Airbus A330-200

Twin Jet· 77 globally registered

The Airbus A330-200 was the first twin-engine widebody designed from the outset to fly ultra-long-haul routes over water, entering service in 1998 as a shortened, longer-range derivative of the A330-300. With a maximum range exceeding 7,200 nautical miles, it became the workhorse for point-to-point transoceanic operations, particularly across the Pacific and on thinner long-haul routes where the economics of a twin beat larger four-engine aircraft. Hawaiian Airlines famously deployed the type on Honolulu–New York runs, while carriers like Delta and Garuda Indonesia used it to open new city pairs that couldn't sustain 777 or 747 frequencies. The A330-200's combination of Rolls-Royce Trent 700 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines, advanced fly-by-wire controls, and commonality with the A340 family made it a flexible, efficient choice for airlines transitioning from older widebodies. Its ETOPS-330 certification allowed routing far from diversion airports, cutting hours off traditional great-circle paths. Though the A330neo and 787 have since captured new orders, the -200 remains in widespread service for its proven reliability and lower acquisition costs on the secondary market. Typical cruise is Mach 0.82 at FL370, with a service ceiling of 41,450 feet and seating for 250–290 passengers in dual-class layouts. SkyMeter has tracked 3,475 flights across 357 airframes and 17 operators, with QANTAS AIRWAYS LIMITED the largest observed operator.