Plus, lightweight materials like aluminum alloys keep the plane strong without adding unnecessary weight. Whether you’re in economy class or business class, the cabin feels roomy and modern. It quickly became a favorite for long-range routes, where reliability and efficiency are crucial. The Boeing 777 had its first flight on June 12, 1994, and it was an instant hit.
The 777 delivers exceptional performance, passenger comfort and low operating cost. Since the first 777 entered service, new family members have introduced a series of technology refinements that have kept the 777 family well ahead of environmental requirements. Operational commonality allows pilots to apply hours flown on Boeing twin-aisle jetliners to maintain their qualification on the other models, greatly increasing pilot availability.
- This was followed in May 2022 with an announcement for an order of seven Freighters destined for Lufthansa Cargo operations.
- The development phase of the 777 coincided with United Airlines replacement program for its aging DC-10s.
- The most powerful jet engine ever built, the GE90-115B owns the record for highest thrust achieved by a commercial jet engine.
The second 777X first flew on April 30, by which point the first had explored the flight envelope for nearly 100 hours. From Paine Field in Everett, and ended in Boeing Field in Seattle after 3 hours and 52 minutes. On November 13, the FAUB robotic system was abandoned after six years of implementation, to use human machinists more. The 777X was already a year behind schedule as service introduction was targeted for 2022, a further delay due to the certification as a derivative could risk key orders. Depending on the outcome of its root cause investigation, Boeing should have time to modify the failed part and repeat the test during the margin from the existing engine-related delays. GE Aviation in Ohio is recalling four GE9X turbofans from Boeing in Washington state in Antonov An-124 freighters from Volga-Dnepr Airlines, mounted in 26 x 14 x vegas casino app 13 ft (8 x 4 x 4 m), 36,000 lb (16.3 t) stands.
An analyst established the 777 program, assuming Boeing has fully recouped the plane’s development costs, may account for $400 million of the company’s pretax earnings in 2000, $50 million more than the 747. Total investment in the program was estimated at over $4 billion from Boeing, with an additional $2 billion from suppliers. The production process included substantial international content, an unprecedented level of global subcontracting for a Boeing jetliner, later exceeded by the 787. The first generation of Boeing 777 models, the -200, -200ER, and -300 have since been known collectively as the Boeing 777 Classics.
- The airplane’s performance, economics, range capability and payload capacity help operators maximize profits.
- And, GE90-115BL engines feature carbon composite, swept fan blades and are considered the world’s most powerful jet engines, producing 115,300 pounds (512 kN) of thrust.
- Over 2,300 Boeing 777 aircraft have been ordered, with over 70 operators worldwide.
- The -200 was primarily aimed at US domestic airlines, although several Asian carriers and British Airways have also operated the type.
- Boeing designed a hydraulically damped toilet seat cover hinge that closes slowly.
Digitally Designed
Selected for mechanical properties and for their light weight, the advanced alloys contribute to the remarkable dispatch reliability and maintenance economics of the 777. Advanced alloys saved 1,450 kilograms (3,200 pounds) of structural weight on the 777. Raked wingtips were added to improve overall aerodynamic efficiency, extending each wing by 2 meters (6.5 feet). On January 31, 2022, Qatar Airways became the launch customer for the 777X Freighter program, with an order of up to 50 Boeing Freighters, expanding its commitment to the Boeing 777X family. On November 7, 2019, Lufthansa stated it had converted 14 orders into options, leaving 6 firm commitments, after having negotiated a change as part of its order for s.
Boeing 777X
On October 11, 2024, Boeing confirmed that the expected first delivery of the aircraft had slipped to 2026, following development challenges and workplace strikes at the company. After the first delivery was pushed back from 2021 to 2022, the third aircraft made its maiden flight on August 3; it is slated for avionics systems, APU, flight loads and propulsion performance tests. By mid-November, a pair of flight compliant engines were installed on the first 777-9. The final body join of the first flight test aircraft was completed by November, before an early 2019 rollout and a second quarter first flight.
