A300/A310 9-abreast operators

ro1960 · Wed Feb 22, 2017 10:13 pm

I came across this video from 1988 of an HF A310-200 that has a 9-abreast layout. I was aware some current long haul LCCs have9-abreast layouts on their their Airbuses but not the ones from the 80s. Was it done by other A300/A310 operators of the time?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYrvEMWNTS0

The video also features paper tickets, dual jetbridge front door boarding (HAJ) and some "interesting" hairdos and outfits not to mention a creative storyline!

Wingtips56 · Wed Feb 22, 2017 10:16 pm

LB/Lloyd Aereo Boliviano had 9 abreast 310s. (3-3-3).

OA412 · Wed Feb 22, 2017 10:18 pm

Some of AZ's A300s were 9-abreast. I recall flying on one from ATH-FCO in 1990.

JayBCNLON · Wed Feb 22, 2017 10:36 pm

There was an operator in Kenya I think.KQ? Or African safari?

gilesdavies · Wed Feb 22, 2017 11:06 pm

Monarch Airlines use to operate the Airbus A300-600R, in a 9 abreast configuration with 352 seats(!)...

They had four in the fleet, which operated holiday charter flights throughout Europe and Egypt.

They also stood in for the A330-200's during scheduled maintenance or when they went tech and could operate far longer sectors to the likes of Goa in India and Florida from the UK.

With Monarch switching their business model to a low cost carrier, they phased out the A300's in 2014

http://www.monarch.co.uk/about-us/aircr ... -a300-605r

---------------------------------------------

Air Transat still fly the A310 in a 9 abreast configuration, regularly operating flights from Europe to Canada.

I flew the type from Manchester to Toronto, while a little cramped was still a comfortable flight.

http://staticcontent.transat.com/airtra ... 017-01.png

SpaceshipDC10 · Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:43 am

I believe Air Inter, Martinair, Air Liberté, had their respective A300 or A310, and both in 9-abreast. Later you can add Royal Aviation, Air Plus Comet, Canada 3000, Corsair.

Heavierthanair · Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:15 pm

G'day

Add Korean and South African to that list, both used to have 9 abreast in their A 300's. :mad:

Korean at one time even had a mix of 8 and 9 abreast on the same aircraft :crazy:

Cheers

Peter

Cunard · Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:30 pm

JayBCNLON wrote:
There was an operator in Kenya I think.KQ? Or African safari?

It was African Safari Airlines A310-200

Laker airways A300-200 were also 9 abreast, Also Orion Airways A300-200 both defunct British airlines from the 1980's.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:38 pm

OA412 wrote:
Some of AZ's A300s were 9-abreast. I recall flying on one from ATH-FCO in 1990.

Only the few (2 I think?) B-2s (EX Eastern I think?) birds acquired second-hand to operate on some domestic sectors had 3-3-3. The others (8 B-4 examples) bought new in the early '80s operated in a 254 seat configuration (35 C + 219 Y) with 2-4-2 in Y and 2-3-2 in C.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:40 pm

JayBCNLON wrote:
There was an operator in Kenya I think.KQ? Or African safari?

Yes, ASA, African Safari Airways. They had an A310 with 3-3-3 in Y, 2-4-2 in Y+ and 2-3-2 in C.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:54 pm

And..... Royal Jordanian!
I flew twice on a (leased, I would presume..) all Y A310 with 3-3-3. I know: non standard! :-)

I remember those flight as among the most comfortable. The cabin was spotless, seats were beautiful with nice blueish-turquoise floral patterns, and both legroom and service were great.

I also flew a Tunis Air A300 that had 3-3-3.

Air France A300s/A310s (eurofleet) also had 9 abreast seating.

Iran Air operates some of them in 3-3-3, and Garuda did too (along with 10-abreast DC-10s).

You also may want to add Onur Air in Turkey (as well as other Turkish charter outfits) and Dan-Air in the UK.

