Why Are The Engines On The Airbus A340 So Small?

The Airbus A340 is one of the most iconic widebody jets that was at its peak in the late 1990s. Many European, African, and Asian airlines operated (a few still operate) different variants of the A340. While the longest variant of the family, the A340-600, was once the world’s longest aircraft, its four engines somehow appear to be small compared to the size of the aircraft. Have you ever noticed that, particularly when comparing giant engines of modern widebodies, including the Airbus A350, Boeing 787, and 777?