SATURDAY NOV 02, 2024
×
Search AeroXplorer
Why Lufthansa's A340 Has Bathrooms in the Cargo Hold

Why Lufthansa's A340 Has Bathrooms in the Cargo Hold

BY HADI AHMAD Published on October 31, 2024 0 COMMENTS

You may know the Airbus A340 as a single-deck aircraft, meaning it has only one main deck where passenger cabins are located. This is unlike the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747, which have two distinct decks (or levels) where passengers can sit.

 

However, Lufthansa is an oddity in the case of the A340. While it does not have two decks of seats, it does have a set of lower-deck bathrooms across its A340-600 fleet. Why is this the case?

 

Lufthansa's A340-600

 

Lufthansa currently has ten active Airbus A340-600s. The carrier initially had 24 examples in its fleet, but 14 were removed from service due to the pandemic. Lufthansa plans to operate the current ten aircraft until 2028, when the A350-1000 will replace them.

 

The slight reactivation of Lufthansa’s A340-600 fleet was prompted by the strong resurgence in international travel demand in 2022 as the world reopened following the pandemic.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS


 

Photo : AeroXplorer I Edwin Sims

 

Today, four-engined aircraft like the A340s have been gradually disappearing from the skies worldwide.

 

Airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways, and Air France got rid of their A340 fleets immediately after the pandemic. Such aircraft are true gas guzzlers and far less efficient than the newer twin jets like the Boeing 777, 787, and Airbus A350.

 

Lufthansa’s A340-600 seats 281 passengers, eight in First Class, 56 in Business, 28 in Premium Economy, and 189 in Economy Class.

 

While mainly based in Munich (MUC) at one point, Lufthansa has primarily transitioned its A340-600 fleet to Frankfurt (FRA).

 

The aircraft operate long-haul flights all across the world with destinations including Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Denver (DEN), Seattle (SEA), Riyadh (RUH), Dammam (DMM), Delhi (DEL), and Hong Kong (HKG).

 

Lower Deck Bathrooms

 

The Lufthansa A340-600s have become notable for one specific quirk: their lower deck lavatories. A staircase leading to these lower deck bathrooms is in row 40, just before the R4 exit door. The stairs replace seats 38, 39, and 40E and G.

 

You must open a small gate before proceeding down the staircase. This is a precautionary measure to prevent anyone from accidentally tripping and falling down.

 



ADVERTISEMENT • REMOVE ALL ADS


 

Photo : AeroXplorer I Garrett Thompson

Once on the lower deck, you will find five lavatories. There is nothing special about them besides that you’re on the same level as the cargo hold.

 

While this is a super cool feature, there is something to remember.

 

These five lavatories are the only bathrooms on Lufthansa’s A340-600s serving the Premium Economy and Economy cabins. This begs the question of what would happen to passengers with limited mobility who need to access the bathrooms.

 

Overall, the lower deck lavatories on Lufthansa’s A340-600s are unique. This is the only single-deck aircraft in service with anything like them. If anyone is keen on experiencing this for themselves, they have until 2028.

 AeroXplorer is on Telegram! Subscribe to the AeroXplorer Telegram Channel to receive aviation news updates as soon as they are released. View Channel 
Hadi Ahmad
Lifelong aviation enthusiast raised in Central Illinois. 777 is the best plane BTW.

Comments (0)

Add Your Comment

SHARE



TAGS

INFORMATIONAL lufthansa a340-600lufthansa a340 bathroomslufthansa a340-600 lower deck bathroomslufthansaairbus a340a340-600 lower decka340-600 bathrooms

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

Groundstaffer Trapped in Cargo Hold of American Airlines B777 Forces Diversion to Buenos Aires An American Airlines flight took off as a grounds crew member was stuck inside the aircraft's cargo hold. See the police force that responded to the incident and whether the flight made it to New York. NEWS READ MORE »
American Airlines to Launch New Naples and Venice Routes as Part of Largest-Ever Italy Schedule Fort Worth-based American Airlines announced a big Italian-focused network expansion for summer 2025, including four brand-new or expanded routes. NEWS READ MORE »
The Dream Sho Jet: Japan Airlines' Special Shohei Ohtani Decorated A350-900 Japan Airlines designed one of their domestic planes in MLB player Shohei Ohtani's likeness. Read more about the special project associated with the plane and what travelers receive when they board it. NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE