The A310, which first entered service with Lufthansa and Swissair in 1983, is a shorter fuselage version of the A300 (which has been in service since 1974). Together, with more than 730 orders, the A300 and the A310 are the world's most popular widebody twin-engine transports. Currently there are two versions of the A310: the medium-range A310-200, and the long-range A310-300. Due to its extensive airline service, the A310 was certified for extended-range twin-engine operations (up to 180 minutes with either engine), making the aircraft available for long-haul flights such as transatlantic routes. Major A310 operators include Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Turk Hava Yollari, the French air force, the Canadian Government, the Royal Thai air force, and the German air force.

Airbus Industrie was formed in 1970 as a multinational effort between Germany, England and France to create a high-capicity twin-jet transport (this developed into the A300). Today Airbus Industrie has become the world's second largest manufacturer of civil airliners which seat over 100 passengers. In it's first 25 years Airbus has sold over 2,100 aircraft, with more than 1400 in service worldwide. The consortium is headquartered in southwest France near the city of Toulouse and owned by Europe's four leading aerospace companies (Aerospatiale of France, Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus of Germany, British Aerospace, and Casa of Spain).