In April 1996, GE Aviation obtained an exclusivity for the 375-passenger −600 stretch with engines, above the limit of the CFM International engines made in partnership with SNECMA and dropping the CFMXX. The −600 would be stretched by 20–22 frames to , unit thrust was raised from to and maximum takeoff weight would be increased to . The wing area would increase by to through a larger chord needing a three-frame centre fuselage insert and retaining the existing front and rear spars, and a span increased by , alongside a 25% increase in wing fuel capacity and four wheels replacing the centre twin-wheel bogie. A −500 with the larger wing and engines and three extra frames for 310 passengers would cover to replace the smaller range A340-200. At least $1 billion would be needed to develop the airframe, excluding the $2 billion required for engine development supported by the engine manufacturer. A 12 frame −400 simple stretch would cover with 340 passengers in a three-class configuration.
in april 1996 ge aviation obtained an exclusivity for the 375-passenger −600 stretch with engines above the limit of the cfm international engines made in partnership with snecma and dropping the cfmxx the −600 would be stretched by 20–22 frames to  unit thrust was raised from to and maximum takeoff weight would be increased to  the wing area would increase by to through a larger chord needing a three-frame centre fuselage insert and retaining the existing front and rear spars and a span increased by  alongside a 25% increase in wing fuel capacity and four wheels replacing the centre twin-wheel bogie a −500 with the larger wing and engines and three extra frames for 310 passengers would cover to replace the smaller range a340-200 at least $1 billion would be needed to develop the airframe excluding the $2 billion required for engine development supported by the engine manufacturer a 12 frame −400 simple stretch would cover with 340 passengers in a three-class configuration