Key Design Characteristics

1. Fuselage and Capacity:

• The A330-200 is approximately 4.7 meters (about 15.5 feet) shorter than the A330-300.
• Because it is shorter, it carries fewer passengers but has the same fuel capacity as its larger sibling. This trade-off gives the A330-200 a significantly longer flying range.
• Seating: In a typical two-class configuration (business and economy), it seats roughly 247 passengers. In a high-density, all-economy layout, it can accommodate up to 406 passengers, though this is rare for long-haul flights.

2. Range and Performance:

• The A330-200 is known for its excellent range capabilities. It can fly approximately 7,250 nautical miles (13,450 km) with a full passenger load.
• This range allows it to connect city pairs like Tokyo to Seattle, or Frankfurt to Cape Town non-stop.

3. Engines:

• It is powered by two high-bypass turbofan engines mounted under the wings.
• Airline customers could choose between three engine manufacturers: General Electric (CF6-80E1), Pratt & Whitney (PW4000), or Rolls-Royce (Trent 700). The Rolls-Royce Trent 700 is particularly common on this type.

4. Cockpit and Technology:

• Like nearly all modern Airbus aircraft, the A330-200 features "fly-by-wire" technology and a glass cockpit with sidestick controllers rather than a traditional yoke.
• It shares a very high degree of commonality with the four-engine A340 and the A320 family, making it easier and cheaper for airlines to train pilots to fly multiple Airbus types.

5. Cabin:

• As a wide-body aircraft, it features two aisles. The cabin is known for being quiet and relatively spacious, usually arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration in economy class, which is popular with passengers as there is only ever one person between you and an aisle.

Key Variants based on the A330-200

The reliable airframe of the A330-200 became the foundation for two other very significant aircraft:

• A330-200F (Freighter): A dedicated cargo version. It is easily identifiable by a distinctive "bulge" under the nose landing gear. This was added to raise the nose slightly so that pallets of cargo sit perfectly level inside the fuselage during loading.
• A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport): A highly successful military version used for aerial refueling and troop transport. It is used by many air forces globally, including the UK's Royal Air Force (known as the Voyager), the Royal Australian Air Force, and others.

Summary

The A330-200 is often regarded as the "sweet spot" of the A330 family. By sacrificing some seating capacity compared to the -300, it gained the range necessary to become a versatile workhorse for airlines opening up long-haul routes that didn't have enough demand to fill a larger Boeing 747 or A380.