9-across on the Airbus is nearly not as bad as people want you to believe on A.net. ;-)

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:03 pm

SpaceshipDC10 wrote:
I believe Air Inter, Martinair, Air Liberté, had their respective A300 or A310, and both in 9-abreast. Later you can add Royal Aviation, Air Plus Comet, Canada 3000, Corsair.

Sorry to nit-pick but Canada 3000's 332s were 2-4-2.

longhauler · Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:08 pm

oldannyboy wrote:
SpaceshipDC10 wrote:
I believe Air Inter, Martinair, Air Liberté, had their respective A300 or A310, and both in 9-abreast. Later you can add Royal Aviation, Air Plus Comet, Canada 3000, Corsair.

Sorry to nit-pick but Canada 3000's 332s were 2-4-2.

Yes, as were their A340s. But, as this thread is about A310s and A300s, I am guessing it is referring to the A310s they acquired from Royal, which were 9 abreast.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:09 pm

longhauler wrote:
oldannyboy wrote:
SpaceshipDC10 wrote:
I believe Air Inter, Martinair, Air Liberté, had their respective A300 or A310, and both in 9-abreast. Later you can add Royal Aviation, Air Plus Comet, Canada 3000, Corsair.

Sorry to nit-pick but Canada 3000's 332s were 2-4-2.

Yes, as were their A340s. But, as this thread is about A310s and A300s, I am guessing it is referring to the A310s they acquired from Royal, which were 9 abreast.

Did they actually had 340s at one point??

longhauler · Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:27 pm

oldannyboy wrote:
Did they actually have 340s at one point??

Yes. While I can't find any pictures on here, if you do a google search, you will find pictures.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 2:33 pm

longhauler wrote:
oldannyboy wrote:
Did they actually have 340s at one point??

Yes. While I can't find any pictures on here, if you do a google search, you will find pictures.

Oh, wow! I didn't know that! Guess you learn something new every day! :-)

BTW...nice talking to you "live" Longhauler, from the other side of the Atlantic!
I love your excellent high-quality contributions. It's great to have members like you in our community of enthusiasts. Thanks for the wealth of information you invariably bring to the forum!
Warmly,

Danny boy

OA412 · Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:21 pm

oldannyboy wrote:
OA412 wrote:
Some of AZ's A300s were 9-abreast. I recall flying on one from ATH-FCO in 1990.

Only the few (2 I think?) B-2s (EX Eastern I think?) birds acquired second-hand to operate on some domestic sectors had 3-3-3. The others (8 B-4 examples) bought new in the early '80s operated in a 254 seat configuration (35 C + 219 Y) with 2-4-2 in Y and 2-3-2 in C.

Interesting. I can't recall which version flew the FCO-ATH sector, but ATH-FCO was definitely 3-3-3. I take it they sometimes used them on shorter Europe routes in addition to the domestic runs.

airbazar · Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:37 pm

ro1960 wrote:
I came across this video from 1988 of an HF A310-200 that has a 9-abreast layout.

Where in that video do you see 9 abreast? I see a 3-3-2 layout. That's 8 abreast.

CRJ 900 · Thu Feb 23, 2017 3:47 pm

THE charter company I worked for back in the 90s also flew the A310 in 3-3-3....AIR CLUB INTERNATIONAL.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:06 pm

OA412 wrote:
oldannyboy wrote:
OA412 wrote:
Some of AZ's A300s were 9-abreast. I recall flying on one from ATH-FCO in 1990.

Only the few (2 I think?) B-2s (EX Eastern I think?) birds acquired second-hand to operate on some domestic sectors had 3-3-3. The others (8 B-4 examples) bought new in the early '80s operated in a 254 seat configuration (35 C + 219 Y) with 2-4-2 in Y and 2-3-2 in C.

Interesting. I can't recall which version flew the FCO-ATH sector, but ATH-FCO was definitely 3-3-3. I take it they sometimes used them on shorter Europe routes in addition to the domestic runs.

Yes, indeed. They were occasionally flown to other European capitals, as well as on charter flights too.
At one point one late evening rotation to LHR was on the all Y A300.

oldannyboy · Thu Feb 23, 2017 4:07 pm

CRJ 900 wrote:
THE charter company I worked for back in the 90s also flew the A310 in 3-3-3....AIR CLUB INTERNATIONAL.

