Boeing 777

Boeing 777
Boeing 777-200 of United Airlines, the launch customer of the 777
Role	Wide-body jet airliner
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Boeing Commercial Airplanes
First flight	June 12, 1994
Introduction	June 7, 1995 with United Airlines
Status	Active
Primary users	Singapore Airlines Emirates Airline United Airlines Air France
Produced	1993 - present
Number built	736 as of August 2008^[1]
Unit cost	US$200-254 million (2007)^[2]

The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The world's largest twinjet and commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven", it can carry between 283 and 368 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a range from 5,235 to 9,380 nautical miles (9,695 to 17,370 km). The Boeing 777 has flown the longest unrefuelled distance for a commercial airliner. It is one of the aircraft used for some of the world's longest scheduled airline flights.

Distinguishing features of the 777 include the six wheels on each main landing gear,^[3] its circular fuselage cross section,^[4] the largest diameter turbofan engines of any aircraft, and the blade-like end to the tail cone.^[3]

As of October 2008, 56 customers have placed orders for 1,096 777s.^[1] Direct market competitors to the 777 are the Airbus A330-300, A340, and A350 XWB, which is currently under development.

Development

Background

In the 1970s, Boeing unveiled new models: the twin-engine 757 to replace the venerable 727, the twin-engine 767 to challenge the Airbus A300, and a trijet 777 concept to compete with the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.^[5] Based on a re-winged 767 design, the proposed 275-seat 777 was to be offered in two variants: a 2,700 nautical miles (5,000 km) transcontinental and an 4,320 nmi (8,000 km) intercontinental.

The twinjets were a big success, due in part to the 1980s ETOPS regulations. However the trijet 777 was cancelled (much like the trijet concept of the Boeing 757) in part because of the complexities of a trijet design and the absence of a 40,000 lbf (178 kN) engine. The cancellation left Boeing with a huge size and range gap in its product line between the 767-300ER and the 747-400. The DC-10 and L-1011, which entered service in early 1970s, were also due for replacement. In the meantime, Airbus developed the A340 to fulfill that requirement and to compete with Boeing.

Design phase

In the mid-1980s, Boeing produced proposals for an enlarged 767, dubbed 767X. There were also a number of in-house designations for proposals, of which the 763-246 was one internal designation that was mentioned in public.^[6] The 767X had a longer fuselage and larger wings than the existing 767, and seated about 340 passengers with a maximum range of 7,300 nautical miles (13,500 kilometers). The airlines were unimpressed with the 767X: they wanted short to intercontinental range capability, a bigger cabin cross section, a fully flexible cabin configuration and an operating cost lower than any 767 stretch. By 1988 Boeing realized that the only answer was a new design, the 777 twinjet.^[7]

Glass cockpit of a United Airlines 777

Designing of the 777 was different from previous Boeing jetliners. For the first time, eight major airlines (Cathay Pacific, American, Delta, ANA, BA, JAL, Qantas, and United) had a role in the development of the plane as part of a "Working Together" collaborative model employed for the 777 project.^[8]

At the first "Working Together" meeting in January 1990, a 23-page questionnaire was distributed to the airlines, asking each what it wanted in the new design. By March 1990 a basic design for the 767X had been decided upon; a cabin cross-section close to the 747's, 325 passengers, fly-by-wire controls, glass cockpit, flexible interior, and 10% better seat-mile costs than the A330 and MD-11. ETOPS was also a priority for United Airlines.^[9]

All software, whether produced internally to Boeing or externally, was to be written in Ada. The bulk of the work was undertaken by Honeywell who developed an Airplane Information Management System (AIMS). This handles the flight and navigation displays, systems monitoring and data acquisition (e.g. flight data acquisition).

