The Airbus A300 is a twin-engine widebody airliner developed by the original Airbus consortium. Its A300B1 prototype first flew at Toulouse on 28 October 1972. The programme established the industrial partnership and twin-aisle fuselage layout from which subsequent Airbus aircraft developed.[1]A300 first-flight fiftieth anniversaryAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
European development
The first prototype was assembled from major sections manufactured by European partners. Work began in September 1969, and the aircraft rolled out on 28 September 1972. Airbus distributed responsibility for equipped assemblies across participating factories, with final assembly in Toulouse. This division of work became a lasting feature of its production system.[1]A300 first-flight fiftieth anniversaryAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Cabin and early versions
The first two aircraft were A300B1 development machines. Air France requested a longer version, and the A300B2 added 2.6 metres of fuselage. Airbus describes a standard two-class arrangement of 251 passengers for the B2 and B4. The B4 retained this seating capacity while adding range, extending the design beyond its initial short-haul requirement.[1]A300 first-flight fiftieth anniversaryAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
A300-600 generation
The A300-600 first flew in July 1983. Subsequent versions included the A300-600R, with increased take-off weight and a tailplane fuel tank for longer missions, and a convertible passenger-and-cargo model. These changes accompanied the development of an aircraft family whose configuration evolved substantially from the original prototypes.[2]FAST 45: A300 and extended service goalsAirbus · aircraft.airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Production and support
A300 production ended in July 2007. Airbus continued to develop the maintenance programme after production, including work intended to extend the useful service of the A300/A310 fleet. The original aircraft also introduced the consortium to an international airline market, helping establish the customer base for subsequent Airbus programmes.[2]FAST 45: A300 and extended service goalsAirbus · aircraft.airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[3]Roger Beteille and the development of AirbusAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details