I remember their lovely 747s at LGW....

AirbusA6 · Thu Feb 23, 2017 8:40 pm

I remember flying in a 9Y Air Inter A300 B2(?). Only a short domestic flight, and next to two young children, so the narrowness of the seats wasn't an issue

SpaceshipDC10 · Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:49 am

oldannyboy wrote:
SpaceshipDC10 wrote:
I believe Air Inter, Martinair, Air Liberté, had their respective A300 or A310, and both in 9-abreast. Later you can add Royal Aviation, Air Plus Comet, Canada 3000, Corsair.

Sorry to nit-pick but Canada 3000's 332s were 2-4-2.

Looks a bit short for a 332...

oldannyboy wrote:
longhauler wrote:
oldannyboy wrote:

Sorry to nit-pick but Canada 3000's 332s were 2-4-2.

Yes, as were their A340s. But, as this thread is about A310s and A300s, I am guessing it is referring to the A310s they acquired from Royal, which were 9 abreast.

Did they actually had 340s at one point??

Only for a few months before they went belly up. Though I didn't knew it was in 9-accross in Y.

AAMDanny · Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:02 am

Blast from the past.... Air Scandic also had 3-3-3 on their A300's often seen throughout Europe on IT Charters!

oldannyboy · Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:13 am

SpaceshipDC10 wrote:
oldannyboy wrote:

Sorry to nit-pick but Canada 3000's 332s were 2-4-2.

Looks a bit short for a 332...

Indeed that is an A310.

Canada 3000 were an early operator of the 332 and pioneered some long routes with that aircraft.

oldannyboy · Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:16 am

AAMDanny wrote:
Blast from the past.... Air Scandic also had 3-3-3 on their A300's often seen throughout Europe on IT Charters!

Absolutely! and I even got to fly on one!

Kar-Air and Finnair were operators of A300s in 3-3-3 as well. Finnair later went to operate 10-abreast MD-11s.

Spiderguy252 · Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:13 pm

Add Biman Bangladesh to the list of 3-3-3 A310 operators.

ro1960 · Sat Feb 25, 2017 12:38 am

airbazar wrote:
ro1960 wrote:
I came across this video from 1988 of an HF A310-200 that has a 9-abreast layout.

Where in that video do you see 9 abreast? I see a 3-3-2 layout. That's 8 abreast.

I think you might be right. That's quiet an odd layout.

b4thefall · Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:07 pm

ro1960 wrote:
airbazar wrote:
ro1960 wrote:
I came across this video from 1988 of an HF A310-200 that has a 9-abreast layout.

Where in that video do you see 9 abreast? I see a 3-3-2 layout. That's 8 abreast.

I think you might be right. That's quiet an odd layout.

The pairs of seats you are seeing are in the rear of the cabin (where it narrows) where it is configured 2-3-2. The rest of the cabin is 3-3-3.

I've flown on a 3-3-3 A300 twice. TransAer A300B4 and a Monarch A300-600. Thankfully both were short flights from Ireland to the Med. As a tall person, I found the window seats quite cramped, as the seats were pushed right up against the wall, and the wall was curving in quite significantly, stealing much of my shoulder and head space.

BawliBooch · Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:04 am

gilesdavies wrote:

They also stood in for the A330-200's during scheduled maintenance or when they went tech and could operate far longer sectors to the likes of Goa in India and Florida from the UK.

With Monarch switching their business model to a low cost carrier, they phased out the A300's in 2014

Did Monarch ever operate A330 to Goa? Only remember seeing their 757's there. Quite regular visitors infact.

Spiderguy252 · Sun Feb 26, 2017 4:24 am

BawliBooch wrote:
Did Monarch ever operate A330 to Goa? Only remember seeing their 757's there. Quite regular visitors infact.