United Airlines' replacement program for its aging DC-10s became a focus for Boeing's designs. The new aircraft needed to be capable of flying three different routes; Chicago to Hawaii, Chicago to Europe and non-stop from Denver, a hot and high airport, to Hawaii.^[10]

In October 1990, United became the launch customer when it placed an order for 34 Pratt & Whitney-powered 777s with options on a further 34.^[11] Production of the first aircraft began in January 1993 at Boeing's Everett plant near Seattle.^[12] In the same month, the 767X was officially renamed the 777, and a team of United 777 developers joined other airline teams and the Boeing team at the Boeing Everett Factory.^[13] Divided into 240 design teams of up to 40 members, working on individual components of the aircraft, almost 1,500 design issues were addressed.^[14]

The 777 was the first commercial aircraft to be designed entirely on computer. Everything was created on a 3D CAD software system known as CATIA, sourced from Dassault Systemes. This allowed a virtual 777 to be assembled, in simulation, to check for interferences and to verify proper fit of the many thousands of parts before costly physical prototypes were manufactured.^[15] Boeing was initially not convinced of the abilities of the program, and built a mock-up of the nose section to test the results. It was so successful that all further mock-ups were cancelled.^[16]

Into production

The first Boeing 777 in commercial service, United Airlines' N777UA

The 777 included substantial international content, to be exceeded only by the 787. International contributors included Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (fuselage panels), Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. (center wing section),^[17] Hawker De Havilland (elevators), ASTA (rudder)^[18] and Ilyushin (jointly designed overhead baggage compartment).^[19]

Planform view of a British Airways Boeing 777-200 on takeoff.

On April 9, 1994 the first 777, WA001, was rolled out in a series of fifteen ceremonies held during the day to accommodate the 100,000 invited guests.^[20] First flight took place on June 14, 1994, piloted by 777 Chief Test Pilot John E. Cashman, marking the start of an eleven month flight test program more extensive than that seen on any previous Boeing model.^[21] The first 777-200 built was used by Boeing's non-destructive testing (NDT) campaign in 1994–1995, and provided valuable data for the -200ER and -300 programs. This A market (see below) aircraft was sold to Cathay Pacific Airways and delivered in December 2000.

On May 15, 1995 Boeing delivered the first 777, registered N777UA, to United Airlines. The FAA awarded 180 minute ETOPS clearance ("ETOPS-180") for PW4074 engined 777-200s on May 30, 1995, making the 777 the first aircraft to carry an ETOPS-180 rating at its entry into service.^[22] The 777's first commercial flight took place on June 7, 1995 from London's Heathrow Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport.

Singapore Airlines is the largest operator of the Boeing 777 family with 76 in service as of 2008.^[23]^[24] Emirates Airline is second with 60 777s as of 2008.^[25]^[24]

Design

Boeing employed advanced technologies in the 777. These features included:

The largest and most powerful turbofan engines on a commercial airliner with a 128 inch (3.25 m) fan diameter on the GE90-115B1.

Main undercarriage of an American Airlines 777-200ER on landing approach

Honeywell LCD glass cockpit flight displays
Fully digital fly-by-wire flight controls with emergency manual reversion
Fully software-configurable avionics
Electronic flight bag
Lighter design including use of composites (12% by weight)^[26]
Raked wingtips
Fiber optic avionics network
The largest landing gear and the largest tires ever used in a commercial jetliner. Each main gear tire of a 777-300ER carries a maximum rated load of 64,583 lb (29,294 kg) when the aircraft is fully loaded, the heaviest load per tire of any production aircraft ever built.

Section 41 on a Boeing 777, the only major part shared with the 767

The 777 has the same Section 41 as the 767. This refers to the part of the aircraft from the tip of the nose, going to just behind the cockpit windows. From a head-on view, the end of the section is very evident. This is where the bulk of the aircraft's avionics are stored.

Boeing made use of work done on the cancelled Boeing 7J7, which had validated many of the chosen technologies. A notable design feature is Boeing's decision to retain conventional control yokes rather than fit sidestick controllers as used in many fly-by-wire fighter aircraft and in some Airbus transports. Boeing viewed the traditional yoke and rudder controls as being more intuitive for pilots.

Folding wingtips were offered when the 777 was launched, this feature was meant to appeal to airlines who might use the aircraft in gates made to accommodate smaller aircraft, but no airline has purchased this option.^[27]^[28]

Due to rising fuel costs, airlines began looking at the Boeing 777 as a fuel-efficient alternative compared to other widebody jets.^[29] With modern engines, having extremely low failure rates (as seen in the ETOPS certification of most twinjets) and increased power output, four engines are no longer necessary except for very large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 or Boeing 747.

