Which proves the point about it being obsoleted over time, much as the 727, 707, L1011, DC10 etc.

At the time the A340/330 family was conceived this shared wing was thought to be an advantage. The A340 initially sold very well as it offered the range of the 744 but with 66-75% of the capacity - perfrect for the so called "long thin routes". It pretty well killed the 744 when it came out in the same way the A332 did to the 763 and Boeing's response (the 764) was restricted to just two known Boeing diehard airlines. And the 77W/LR has subsequently done the exact same to the A34X - its called competition @:-)

Just remember, no one forced any airline to buy the A340. They were purchased at the time as they were felt to be the best solution for the airlines route structure.