Apologies for the poor quality picture, but I've caught their 330s at GOI before:

edina · Sun Feb 26, 2017 10:34 am

The first 20 Air Inter A300s all had a standard 3-3-3 configuration for 314 pax, whilst the last 2 acquisitions, F-GIJT and F-GIJU (the DanAir examples IIRC) were also 3-3-3 as far as doors 3 then 2-4-2 and 2-3-2 in the rear cabin, taking capacity up by 1 to 315 pax.

Air Liberté A300-600s were fitted with 345 seats in 3-3-3 configuration.

FlySSC · Sun Feb 26, 2017 10:49 am

edina wrote:
The first 20 Air Inter A300s all had a standard 3-3-3 configuration for 314 pax, whilst the last 2 acquisitions, F-GIJT and F-GIJU (the DanAir examples IIRC) were also 3-3-3 as far as doors 3 then 2-4-2 and 2-3-2 in the rear cabin, taking capacity up by 1 to 315 pax.

Air Liberté A300-600s were fitted with 345 seats in 3-3-3 configuration.

F-GIJT was indeed an ex-Dan Air aircraft but F-GIJU was ex Hapag Lloyd (D-AMAX)

Most of Air Inter's were "second hand" aircraft, coming from various airlines : Air France, Iran air, Olympic, Dan Air, Hapag Lloyd etc...

Btblue · Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:21 pm

Monarch for sure. I got to enjoy LGW-MAN-CAI-MBA in December 2000. No mention it would be routing to Man to pick up pax or a technical stop in Cairo for fuel. If I recall the aircraft had over 340 passengers on and the journey seemed to go on and on and on and on!

trex8 · Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:09 pm

I clearly remember being on an AF A300 London-Paris in the mid 80s.Maybe this was exAirInter?

edina · Mon Feb 27, 2017 6:46 pm

trex8 wrote:
I clearly remember being on an AF A300 London-Paris in the mid 80s.Maybe this was exAirInter?

You would almost certainly have been on one of AFs own A300 fleet......F-GBEC and one other, (can't remember the reg) were the mainstays of the LHR-CDG schedule as they had larger "Le Club" fixed cabins in a 2-4-2 layout with economy 9 across....The standard shorthaul A300s only had "Le Club" in the fwd cabin.

Other A300s, 727s and A320s were sometimes seen on off peak services. Today's AF LHR schedule is a shadow of what it was in the mid/late 80s.....NCE/LYS/TLS/LIL/SXB all at least 1x if not 2x daily, daily NTE, MRS & BOD, and even a weekly weekend BIQ service in the summer.

ro1960 · Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:22 pm

edina wrote:
trex8 wrote:
I clearly remember being on an AF A300 London-Paris in the mid 80s.Maybe this was exAirInter?

You would almost certainly have been on one of AFs own A300 fleet......F-GBEC and one other, (can't remember the reg) were the mainstays of the LHR-CDG schedule as they had larger "Le Club" fixed cabins in a 2-4-2 layout with economy 9 across....The standard shorthaul A300s only had "Le Club" in the fwd cabin.

Other A300s, 727s and A320s were sometimes seen on off peak services. Today's AF LHR schedule is a shadow of what it was in the mid/late 80s.....NCE/LYS/TLS/LIL/SXB all at least 1x if not 2x daily, daily NTE, MRS & BOD, and even a weekly weekend BIQ service in the summer.

You are correct. AF received the A300 in 1974 I believe and you can see here that it operated the ORY/CDG-LHR (6 daily) and NCE-LHR (1 daily seasonal) route in 1975. I did fly the NCE-LHR route on a school trip then. First time on a wide body! 2-4-2 I confirm.

Btblue · Wed Mar 01, 2017 5:24 pm

Orion Airways that were based at East Midlands Airport also operated the A300-B4 at 9 abreast seating 324 pax. Found a video here 9.50 onwards details the delivery. They operated the type in 1987. I remember seeing them for the first time as a kid thinking they were 767s!

https://youtu.be/dDGkLKaAM44

bmacleod · Wed Mar 01, 2017 5:45 pm

I imagine 9 abreast on a A300/A310 would be quite uncomfortable - many passengers would feel "claustrophobic". :crowded:

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