The 777 may eventually be replaced by a new product family, the Boeing Y3, which would draw upon technologies from the 787.

Interiors

Economy class interior of EVA Air 777-300ER in 3-3-3 layout

The interior of the Boeing 777, also known as the Boeing Signature Interior, has since been used on other aircraft, including the 767-400ER, 747-400ER, and newer 767-200s and 767-300s. The interior on the Next Generation 737 and the Boeing 757-300 also borrows elements from the 777 interior, introducing larger, more rounded overhead bins than the 737 Classics and 757-200, and curved ceiling panels. The 777 also features larger, more rounded, windows than most other aircraft. The 777-style windows were later adopted on the 767-400ER and Boeing 747-8. The Boeing 787 and Boeing 747-8 will feature a new interior evolved from the 777-style interior and, in the case of the 787, will have even larger windows.

Some 777s also have crew rest areas in the crown area above the cabin. Separate crew rests can be included for the flight and cabin crew, with a two-person crew rest above the forward cabin between the first and second doors,^[30] and a larger overhead crew rest further aft with multiple bunks.

The 777 has also been fitted with VIP interiors for non-airline use.^[31]

Variants

Boeing 777 models await final delivery

Boeing uses two characteristics to define their 777 models. The first is the fuselage size, which affects the number of passengers and amount of cargo that can be carried. The 777-200 and derivatives are the base size. A few years later, the aircraft was stretched into the 777-300.

The second characteristic is range. Boeing defined these three segments:

A market: 3,900 to 5,200 nautical miles (7,223 to 9,630 km)^[32]
B market: 5,800 to 7,700 nautical miles (10,742 to 14,260 km)^[32]
C market: 8,000 nautical miles (14,816 km) and greater^[32]

These markets are also used to compare the 777 to its competitor, the Airbus A340.

When referring to variants of the 777, Boeing and the airlines often collapse the model (777) and the capacity designator (200 or 300) into a smaller form, either 772 or 773. Subsequent to that they may or may not append the range identifier. So the base 777-200 may be referred to as a "772" or "772A", while a 777-300ER would be referred to as a "773ER", "773B" or "77W". Any of these notations may be found in aircraft manuals or airline timetables.^[33]

Initial models

777-200

Delta's 777-200 in livery commemorating the 2002 Winter Olympics

The 777-200 (772A) was the initial A-market model. It is available with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) from 505,000 to 545,000 pounds (229 to 247 tonnes) and range capability between 3,780 and 5,235 nautical miles (7,000 to 9,695 km). The -200 is currently powered by two 77,000 lbf (343 kN) Pratt & Whitney PW4077 turbofans, 77,000 lbf (343 kN) General Electric GE90-77Bs, or 76,000 lbf (338 kN) Rolls Royce Trent 877s.^[34]

The first customer delivery was to United Airlines in May 1995.

The directly competing aircraft from Airbus is the Airbus A330-300. A total of 88 -200s have been delivered to ten different customers,^[1] and 86 -200s were in airline service as of August 2008.^[35]

777-200ER

Air France 777-200ER touches down at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport

Originally known as the 777-200IGW (for "increased gross weight"), the longer-range B market 777-200ER (772B) features additional fuel capacity, with increased MTOW range from 580,000 to 631,000 pounds (263 to 286 tonnes) and range capability between 6,000 and 7,700 nautical miles (11,000 to 14,260 km). ER stands for Extended Range. The first 777-200ER was delivered to British Airways in February 1997,^[36] who also were the first carrier to launch, in 2001, a 10 abreast economy configuration in this airframe, which had originally been designed for a maximum 9 abreast configuration.

