30-Seat Regional Pioneer Rugged Nordic & Short-Field Capability Over 450 Aircraft Delivered

Saab 340 Family

The Saab 340 is one of the most successful and durable twin-turboprop regional airliners in civil aviation history. Designed originally in collaboration with Fairchild (as the Saab-Fairchild 340) before transition to full Swedish production, the 340 seats 30 to 36 passengers in a quiet, pressurized 1+2 cabin. Powered by fuel-efficient General Electric CT7 turboprops, the Saab 340 became the backbone of regional feeder airlines worldwide, trusted by operators across North America, Europe, and Australia for its legendary mechanical reliability and tough landing gear.

Saab 340A

The initial production variant of the family, the Saab 340A entered revenue passenger service with Swiss regional carrier Crossair in June 1984. Equipped with two General Electric CT7-5A2 turboprops (1,735 shp each) driving four-blade Dowty Rotol composite propellers, the 340A seated 30 to 34 passengers and established a reputation for stellar short-field economics and low operating costs.

Specs
ICAO code	SF34
Engine type	2x General Electric CT7-5A2 (1,735 shp)
Length	64.7 ft / 19.73 m
Wingspan	70.3 ft / 21.44 m
Height	22.9 ft / 6.97 m
MTOW	28,000 lbs / 12,700 kg
Range	900 nm / 1,667 km
Max pax capacity	34
Cruise Speed	250 kts / 463 km/h

Saab 340B

Introduced in 1989, the Saab 340B answered airline demand for superior hot-and-high airfield performance and heavier payload capability. Upgraded with General Electric CT7-9B engines outputting 1,870 shp, a widened horizontal stabilizer, and a reinforced airframe, the 340B accommodated up to 36 passengers with higher cruise speeds and extended range, becoming the best-selling model in the series with 200 aircraft built.

Specs
ICAO code	SF34
Engine type	2x General Electric CT7-9B (1,870 shp)
Length	64.7 ft / 19.73 m
Wingspan	70.3 ft / 21.44 m
Height	22.9 ft / 6.97 m
MTOW	29,000 lbs / 13,155 kg
Range	935 nm / 1,732 km
Max pax capacity	36
Cruise Speed	282 kts / 522 km/h

Saab 340B Plus

Entering service in 1994, the Saab 340B Plus integrated high-tech cabin enhancements pioneered on the larger Saab 2000. It incorporated an Active Noise and Vibration Control (ANVC) system that drastically reduced cabin sound levels, enlarged overhead luggage bins, a relocated aft lavatory for a roomier entrance, extended wingtips for aerodynamic efficiency, and modernized flight deck instrumentation.

Specs
ICAO code	SF34
Engine type	2x General Electric CT7-9B (1,870 shp)
Length	64.7 ft / 19.73 m
Wingspan	70.3 ft / 21.44 m
Height	22.9 ft / 6.97 m
MTOW	29,300 lbs / 13,290 kg
Range	970 nm / 1,796 km
Max pax capacity	36
Cruise Speed	285 kts / 528 km/h

Saab 340 Family Technical Matrix

Specification	Saab 340A	Saab 340B	Saab 340B Plus
Typical Passenger Capacity	30–34	33–36	34–36 (ANVC Quiet Cabin)
Overall Length	19.73 m / 64 ft 9 in	19.73 m / 64 ft 9 in	19.73 m / 64 ft 9 in
Wingspan	21.44 m / 70 ft 4 in	21.44 m / 70 ft 4 in	21.44 m / 70 ft 4 in
Tail Height	6.97 m / 22 ft 10 in	6.97 m / 22 ft 10 in	6.97 m / 22 ft 10 in
Max Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	12,700 kg / 28,000 lbs	13,155 kg / 29,000 lbs	13,290 kg / 29,300 lbs
Max Range (Full Payload)	900 nm / 1,667 km	935 nm / 1,732 km	970 nm / 1,796 km
Engines (2x)	GE CT7-5A2 (1,735 shp)	GE CT7-9B (1,870 shp)	GE CT7-9B (1,870 shp)
Max Cruise Speed	250 kts / 463 km/h	282 kts / 522 km/h	285 kts / 528 km/h
Service Ceiling	25,000 ft / 7,620 m	25,000 ft / 7,620 m	25,000 ft / 7,620 m

Program History & Milestone Timeline

January 1980

Saab-Fairchild Joint Venture Announcement

Saab-Scania of Sweden and Fairchild Industries of the United States formed a 50/50 partnership to develop a 30-passenger pressurized regional turboprop for deregulated airline routes.

January 25, 1983

Maiden Flight of the Saab-Fairchild 340

Prototype aircraft SE-ISF took to the skies above Linköping, Sweden, demonstrating exceptional stability, pilot handling, and quiet engine operation.

June 14, 1984

Commercial Service Debut with Crossair

Swiss regional launch carrier Crossair conducted the first revenue passenger flight. In 1985, Saab acquired full rights to the program, renaming it solely the Saab 340.

1989

Saab 340B Introduction & Global Fleet Expansion

With higher-thrust GE CT7-9B engines and reinforced tail surfaces, major US network carriers like American Eagle, Northwest Airlink, and Delta Connection adopted the 340B en masse.

March 1994 & Legacy

Saab 340B Plus & Long-Term Operations

The 340B Plus introduced Active Noise and Vibration Control. Production concluded in 1999 with 459 aircraft built, maintaining a flawless airframe life extension program serving remote regional hubs to this day.

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