The Boeing Story Part VII

After the development of six different airliners, the Boeing Company was asked to produce a long range airliner, to replace older airliners like the DC-10 and L1011. Originally designed as a stretched 767, the new airliner would become known today as the Boeing 777. Designed in the 1980's, the 777 was the first airliner developed through computer aided design.

Classified as a long range, high capacity, wide-body airliner, the 777 allows for airlines to move a large amount of passengers from continent to continent. Initially offered as only one model, but designed with a possible stretch in mind, the 777 allowed for minimum design costs for varying size aircraft. The initial model, the 777-200 can accommodate a maximum of 305 passengers in a three-class configuration (First, Business and Coach classes). The original model, the 777-200, allowed airlines to fly a maximum of over 5,000 miles, enough to allow for transatlantic operations. Later offered was the 777-200ER, ER standing for Extended Range, allowed airlines to carry the same number of passengers over 7,500 miles. This allowed for airlines to operate most transpacific flights, nearly anywhere in the world.

The latest model is the 777-200LR, LR standing for Long Range. However, while sharing the -200 designation, the -200LR does not share the same wing as the rest of the series, sharing its wing with the 777-300ER. Again, this model allows for airlines to carry the 305 passengers, but over 9,000 miles, allowing for operations to everywhere in the world from anywhere.

The second model offered is the 777-300, a stretch of the 777-200. After lengthening the fuselage by 33 feet, the 777-300 allows for accommodation of 368 passengers in a three-class configuration, while up to 550 in an economy only seating configuration. The 777-300 has a maximum range of just short of 6,000 miles, allowing for transatlantic flights, as well as many flights between Europe and Asia. The second model of the -300 series is the 777-300ER. This model can hold the same number of passengers, while being able to travel nearly 8,000 miles, allowing for many high capacity flights to be flown around the world.

Many may ask why airlines would purchase the aircraft which have limited range. This is because of the price of the longer range aircraft. Base model's of the 777 cost slightly more than 200 million US dollars, but the long range models can cost upwards of 300 million dollars. Also in the 777 series is a newly designed freighter aircraft. This aircraft, known as the 777F, will allow cargo operators, such as FedEx and UPS as well as many others to fly cargo anywhere in the world at a moment's notice. One feature of all of the 777's is a newly designed interior, which is more spacious and contains more luggage space, while physically taking up less space in the cabin. Overall, the 777 is a joy to fly in, and will continue to serve the airlines of the world for many years to come.