The first 777-200ER delivered to a customer was powered by the 84,000 lbf (378 kN) General Electric GE90-85B. Engines offered for the 777-200ER include the 94,000 lbf (418 kN) General Electric GE90-94B, the 90,000 lbf (400 kN) PW4090, and the Trent 895. The Rolls Royce Trent 800 series is the leading engine for the 777 with a market share of 43%. The engine is used on the majority of 777-200s, ERs and 300s but is not offered for the 200LR and 300ER.^[37]

On March 1997, China Southern Airlines made history by flying the 1st Boeing 777 scheduled transpacific route, which was the flagship Guangzhou-Los Angeles route. On April 2, 1997, a Boeing 777-200ER, tail registration 9M-MRA (dubbed the "Super Ranger") of Malaysia Airlines, broke the Great Circle Distance Without Landing record for an airliner by flying east (the long way) from Boeing Field, Seattle, to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a distance of 20,044 km (10,823 nmi), in 21 hours, 23 minutes, more than a scheduled range of the 777-200LR. The flight was non-revenue with no passengers on board. The -200ER is also recognized for another feat; the longest ETOPS-related emergency flight diversion (177 minutes under one engine power) was conducted on a United Airlines' Boeing 777-200ER carrying 255 passengers on March 17, 2003 over the southern Pacific Ocean.^[38]

The directly competing aircraft to the 777-200ER from Airbus are the Airbus A340-300 and the proposed A350-900. As of October 2008, 407 777-200ERs had been delivered with 27 unfilled orders.^[1] As of August 2008, 397 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft were in airline service.^[35]

777-300

An Emirates 777-300 landing at London Heathrow Airport

The stretched A market 777-300 (773A) was designed as a replacement for 747-100s and -200s. Compared to the older 747s, the stretched 777 has comparable passenger capacity and range, and also burns one third less fuel and has 40% lower maintenance costs.

It features a 33 ft 3 in (10.1 m) fuselage stretch over the baseline 777-200, allowing seating for up to 550 passengers in a single class high density configuration and is also 29,000 pounds (13 tonnes) heavier. The 777-300 has tailskid and ground maneuvering cameras mounted on the horizontal tail and underneath the forward fuselage to aid pilots during taxi due to the aircraft's length.

The typical operating range with 368 three-class passengers is 6,015 nautical miles (11,135 km). It is typically powered by two of the following engines: 90,000 lbf (400 kN) PW4090 turbofans, 92,000 lbf (409 kN) Trent 892 or GE90-92Bs, or 98,000 lbf (436 kN) PW-4098s.

It was awarded type certification simultaneously from the U.S. FAA and European JAA and was granted 180 min ETOPS approval on May 4, 1998 and entered service with Cathay Pacific later in that month.

Since the introduction of the -300ER in 2004, all operators have selected the ER version of the -300 model, in some cases replacing 747-400 aircraft. The 777-300ER, with 365 seats, is capacious enough to displace 747-400 configured with 416 seats, and burns 20% less fuel per trip than the latter. Operators try to maintain operating margins by retaining first-class and business-class seats and reducing economy seating on flights that previously were served by the 747; Japan Airlines introduced semi-partitioned "suites" that offer each passenger 20% more space than current first class seating.^[39] Air New Zealand will replace all of its 747-400s with the 777-300ER.^[29]

This aircraft has Airbus aircraft that directly compete in the market but the A340-600 is offered in competition. A total of 60 -300s have been delivered to eight different customers,^[1] and all were in airline service as of August 2008.^[35]

Longer range models

777-200LR

A GE90 engine mounted on a 777-200LR.

The 777-200LR was initially proposed as a 777-100X.^[40] It would have been a shortened version of the 777-200, analogous to the Boeing 747SP. The shorter fuselage would allow more of the take-off weight to be dedicated to fuel tankage, increasing the range. Because the aircraft would have carried fewer passengers than the 777-200 while having similar operating costs, it would have had a higher cost per seat. With the advent of more powerful engines the 777-100X proposal was replaced by the 777X program, which evolved into the Longer Range 777-200LR.

The 777-200LR (772C) ("LR" for "Longer Range") became the world's longest range commercial airliner when it entered service in 2006. Boeing named this plane the Worldliner, highlighting its ability to connect almost any two airports in the world,^[41] although it is still subject to ETOPS restrictions. It is capable of flying 9,450 nautical miles (17,501.40 km, equivalent to 7/16 of the earth's circumference) in 18 hours. Developed alongside the 777-300ER, the 777-200LR achieves this with either 110,000 lbf (489 kN) thrust General Electric GE90-110B1 turbofans, or as an option, GE90-115B turbofans used on the -300ER.

