It didn’t take long for iniBuilds to follow up on their official Airbus A340 announcement earlier this month. The team has just published the first A340 Airliner Development Update, and this one comes straight from Max, iniBuilds’ Art Director, who walks us through the visual side of the project. The focus is on 3D art, weathering, animations, and performance optimizations, with plenty of screenshots to illustrate how the aircraft is shaping up for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Capturing a 20-year-old A340
Rather than presenting the A340 in factory-fresh condition, iniBuilds is leaning into its real-world service history. Most A340-300s in the skies today are 20–24 years old, and the model reflects that reality. Expect grease streaks, faded placards, chipped paint, maintenance patches, and hydraulic stains. Even the engines, those four CFM56s that define the A340’s silhouette, get individualized treatment with unique texturing and openable cowlings.
This update also marks the first use of MSFS 2024’s new engine spinner shader in an iniBuilds aircraft. The result, according to Max, is far smoother transitions across different RPM ranges compared to the old texture-stacking method. There is, however, one oddity: the fans currently spin the wrong way. That’s not a mistake on iniBuilds’ part but rather a simulator limitation they hope Asobo will fix in a future update.
Built for MSFS 2024 performance
Big airliners can be heavy on system resources, but iniBuilds says performance is a design priority. There are no 4K or 8K textures in the A340 at all. Instead, liveries use a decal-based system that keeps VRAM usage under control while still looking sharp. Because the project is MSFS 2024-only, it also takes advantage of the new modular SimObjects system, improved LODs, and node optimizations. The team claims these changes should make the A340 as stable and efficient as possible across both PC and Xbox.
On top of that, iniBuilds is including a set of airline-specific visual options—SATCOM antennas, ice probes, brake fans, and more—so simmers can configure their aircraft to match the fleets they know best.
Wear, tear, and maintenance
Wear and tear isn’t just cosmetic. Yes, you’ll see speed tape, dents, and oil streaks, but the aircraft also incorporates a dynamic degradation system tied into the EFB. Tires will wear down over multiple landings, brake pins will degrade, and maintenance will be required to keep the A340 in top condition. It’s a continuation of ideas introduced with the iniBuilds A350, but applied to an older, more rugged aircraft.
Animations and effects
The development team has put extra effort into animations, from landing gear compression to wing flex across the A340’s long span. Visual effects also get attention: wing vapour trails, condensation, vortices, tip trails, heat blur, and cold start smoke are all part of the package.
Walkarounds will be more interactive too, with openable panels and hatches for everything from APU access to potable water, waste, fuel couplings, and cargo doors.
Two cockpit generations in one package
One of the more surprising reveals is that iniBuilds is building not one but two cockpits. The A340-300 will include both EIS1 (CRT displays, old-school layout) and EIS2 (modern LCD glass cockpit). EIS2 will be the main development focus, but EIS1 adds variety for those who want the classic feel. Even small customization options, like swapping standby instruments for an ISIS unit, will be included.
Cabins: from passengers to “preighters”
Inside, the A340 comes with a fully modelled cabin based on a German carrier’s configuration (take a guess!). Performance has again been considered carefully, with iniBuilds saying it should run well even on Xbox.
For those who like a twist, the “preighter” configuration makes an appearance—an improvised freighter version that saw real-world use during the pandemic. iniBuilds has even built in themed payloads ranging from car parts and parcels to live animals and biohazards.
Next update to focus on systems
The A340 Airliner is clearly still in heavy development, but this first art update shows the scale of iniBuilds’ ambition. The next development update, according to the team, will shift toward systems, with head of development Mike taking the lead.
iniBuilds seems keen to capture the A340 as it exists today—an aging, still-flying machine with character, quirks, and a heavy four-engine feel very different from the modern A350.
This could become one of the most distinctive long-haul airliners in the simulator upon its release. It’s certainly one that has been long-requested by the community. Let’s hope iniBuilds will deliver!
