Airbus’s Longest Aircraft Gets More Seats to Rebuild Value

Airbus SAS plans to lift the seat count on the A340 wide-body jet and cut maintenance costs in an effort to prop up the market value for its longest aircraft, which went out of production two years ago after slack sales.

The plan, which needs approval from regulators, would see the seat count on the twin-aisle A340-600 go to 475 from 440, according to a presentation by Airbus and engine makers in London yesterday to A340 owners. Service costs on the four-engine jet would fall to the equivalent of two powerplants to improve its economics.