Rolls Royce originally offered the Trent 8104 engine with a thrust of 104,000 to 114,000 lbf (463 to 507 kN) that has been tested up to 117,000 lbf (520 kN). However, Boeing and Rolls Royce could not agree on risk sharing on the project so the engine was eventually not offered to customers. Instead GE agreed on risk-sharing for the development of long range derivatives of the Boeing 777. The agreement stipulated that only GE engines would be offered on the 777-200LR and 777-300ER.^[42]

The first 777-200LR Worldliner at the 2005 Paris Air Show - destined for Pakistan International Airlines

The -200LR features a significantly increased MTOW and three optional auxiliary fuel tanks manufactured by Marshall Aerospace in the rear cargo hold.^[43] Other new features include raked wingtips, a new main landing gear and additional structural strengthening. The roll-out was on February 15, 2005 and the first flight was at March 8, 2005. The second prototype made its first flight on May 24, 2005. The -200LR's entry into service was in January 2006. The only mass-produced aircraft with greater unrefueled range is the KC-10 Extender military tanker.

On November 10, 2005, a 777-200LR set a record for the longest non-stop flight by passenger airliner by flying 11,664 nautical miles (13,422 statute miles, or 21,602 km) eastwards (the westerly great circle route is only 5,209 nautical miles) from Hong Kong, China, to London, UK,^[44] taking 22 hours and 42 minutes. This was logged into the Guinness World Records and surpassed the 777-200LR's design range of 9,450 nmi with 301 passengers and baggage.^[45]

On February 2, 2006, Boeing announced that the 777-200LR had been certified by both FAA and EASA to enter into passenger service with airlines.^[46] The first Boeing 777-200LR was delivered to Pakistan International Airlines on February 26, 2006 and the second on March 23, 2006. PIA has at least nine 777s in service and the company plans to replace all of its older jets with the series.

In November 2005, Air Canada confirmed an order for the jets. Also that month Emirates Airline announced they bought ten -200LRs as part of a larger 777 order (42 in all). On September 12, 2006, Qatar Airways announced firm orders for the Boeing 777-200LR along with Boeing 777-300ER.^[47] On October 10, 2006, Delta Air Lines announced two firm orders of the aircraft to add to its long-haul routes and soon after announced three more orders.^[48] Other customers include Air India^[49] and Turkmenistan Airlines.^[1]

The closest Airbus competing aircraft in the market is the A340-500HGW. The proposed future A350-900R model, aims to have a range up to 9,500 nautical miles or 17,600 km. As of October 2008, 21 777-200LR aircraft had been delivered with 28 unfilled orders.^[1] A total of 19 -200LRs were in airline service as of August 2008.^[35]

777-300ER

A 777-300ER of Singapore Airlines, the world's largest operator of the 777

The 777-300ER is the Extended Range (ER) version of the 777-300 and contains many modifications, including the GE90-115B engines, which are the world's most powerful jet engine with 115,300 lbf (513 kN) thrust. Other features include raked wingtips, a new main landing gear, extra fuel tanks (2,600 gallons), as well as strengthened fuselage, wings, empennage, nose gear, engine struts and nacelles, and a higher MTOW, 775,000 lb versus 660,000 lb for the 777-300. The maximum range is 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).

The main reason for the 777-300ER's extra 1,935 nmi (3,550 km) range over the 777-300 is not merely the capacity for an extra 2,600 gallons of fuel (45,220 to 47,890 gal), but the increase in the maximum take-off weight (MTOW). The -300ER is slightly less fuel efficient than the regular -300 because it weighs slightly more and has engines that produce more thrust. Both the -300 and -300ER weigh approximately 360,000 lb empty and have the same passenger and payload capacity, but the ER has a higher MTOW and therefore can carry about 110,000 lb more fuel than the -300. This enables the -300ER to fly roughly 34% farther with the same passengers and cargo. Without the increase in fuel capacity due to larger fuel tanks, the -300ER's range would still be 25% greater at equal payload. In a maximum payload situation, the -300 would only be able to fill its fuel tanks about 60%, while the -300ER could be filled to full capacity.

