I AM WHAT I AM

Silver Baguettes

Danke, Lufthansa’s A340-600. Auf Wiedersehen to the legendary flying pencils!

Baguettes are classic French breads that are very long and thin. Because Airbus A340-600s have such long bodies and elegant shapes, they look just like flying Baguettes. As they soar through the sky, their shiny metal bodies glimmer just like Silver Baguettes.

Four-engine jets have their own charm, and the Airbus A340-600 was a great example of that. Nicknamed the “flying pencil” because of its long, thin shape, the A346 was such a special model. With Lufthansa retiring this jet, looking back at some memories feels like a fitting way to say goodbye.

The pictures are all taken with my Sony ILCE-7M4 camera (Tamron 28–75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 lens and Sigma 100–400mm f/5.6–6.3 DG DN OS lens).

Chasing the Twilight

Now, enjoy the beautiful airframe in the twilight!

Lufthansa A340-600 climbing out against a pink evening sky Lufthansa A340-600 climbing out against a pink evening sky
Twilight Climb (D-AIHW; f/6.3, 1/160, 400 mm, ISO2000; BOS/KBOS; 22 Sept 2026)
Lufthansa A340-600 taxiing head-on along the taxiway, glowing in the orange sunset light, with a Delta regional jet behind it Lufthansa A340-600 taxiing head-on along the taxiway, glowing in the orange sunset light, with a Delta regional jet behind it
Taxi in the Twilight (D-AIHY; f/6.3, 1/800, 400 mm, ISO1000; BOS/KBOS; 2 Nov 2025)
Side profile of the long Lufthansa A340-600 on the runway against a peach-coloured evening sky above the water Side profile of the long Lufthansa A340-600 on the runway against a peach-coloured evening sky above the water
Pencil at Dusk (D-AIHY; f/6.3, 1/800, 264 mm, ISO1000; BOS/KBOS; 2 Nov 2025)
Lufthansa A340-600 climbing steeply into the pink twilight sky while a Delta regional jet waits on the ground Lufthansa A340-600 climbing steeply into the pink twilight sky while a Delta regional jet waits on the ground
Departure Into the Twilight (D-AIHY; f/6.3, 1/500, 400 mm, ISO2500; BOS/KBOS; 2 Nov 2025)

The Grace of Four Engines

Broad daylight reveals the A346’s true scale and classic shape. Here are a few standard shots I’ve captured over the years.

Lufthansa A340-600 in the classic livery on final approach with gear down, above a row of houses and trees Lufthansa A340-600 in the classic livery on final approach with gear down, above a row of houses and trees
Final Approach to Runway 22L (D-AIHX; f/6.3, 1/3200, 356 mm, ISO400; BOS/KBOS; 13 Sept 2025)
Underside view of a Lufthansa A340-600 in the new livery against a deep blue sky, showing all four engines and the landing gear Underside view of a Lufthansa A340-600 in the new livery against a deep blue sky, showing all four engines and the landing gear
Final Approach to Runway 4R (D-AIHI; f/6.3, 1/5000, 146 mm, ISO400; BOS/KBOS; 4 Oct 2025)
Lufthansa A340-600 touching down in daylight, with tyre smoke at the main gear and marsh grass in the foreground Lufthansa A340-600 touching down in daylight, with tyre smoke at the main gear and marsh grass in the foreground
Touchdown on Runway 22L (D-AIHY; f/6.3, 1/3200, 400 mm, ISO400; BOS/KBOS; 2 Nov 2025)

Above the Clouds

In June 2026, I was fortunate to fly on two of these aircraft (D-AIHW and D-AIHY). The cabin experience was just as memorable. Looking out the window reveals that massive, sweeping wing—a view that has become a cherished memory in today’s twin-engine dominated skies.

View from the cabin window of the A340-600 wing over a coastal town, a long sandy beach, and the ocean View from the cabin window of the A340-600 wing over a coastal town, a long sandy beach, and the ocean
Wing over the Coast (D-AIHW; f/10, 1/320, 28 mm, ISO100; 4 Jun 2026)
Silhouette of the A340-600 wing against a deep blue sky at dawn, with a thin orange horizon and city lights below Silhouette of the A340-600 wing against a deep blue sky at dawn, with a thin orange horizon and city lights below
Wing at Dawn (D-AIHW; f/2.8, 1/160, 33 mm, ISO5000; 5 Jun 2026)

The Special Lower Deck Lavatories

Even if you are not an aviation geek, you might remember this type for its lower-deck lavatories—economy class passengers had to head downstairs to use the facilities. Lufthansa chose to place five lavatories down in the lower deck to maximize high-density economy seating. Aside from a few charter A330s decades ago and vintage 1970s trijets with lower-deck galleys or lounges, this made the A340-600 practically the only modern scheduled airliner where passengers could walk downstairs mid-flight.

The curved staircase down to the lower-deck lavatories of the A340-600, with a red lavatory sign, a ‘No waiting on stairs’ notice The curved staircase down to the lower-deck lavatories of the A340-600, with a red lavatory sign, a ‘No waiting on stairs’ notice
Stairs to the Lower Deck (D-AIHW; f/1.68, 1/321, 24 mm, ISO145; 4 Jun 2026)
A lower-deck corridor lined with lavatories on both sides, lit by tall vertical light panels A lower-deck corridor lined with lavatories on both sides, lit by tall vertical light panels
Lower Deck Lavatories (D-AIHW; f/1.68, 1/267, 24 mm, ISO378; 4 Jun 2026)

The Cockpit View

Before saying goodbye, I had the chance to visit the flight deck. Stepping into the A346 cockpit was like stepping into a transitional era of aviation history, where modern glass displays met classic analogue charm, complete with the increasingly rare sight of four engine controls. It was an absolute honour to sit in the captain’s seat and take in the view one last time.

The author smiling in the captain’s seat of the A340-600 cockpit, next to the primary flight and navigation displays The author smiling in the captain’s seat of the A340-600 cockpit, next to the primary flight and navigation displays
In the Captain's Seat (D-AIHW; f/4.0, 1/160, 28 mm, ISO8000; FRA/EDDF; 5 Jun 2026)
The captain’s side of the A340-600 instrument panel, with the primary flight display, navigation display, and glareshield controls The captain’s side of the A340-600 instrument panel, with the primary flight display, navigation display, and glareshield controls
The Captain's Panel (D-AIHW; f/2.8, 1/160, 28 mm, ISO5000; FRA/EDDF; 5 Jun 2026)
The full A340-600 main instrument panel, with the central engine and system displays and the registration D-AIHW The full A340-600 main instrument panel, with the central engine and system displays and the registration D-AIHW
Main Instrument Panel (D-AIHW; f/2.8, 1/160, 28 mm, ISO3200; FRA/EDDF; 5 Jun 2026)
Close-up of the engine display showing four sets of engine gauges, a reminder of the four-engine era, next to the standby instruments and gear lever Close-up of the engine display showing four sets of engine gauges, a reminder of the four-engine era, next to the standby instruments and gear lever
Engine Display (D-AIHW; f/2.8, 1/160, 75 mm, ISO3200; FRA/EDDF; 5 Jun 2026)

Auf Wiedersehen

Danke, A340-600, for the golden memories. The skies simply don’t look the same without you. Auf Wiedersehen!

The A340-600 seen from behind as a small silhouette with four engines, flying away above pink streaks of cloud The A340-600 seen from behind as a small silhouette with four engines, flying away above pink streaks of cloud
Flying Away (D-AIHW; f/6.3, 1/160, 400 mm, ISO2000; BOS/KBOS; 22 Sept 2026)