What Kind of Aircraft is Iran Air's Airbus 330?

The second new Airbus 330 of Iran Air, model 200, arrived in Iran on March 12. But what characteristics does this aircraft, currently the most modern in Iran's airline fleet, possess? The Airbus 330 in series 200 can carry 250 passengers, and in series 300, it can carry 300 passengers in two classes. The price of this aircraft ranges from $230 to $260 million; this model has a flight range of 11,000 kilometers and can cover many of Iran Air's long-haul flights. The construction of the Airbus 330 began in 1987, and it first took to the skies on November 2, 1992. The design and construction of this aircraft were done simultaneously with the Airbus 340. Iran's orders mostly include the neo model. However, due to the full production lines at Airbus, Iran Air is using canceled orders to meet its needs as quickly as possible. Of these four aircraft, one has now entered Iran, and two others are undergoing flight tests, while the fourth is being painted. Iran has placed a total order for 100 Airbus aircraft, of which 38 are the Airbus 330 in various series. Ten of these aircraft are from series 200, and 28 are from the neo series 900. If we consider the price alongside factors such as range, number of seats, and Iran's airlines' familiarity with Airbus, the best option for purchase in the wide-body aircraft class in Iran is the Airbus 330. The neo model is the latest Airbus 330 model, with production starting in 2015. This aircraft can carry 400 passengers and has a flight range of 12,000 kilometers. Most of Iran Air's orders include the neo model, which is the most advanced model. However, the main orders of Iran Air, such as the neo 330 model, will be produced a few months later due to Airbus's full capacity. Currently, long-haul routes of Iran Air, such as those to China, Malaysia, and Japan, have been canceled due to the grounding of Boeing 747 aircraft, but with the addition of the first Airbus 330 to Iran Air, these routes will be revived. The series 200 Airbus 330 is designed for medium to long-range flights. This model can carry 253 passengers in two classes for long-haul routes with a very quiet and comfortable cabin. This model has the capability of a screen for each seat and checking emails and mobile phones via satellite. One of the advantages of the 330 model for Iran Air is the minimal training required for the pilots of this company to operate this aircraft, as pilots flying the 300 or 310 models can fly the new 330 with minimal training. Currently, the main body of Iran Air's international fleet consists of the 300 model, which will gradually be replaced by the 330 for high passenger volume routes to Europe and Asia. The Airbus 330 uses three types of engines. The first engine is made by General Electric in the USA and is called the CF6. The next engine is made by another American company, Pratt & Whitney, known as the PW4000, and the third engine is made by Rolls Royce and is called the Trent 700. The model delivered to Iran uses the English Rolls Royce engine. Initially, the Trent 600 was used on the Airbus 330. From 1994, the Trent 772 replaced it. This engine is about 20% stronger than the General Electric model and about 10% weaker than the Pratt & Whitney engine. However, in terms of maintenance, obtaining parts and services from Rolls Royce may be better for Iran due to its English origin compared to American companies. Until a year ago, Iran Air had about 50 operational aircraft, but the state of wear and tear has reached a point where this year the company's fleet has only 26 operational aircraft, which has increased to 28 with the addition of one Airbus 321 and one Airbus 330. Next year, about 16 new aircraft, including models from the Airbus series 320 and 330 and ATR 72, are expected to be added to the company's fleet, bringing the total fleet to 44 aircraft, which will somewhat alleviate the current crisis. With the addition of these aircraft, the average age of Iran Air's fleet, currently about 20 years, will drop to below 15 years.