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By Bjorn Fehrm

August 21, 2025, © Leeham News: We analyzed Airbus’s A330-300 and -900 over the last weeks, the mid-range Airbus that gradually developed into a credible long-range aircraft.

After examining the A330-300's development into the A330-900, we now analyze the A330-200 and its neo version, the A330-800. Why was a shorter A330-200 developed and put into service four years after the A330-300, when in almost all other cases the next version is a stretch?

And why did this smaller A330 sell really well against the larger A330-300 when its neo version doesn’t? We utilize our Aircraft Performance and Cost Model (APCM) to analyze the A330-200 and -800. Then we compare the A330-800's capabilities and efficiency with Boeing’s 787-8.

Figure 1. The A330-200, a model that sold almost half of all A330s until the A330neo was announced. Source: Airbus.

Summary:

• The Airbus A330-200 was one of the airline world’s few successful shrinks from a base version. Normally, base versions get complemented with higher capacity versions, and shrinks are duds.
• The A330-200 and now the A330-800 compete with Boeing’s 787-8. How do these compare?