At the group’s first meeting in January 1990, a 23-page questionnaire was distributed to the airlines, asking what each wanted in the design. The eight airlines that contributed to the design process became known within Boeing as the “Working Together” group. Airline planners’ requirements for larger aircraft had become increasingly specific, adding to the heightened competition among aircraft manufacturers. In the early 1970s, the Boeing 747, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, and the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar became the first generation of wide-body passenger airliners to enter service. As of 2018update, Emirates was the largest operator with a fleet of 163 aircraft.
By February 2015, the backlog of undelivered 777s totaled 278 aircraft, equivalent to nearly three years at the then production rate of 8.3 aircraft per month, causing Boeing to ponder the 2018–2020 time frame. By April 2014, with cumulative sales surpassing those of the 747, the 777 became the best-selling wide-body airliner; at existing production rates, the aircraft was on track to become the most-delivered wide-body airliner by mid-2016. The aircraft in question was built for the airline Emirates, and rolled out of the production facility in March 2012. In 2010, Boeing announced plans to increase production from 5 aircraft per month to 7 aircraft per month by mid-2011, and 8.3 per month by early 2013. By the start of production in 1993, the program had amassed 118 firm orders, with options for 95 more from 10 airlines. By June 1997, orders for the 777 numbered 323 from 25 airlines, including launch customers that had ordered additional aircraft.
During the component development, two temporary engines were to be placed on the first flight-test aircraft. It filled a size and range gap in Boeing’s commercial airliner family, with the benefits of higher passenger capacity than that of the twin-engine 767 and lower operating costs, including better fuel efficiency, than those of the quad-engine wide-body 747. The Boeing 777 is a family of wide-body twin-engine commercial jet aircraft with variants for both passenger and cargo transportation. Two passengers, who had not been wearing their seatbelts, were ejected from the aircraft during the crash and were killed. The aircraft, operated by British Airways, sustained fire damage to the lower wing panels and engine housing; it was later repaired and returned to service. Nine aircraft fitted with General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce engines were flight tested at locations ranging from the desert airfield at Edwards Air Force Base in California to frigid conditions in Alaska, mainly Fairbanks International Airport.
Development and specifications
Smaller folding wingtips of 11 feet (3.35 m) in length will allow 777X models to use the same airport gates and taxiways as earlier 777s. The airframe incorporates the use of composite materials, accounting for nine percent of the original structural weight, while the third-generation models, the and 777-9, feature more composite parts. Boeing was also redesigning the inboard flap fairings to reduce drag by reducing pressure on the underside of the wing. More changes were targeted for late 2012, including possible extension of the wingspan, along with other major changes, including a composite wing, a new generation engine, and different fuselage lengths. Lasting 22 hours and 42 minutes, the flight surpassed the -200LR’s standard design range and was logged in the Guinness World Records.
Following flight testing, aerodynamic refinements have reduced fuel burn by an additional 1.4%. Its operating empty weight with Rolls-Royce engines in typical tri-class layout is 343,300 lb (155.72 t) compared to 307,300 lb (139.38 t) for a similarly configured -200. Its overwing fuselage section 44 was strengthened, with its skin thickness going from the -200’s 0.25 to 0.45 in (6.3 to 11.4 mm), and received a new evacuation door pair. It uses the -200ER 45,200 US gal (171,200 L) fuel capacity and 84,000–98,000 lbf (374–436 kN) engines with a 580,000 to 661,000 lb (263.3 to 299.6 t) MTOW. As of April 2021update, 247 aircraft had been ordered by 25 customers, with 45 orders remaining unfilled. The closest competing aircraft from Airbus are the discontinued A HGW and the current A ULR.
