A310’s program launched in July 1978 and first flight occurred on 3rd April 1982. Service entry was with Lufthansa in April 1983. The A310-300 is a longer range development of the base A310-200, and has been in production since 1985. Based on the larger A300, the A310 introduced a number of major changes. The fuselage was shortened by 13 frames compared to the A300B, reducing seating to around 200 to 230 passengers and a new higher aspect ratio wing of smaller span and area was developed.
| Country of origin | European consortium |
| Performance | Max cruising speed 897km/h (484kt) |
| Long range cruising speed 850km/h (459kt) | |
| Weights | Operating empty 80,142kg (176,683lb) |
| Max take off 142,000kg (313,055lb) | |
| Dimensions | Wing span 43.89m (144ft 0in) |
| Length 46.66m (153ft 1in) | |
| Height 15.80m (51ft 10in) | |
| Wing area 219.0m2 (2357.3sq ft) | |
