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Airbus A310 vs. Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8)

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A310

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Q400 (Dash 8)

Price (USD)
$60 Million$32 Million
First Flight
19821998
Body Type
Wide-bodyNarrow-body
Length
46 m152 ft
32 m107 ft
Wingspan
43 m144 ft
28 m93 ft
Wing Area
219 m²2,357 ft²
64 m²688 ft²
Fuselage Width
5 m18 ft
2 m8 ft
Height
15 m51 ft
8 m27 ft
Max Takeoff Weight
157,000 kg346,126 lbs
30,500 kg67,241 lbs
Number of Engines
22
Engine Options
General Electric CF6 / Pratt & Whitney PW4000Pratt & Whitney PW150A
Max Thrust Per Engine
262 kN59,000 lbf
3,800 kW5,071 shp
Max Total Thrust
524 kN118,000 lbf
7,600 kW10,142 shp
Fuel Capacity
61,070 l16,133 gal
6,530 l1,725 gal
Range
8,050 km4,347 nm
2,040 km1,102 nm
Cruise Speed
850 km/h528 mph
644 km/h400 mph
Typical Seating
220 pax76 pax
Max Seating
230 pax90 pax

What Are the Differences Between the Airbus A310 and Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8)

Airbus A310 vs Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8) Size Comparison

  • At 46.60 meters, the Airbus A310 is 13.70 meters longer than the Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8).
  • With a wingspan of 43.90 meters, the Airbus A310 is 15.50 meters wider from wingtip to wingtip.
  • The Airbus A310 and Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8) have heights of 15.80 meters and 8.40 meters respectively - making the Airbus A310 7.40 meters taller.

Airbus A310 vs Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8) Range

  • Airbus A310’s range of 8,050 kilometers is greater than Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8)’s range of 2,040 kilometers. Therefore, the Airbus A310 can fly nonstop approximately 6,010 kilometers further.
  • The Airbus A310 can hold 16,133 gallons of fuel, which is 14,408 gallons more than the Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8)’s tank capacity of 1,725 gallons.

Airbus A310 vs Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8) Seating

  • In a typical seating configuration, the Airbus A310 can accommodate 220 passengers, which is about 144 passengers more than Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8)’s seating capacity.
  • The Airbus A310’s max seating capacity is 230 passengers, compared to 90 passengers of the Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8).

About the Airbus A310

The Airbus A310 is a wide-body, twin-engine jetliner developed by Airbus in the early 1980s as a smaller variant of the A300, its first airliner. The A310 was designed to meet the demands of airlines for a smaller, more efficient aircraft for medium to long-haul routes. This development marked Airbus's expansion in the wide-body aircraft market, offering a versatile option for various airline operations.

With a length of 153 feet (46.7 meters) and a wingspan of 144 feet (43.9 meters), the A310 is notably smaller than the A300, making it suitable for routes with lower passenger demand. The aircraft typically accommodates around 220 passengers in a standard three-class configuration, though it can be configured to carry more in a high-density layout. This flexibility in seating allows airlines to optimize the A310 for both high passenger volume short-haul flights and longer, less densely populated routes.

The A310's design incorporates significant advancements over the A300, including a shortened fuselage and redesigned wing, which contribute to its improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. It is equipped with either General Electric CF6-80 or Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines, providing a balance of power and efficiency. The A310 has a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 336,000 lbs and a range of up to 4,350 nautical miles, depending on the variant and configuration. Inside, the A310 offers a comfortable passenger experience with a spacious cabin and advanced features for its time, such as an optional two-crew glass cockpit. This innovative cockpit design reduced the flight crew requirement from three to two, a significant shift in commercial aviation operations.

The Airbus A310 was well-received in the commercial aviation market, with orders from several airlines worldwide. Notable operators included Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM, among others. These airlines utilized the A310 for its intended purpose, taking advantage of its capacity and range for diverse route networks. The A310's production and service history reflect its role in the evolution of Airbus's wide-body offerings. It bridged the gap between the larger A300 and the later A330 and A340 models, demonstrating Airbus's capability to adapt to market needs. The A310 was instrumental in establishing Airbus as a major competitor in the wide-body aircraft segment.

Though production of the A310 has ceased, its legacy continues in the aviation industry. The aircraft is remembered for its contributions to the development of wide-body jets, particularly in terms of efficiency, versatility, and technological advancements in aircraft design.

About the Bombardier Q400 (Dash 8)

The Bombardier Q400, belonging to the DHC Dash 8 series, is a turboprop aircraft engineered for regional aviation. With a length of 32.9 meters (107.9 feet) and a wingspan of 28.4 meters (93.2 feet), the Q400 is designed to operate efficiently in diverse regional airport environments. It strives in operations that require agility and short takeoff and landing capabilities. From the outside, the Q400 can be identified by its high-wing design, 6-bladed propellors, T-tail, and wing-mounted landing gears. The Q400 was the most popular variant of the Dash 8, with over 600 delivered as of September 2019. De Havilland ultimately paused Dash 8-Q400 production in 2021 due to the pandemic and lack of demand.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW150A engines, the aircraft is capable of producing a substantial power output, . This power enables the Q400 to achieve a range of approximately 2,040 kilometers (1,102 nautical miles), making it a suitable choice for various regional routes, from short hops to more extended connections. The selection of turboprop engines for the Q400 reflects a focus on fuel efficiency and operational cost-effectiveness, key considerations in the regional airline market. The cabin of the Q400, configured to seat about 76 passengers in a standard layout, can be adapted to accommodate up to 90 passengers in high-density seating arrangements. This flexibility allows airlines to optimize the aircraft for different route profiles. The cabin design incorporates elements aimed at improving passenger comfort, such as noise reduction, which is particularly beneficial during the shorter flights typical in regional travel.

In the regional aircraft market, the Bombardier Q400 offers an alternative to similar capacity regional jets, like the ATR 72. The aircraft's competitive edge lies in its combination of turboprop efficiency with a passenger capacity that approaches that of larger regional jets. This balance makes the Q400 a viable option for airlines operating a range of regional routes. Operators of the Q400, including Porter Airlines, Flybe, and Horizon Air, have found the aircraft suitable for their diverse regional networks. The Q400's operational profile allows these airlines to service routes efficiently, connecting smaller cities and towns with major hubs. The aircraft's role in these fleets underscores its suitability for the specific demands of regional air travel, where efficiency, versatility, and cost-effectiveness are paramount.

In summary, the Bombardier Q400's introduction into the regional aviation sector provided airlines with an aircraft that aligns well with the operational requirements of short to medium-haul routes. Its design, capacity, and range capabilities make it a noteworthy choice for airlines looking to enhance their regional operations.

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Values shown may not be 100% accurate, as some metrics are averages or only represent certain production years and configurations. Engine specs are based on the best options available.

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