Saab 340A
Saab · Sweden · first flew 1983 · airliner
The Saab 340 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner designed for short-haul commuter routes, accommodating up to 37 passengers. Developed jointly by Saab and Fairchild before Saab took full control, it became one of the most successful European regional aircraft of its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboprop, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.72 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-turboprop regional airliner with low tapered wing
- Large four-blade propellers on GE CT7 engines
- T-shaped tail profile — conventional with high horizontal stabiliser
The low wing with large-diameter propellers, oval fuselage cross-section, conventional tail with a notably high horizontal stabiliser, and the characteristic Saab nose profile distinguish it from the ATR 42 and Dash 8.
Specifications
- The Saab 340A has a length of 19.72 m (65 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.44 m (70 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally a joint Saab-Fairchild project, the Saab 340 first flew in January 1983 and entered service with Crossair in 1984. After Fairchild withdrew, Saab completed development alone. The 340A was the initial production variant powered by General Electric CT7 turboprops, and the type achieved wide sales success across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
Variants
The 340A was the initial version; the 340B introduced more powerful CT7-9B engines and improved hot-and-high performance; the 340B Plus had extended range and winglets; the Saab 2000 was a stretched 50-seat development.
Where you'll see it
Saab 340s have served with over 130 operators worldwide and remain in active service with regional carriers in Scandinavia, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, with some still in airline service well into the 2020s.
Related aircraft
- Saab 340
- Saab 2000
- Saab MFI-15 Safari
- Saab 37 Viggen
- Airbus A300-600
- Dash 8 Q100
- De Havilland Canada DHC-8
- EMB 120 Brasilia
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