An Air Canada 777-300ER with thrust reversers and spoilers deployed after landing

The 777-300ER has been test flown with only one working engine for as long as six hours and 29 minutes (389 minutes) over the Pacific Ocean as part of its Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS) trials. 180 minutes of successful and reliable operation on one workable engine are required for the ETOPS 180-minute certification.

The 777-300ER program was launched by Air France, though for political reasons, the airline was not advertised as the launch customer.^[32] The first flight of the 777-300ER was February 24, 2003. Delivery of the first 777-300ER to Air France occurred on April 29, 2004.^[36] Japan Airlines was the second carrier to introduce the aircraft.^[32]

Since the introduction of the -300ER, six years after the -300's first delivery, all orders for the -300 series have been the ER variant. The 777-300ER's direct competing aircraft by Airbus are the A340-600HGW and the proposed A350-1000; however, as noted above, this model is also displacing the 747-400 as fuel prices rise, airline passenger traffic drops and airlines look for every opportunity to save fuel and fill airplanes with higher-margin customers.

As of August 2008, 156 777-300ERs had been delivered with 223 unfilled orders.^[1] Additional firm commitments are believed to have been signed, as some airlines intend to use the 777 as a stopgap while they await the arrival of the delayed Boeing 787.^[29]

777 Freighter

The first 777 Freighter, destined for Air France, on a test flight.

The 777 Freighter (777F) is an all-cargo version of the 777-200LR. It amalgamates features from the 777-200LR and the 777-300ER, using the -200LR's structural upgrades and 110,000 lbf (489 kN) GE90-110B1 engines, combined with the fuel tanks and undercarriage of the -300ER. The 777F was launched on May 23, 2005 with the expectation of entering service in late 2008.^[50] Air France-KLM is the 777F launch customer; ordering five aircraft with deliveries starting in 2008.^[51]^[1]

With a maximum payload of 103 tons, the 777F's capacity will be similar to the 112 tons of the 747-400F, with a nearly identical payload density. As Boeing's forthcoming 747-8 will offer greater payload than the -400F, Boeing is targeting the 777F as a replacement for older 747F and MD-11F freighters. The 777F promises improved operating economics compared to existing 100+ ton payload freighters. With the same fuel capacity as the 777-300ER, the 777F will have a range of 4,895 nmi (9,065 km) at maximum payload, although greater range will be possible if less weight is carried. For example, parcel and other carriers more concerned with volume than weight will be able to make non-stop trans-Pacific flights.

Airbus currently has no comparable aircraft but is developing two models with similar specifications to the 777F. The A330-200F will carry less payload but is a smaller and a cheaper alternative. With a capacity of around 90 tons the proposed A350-900F will be a more capable competitor. The MD-11F is another comparable aircraft but with less range than the 777F.

On November 7, 2006, FedEx Express canceled its order of ten Airbus A380-800Fs, citing the delays in delivery. FedEx Express said it would buy 15 777Fs instead, with an option to purchase 15 additional 777Fs.^[52] FedEx's CEO stated that "[t]he availability and delivery timing of this aircraft, coupled with its attractive payload range and economics, make this choice the best decision for FedEx."^[52]

The 777F made an official rollout ceremony in Everett, Washington on May 21, 2008, two days after a photo of the first 777 Freighter emerging from Boeing's paint hangar in Everett was released.^[53]^[54] The first 777F took off on its inaugural flight on July 14, 2008 from Paine Field.^[55] A total of 73 777Fs were on order as of October 2008.^[1]

777 Tanker (KC-777)

The KC-777 is a proposed tanker version of the 777. In September 2006, Boeing publicly announced that it was ready and willing to produce the KC-777, if the United States Air Force (USAF) requires a bigger tanker than the KC-767. In addition the tanker would be able to transport cargo or personnel.^[56]^[57] Boeing instead offered its KC-767 Advanced Tanker for USAF's KC-X competition in April 2007.^[58]

Operators

Main article: List of Boeing 777 operators

The first airline to operate the 777 was United Airlines. The customers that have had the most 777 delivered by the manufacturer are ILFC, Emirates Airline, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.

