In 1974, theAirbus A300 entered service with Air France. This was the jet that would propel the new company, Airbus, which had been formed from a series of mergers, into becoming the largest airplane manufacturer on earth. Almost a decade later, in 1983, a newer and modernized counterpart, the A310, entered service with Swissair. These played a large role in replacing trijets and opening up longer-haul routes with longer ranges and ETOPS ratings.