Family Flexibility
The development phase of the 777 coincided with United Airlines replacement program for its aging DC-10s. By 1988, Boeing realized that the only answer was a clean-sheet design, which became the twinjet 777. In 1986, Boeing unveiled proposals for an enlarged 767, tentatively named 767-X, to target the replacement market for first-generation wide-bodies such as the DC-10, and to complement existing 767 and 747 models in the company lineup. The trijet “777” was later dropped, following marketing studies that favored the 757 and 767 variants. The airliner initially competed with the Airbus A340 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11; since 2015, it has mainly competed with the Airbus A350. The 777 became the first Boeing airliner to use fly-by-wire controls and to apply a carbon composite structure in the tailplanes.
Aircraft on display
On February 14, 2019, it was reported that Etihad would take only 6 of the X airliners it had originally ordered. After a nearly $2 billion loss in 2016, Etihad had to cut routes and shrink its fleet and thus is considering canceling or deferring its orders, preferring to incur cancellations penalties rather than recurring losses from overcapacity. Emirates’ demand had been slowing and it was considering deferral of deliveries, having the smallest sovereign wealth fund backing of the Gulf carriers.
The Boeing 777 has proven itself as a leader in commercial aviation, but what does the future hold? Whether you’re traveling in economy or business, the 777 is designed to make the journey comfortable. From navigation to autopilot, everything is designed to make flying easier and safer.
Design Highlights
On November 10, 2005, the first -200LR set a record for the longest non-stop flight of a passenger airliner by flying 11,664 nautical miles (21,602 km; 13,423 mi) eastward from Hong Kong to London. On February 29, 2000, Boeing launched its next-generation twinjet program, initially called 777-X, and began issuing offers to airlines. The 4.5 ft (1.37 m) wider wing was to be strengthened and the fuel capacity enlarged, and it was to be powered by simple derivatives with similar fans. However, the -100X would have carried fewer passengers than the -200 while having similar operating costs, leading to a higher cost per seat.
With the launch of the 777X in 2013, Boeing confirmed that the aircraft would be receiving a new interior featuring 787 cabin elements and larger windows. This helps reduce weight and simplifies the aircraft’s braking and hydraulic systems. The six-wheel bogies are designed to spread the load of the aircraft over a wide area without requiring an additional centerline gear.
The flight deck is the same on all models, eliminating the need for simulator training when flight crews switch between models or fly multiple models. Airplanes and crews are at the scheduled airport at the scheduled time more often, supporting robust airline timetables and operations planning. The 777 leads the field with fewer schedule interruptions, air turnbacks, or diversions than other twin-aisle airplanes. In addition, the long maintenance intervals for the 777 mean lower maintenance costs and higher airplane availability. It offers unrivaled flexibility to optimize frequencies on existing routes, create new nonstop city pairs, and bring a new level of efficiency to a wide range of markets.
The combination of baseline and priced optional features will result in an approximate five percent overall fuel use per seat improvement. Optional priced features allow operators to accommodate more seats for more revenue and further improve fuel efficiency per seat. And, GE90-115BL engines feature carbon composite, swept fan blades and are considered the world’s most powerful jet engines, producing 115,300 pounds (512 kN) of thrust.
The is a further stretched variant with a capacity of over 400 passengers and a range of over 8,200 nmi (15,200 km; 9,400 mi), whereas the is slated to seat approximately 350 passengers and have a range of over 9,300 nmi (17,200 km; 10,700 mi). The maiden flight of the 777F, which used the structural design and engine specifications of the -200LR along with fuel tanks derived from the -300ER, occurred on July 14, 2008. By the late 1990s, design plans shifted to longer-range versions of existing models. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation, demand for new jets fell in 2020 and Boeing further reduced monthly 777 production from five to two aircraft.
To position wings and fuselage sections, automated guided vehicles are replacing overhead cranes and “monuments” – large, permanent tooling fixtures. First deliveries are planned for May 2020 while the first production wing spar was going to be loaded in early December. By late 2019, it should be joined in the flight program by the other four prototypes which were undergoing assembly.