Randy's Journal: Archives
14 February 2005
Going the Distance
Today I'm delivering a Valentine to the newest member of the 777 family, the 777-200LR (Longer Range).
The first 777-200LR rolls into the paint hangar for a new look. The new airplane makes its debut on Tuesday, February 15, in Everett.
You'll be seeing a lot of her in the days ahead as we introduce the world to the longest-range commercial airplane ever built. She will go from here to just about anywhere.
The airplane waiting to be unveiled in our factory in Everett, WA is capable of connecting virtually any two cities in the world. And when we roll her out tomorrow afternoon it's going to be the start of a beautiful relationship.
Really, I should say many beautiful relationships -- non-stops between city pairs - that up until now were just the stuff of imagination. No more long waits in an airport you didn't want to visit in the first place.
The thing that's so special about the 777-200LR is that it gives airlines the additional flexibility to serve non-stop routes (in 777 comfort) that passengers are asking for.
Going the Distance: The 777-22LR.
Try these city pairs on for size:
- Singapore - New York
- Perth - London
- Los Angeles - Bombay
- New York - Auckland
- Chicago - Sydney
- Taipei - Miami
- New York - Karachi
That last city pair is a reflection of our first 777-200LR customer, Pakistan International Airlines. It's amazing the possibilities this new airplane opens up.
Just briefly, the 777-200LR can do it because of larger and more powerful engines, and up to three optional fuel tanks in the aft cargo compartment. With a full complement of 301 passengers, this airplane will have a range of 9,420 nautical miles (17,446 kilometers), the longest range of any commercial airliner. That's truly "Going the Distance."
Boeing 777-200LR photo The 777 longer-range airplanes offer overhead crew and attendant rest areas in the fuselage crown above the passenger cabin.
Needless to say, the 777-200-LR can fly farther and faster than the A340-500, and can carry more passengers and cargo, all the while consuming 20% less fuel per passenger. This is good for the airlines and good for the environment.
Find out more about the 777 family by clicking here.
And you can get a look at the dimensions of our 777 longer range airplanes here.
We think our customers are going to want airplanes with more range and with the ability to connect new city pairs with non-stop flights. The 777-200LR does that and allows airlines to carry more cargo on those long-haul routes, too.
Well, now it's time to get ready for the festivities. After the roll-out I want to talk about some world-record distance flights we have planned for this new airplane. It's going to be an exciting year around here, that's for sure.