756 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for nonstop ultra-long-haul routes, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the 747-8 Intercontinental seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the 747-8 Intercontinental leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The A340-600 can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
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A340-600 vs 747-8 Intercontinental: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the A340-600 or the 747-8 Intercontinental?
The 747-8 Intercontinental has the longer published range — 7,730 nm versus 7,500 nm for the A340-600.
Does the A340-600 or 747-8 Intercontinental seat more passengers?
The 747-8 Intercontinental carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 467 seats, compared with 380 on the A340-600.
Which is faster, the A340-600 or the 747-8 Intercontinental?
The 747-8 Intercontinental cruises faster, at 495 kt versus 488 kt for the A340-600.
Which is newer, the A340-600 or the 747-8 Intercontinental?
The 747-8 Intercontinental is the newer design, introduced in 2012 versus 2002 for the A340-600.
Is the A340-600 or the 747-8 Intercontinental the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the 747-8 Intercontinental is the larger aircraft — 987,000 lbs versus 837,756 lbs for the A340-600.
Should I buy the A340-600 or the 747-8 Intercontinental?
On published specifications the 747-8 Intercontinental leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The A340-600 can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the A340-600 vs 747-8 Intercontinental?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.