Airbus A300

Airbus A300 - The original Airbus
In the late 1960s, American manufacturers held a strong monopoly on airliner production. The Airbus A300 was the first product from Airbus’ consortium of European aerospace companies, but its origins actually begin with American Airlines. In 1966, American Airlines began looking for a replacement for the Boeing 727. They had specific requirements for this vessel: it should be able to carry 250-300 people in twin aisles, it should have two engines, and it should be able to carry full passengers without incurring penalties from high-altitude airports, a problem at the time with many American airports. 

Airbus A300 - Versatility, economy and reliability
The Airbus A300 was the European response to this problem, an airliner designed to meet and surpass American domestic requirements. The airliner itself didn’t enter service until 1974 with Air France and later with Lufthansa, but these days, primary users include American Airlines (the original contractor), FedEx, and Japan Airlines. Although recently production has stopped on the A300, it continues to hold a dominant place in the marketplace. Airbus has committed to continue servicing and working with A300s for at least the next fifteen years. The A300 was an important airliner not only because of its longstanding use, but because it cemented European cooperation in constructing airliners. Although there were many disputes about design and construction, European companies from various countries teamed up to produce the first A300. In fact, the A300’s first flight is commemorated on a French stamp.  

Airbus A380 - More than 80 operators worldwide
The A300 also introduced the concept of building airliner parts at different locations, then assembling them at a later time. This proved much more profitable than building the entire jet in one location, and the procedure was later adopted by Boeing, who began importing parts from Japan. While it is an important aircraft, the A300’s primary importance was in establishing Airbus and European cooperation in the aviation industry. Today, Airbus is a major player in airliner production. The A300 and A310 are in service with more than 80 operators worldwide, operating with scheduled and charter airlines.

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