Airbus A330-200

Technical Specifications

• Total seats: 253 typical configuration
• Range: 13,450 km / 8,357 mi
• Cruise speed: 871 km/h
• Wingspan: 60 m
• Length: 59 m
• Engines: 2× CF6, PW4000, or Trent 700

Cabin Features

• Economy seat pitch: 31–33 in (79–84 cm)
• In-flight Wi-Fi: Available on most configurations
• Power outlets: AC/USB available
• Lie-flat beds: Available in premium cabins

Seat Selection Overview

The Airbus A330-200 is a shorter, longer-range variant of the A330-300, with the same fuselage width and 2-4-2 economy layout. It's widely used on transatlantic routes and less busy transpacific routes. Air France, KLM, and Hawaiian Airlines operate large A330-200 fleets.

Best Seats on the A330-200

• Outer window seats A & K: Only 2 seats in each outer section — just one neighbor on an overnight flight.
• Outer aisle seats B & J: Freedom of movement with only one neighbor. Great for passengers who sleep against the window in the outer section.

Seats to Avoid on the A330-200

• Center 4-pack middle seats (E & F): Two neighbors, no window, on an 8–10 hour transatlantic flight. Avoid if possible.

Pro Tips

• Air France's A330-200 Business Class offers a flat-bed product with direct aisle access for all seats — excellent on the transatlantic.
• KLM's A330-200 has a World Business Class that converts to a flat bed and includes some of the better catering in European business class.

Range & Performance

The Airbus A330-200 has a range of about 13,450 km (7,250 nautical miles) — noticeably farther than the longer-fuselage A330-300 — because its shorter cabin carries fewer passengers and less structural weight for the same fuel load. That extra range makes it a favorite for thinner long-haul routes such as transpacific flying or secondary transatlantic city pairs that don't have enough demand to justify a larger widebody. United, Delta, and Hawaiian all use the type's range advantage to serve routes a 777 or 787 would be too large to fill profitably.

Airlines Flying the A330-200

United, Delta, and Hawaiian Airlines operate the largest US A330-200 fleets, using it on transpacific and transatlantic routes where its range-to-capacity ratio makes economic sense. Air France and KLM fly large A330-200 fleets across their European hub networks to Africa, the Middle East, and secondary transatlantic destinations. Other operators include China Southern, Saudia, and South African Airways. The type is especially common on routes connecting mid-size cities to major international hubs, where a full 777 or A350 would be oversized.

Common Routes

Airlines deploy the A330-200 on long, thin routes where its range matters more than raw capacity. Hawaiian Airlines uses it between Honolulu and the US mainland as well as trans-Pacific routes to Australia and New Zealand. United and Delta fly it on secondary transatlantic city pairs and select transpacific routes, while Air France and KLM operate it extensively to West Africa and the Middle East from their European hubs. If you're flying a less-common long-haul route rather than a flagship hub-to-hub pairing, there's a good chance it's on an A330-200.

History

The Airbus A330-200 is a shortened, longer-range derivative of the original A330-300, developed to directly compete with the Boeing 767-300ER and 777-200ER on long, thin routes. It made its first flight in August 1997 and entered commercial service with Canada 3000 in 1998. By trimming roughly 4.3 meters of fuselage length compared to the A330-300, Airbus reduced weight enough to extend range significantly while keeping the same wing, engines, and systems — a cost-effective way to serve a different market segment without designing a new aircraft from scratch. The A330-200 became especially popular with charter and leisure carriers as well as network airlines seeking a right-sized long-haul aircraft, and hundreds remain in active service today alongside its re-engined A330-900neo successor.

Frequently Asked Questions