Incidents

As of July 2008, six incidents, including one hull-loss accident involving 777s had occurred,^[59] resulting in no fatalities among passengers or crew.^[60]

Notable accidents and incidents

The only known fatality involving a Boeing 777 occurred in a refueling fire at Denver International Airport on September 5, 2001, during which a ground worker sustained fatal burns.^[61] The aircraft, operated by British Airways, suffered scorching of the wings, it was repaired and put back into service.
On October 18, 2002, an Air France Boeing 777-200 en route from Paris to Los Angeles made an emergency landing in Churchill, Manitoba when a small fire broke out by the front left windshield in the cockpit. The passengers deplaned using the slides.^[62]
On August 24, 2004, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-312 had an engine explosion on takeoff at Melbourne Airport. This was caused by erosion of the high pressure compression liners in the Rolls-Royce engines.^[63]
On March 1, 2005, after a PIA Boeing 777-200ER landed at Manchester International Airport, UK, fire was seen around the left main landing gear. The crew and passengers were evacuated and the fire was extinguished. Some passengers suffered minor injuries and the aircraft sustained minor damage.^[64]
On August 1, 2005, Malaysia Airlines Flight 124, a 777-200ER had instruments showing conflicting reports of low airspeed on climb-out from Perth, Western Australia en route to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then overspeed and stalling. The aircraft started to pitch up at 41,000 feet, and the pilots disconnected the autopilot and made an emergency landing at Perth. No one was injured. Subsequent examination revealed that one of the aircraft's several accelerometers had failed some years before, and another at the time of the incident.^[65]^[66]
On January 17, 2008, British Airways Flight 38, a 777-200ER flying from Beijing to London, crash-landed approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) short of London Heathrow Airport's runway 27L, and slid onto the runway's threshold. There were thirteen injuries and no fatalities. This damaged the landing gear, wing roots and engines, resulting in the type's first hull loss.^[67] This is believed to have been caused by ice in the fuel system restricting fuel flow to both engines.^[68]

Specifications

	777-200	777-200ER	777-200LR	777 Freighter	777-300	777-300ER
Flightdeck crew	Two
Seating capacity, typical	305 (3-class) 400 (2-class)	301 (3-class) 400 (2-class)	301 (3-class)	N/A (cargo)	368 (3-class) 451 (2-class)	365 (3-class)
Length	209 ft 1 in (63.7 m)				242 ft 4 in (73.9 m)
Wingspan	199 ft 11 in (60.9 m)		212 ft 7 in (64.8 m)		199 ft 11 in (60.9 m)	212 ft 7 in (64.8 m)
Wing sweepback	31.64°
Tail height	60 ft 9 in (18.5 m)		61 ft 9 in (18.8 m)	61 ft 1 in (18.6 m)	60 ft 8 in (18.5 m)	61 ft 5 in (18.7 m)
Cabin width	19 ft 3 in (5.86 m)
Fuselage width	20 ft 4 in (6.19 m)
Cargo capacity	5,655 ft³ (160 m³) 14 LD3^[69]		5,302 ft³ (150 m³) 6 LD3	22,455 ft³ (636 m³) 37 pallets	7,080 ft³ (200 m³) 20 LD3^[70]
Empty weight	307,000 lb (139,225 kg)	315,000 lb (142,900 kg)	326,000 lb (148,181 kg)		353,600 lb (160,120 kg)	366,940 lb (166,881 kg)
Maximum take-off weight (MTOW)	545,000 lb (247,210 kg)	656,000 lb (297,560 kg)	766,000 lb (347,450 kg)		660,000 lb (299,370 kg)	775,000 lb (351,534 kg)
Cruising speed	0.84 Mach (560 mph, 905 km/h, 490 knots) at 35,000 ft cruise altitude^[71]
Maximum cruise speed	0.89 Mach (587 mph, 945 km/h, 510 knots) at 35,000 ft cruise altitude
Maximum payload range	3,250 nmi (6,020 km)	5,800 nmi (10,740 km)	7,500 nmi (13,890 km)	4,895 nmi (9,065 km)*	3,800 nmi (7,035 km)	5,500 nmi (10,190 km)
Maximum range	5,235 nmi (9,695 km)	7,700 nmi (14,260 km)	9,380 nmi (17,370 km)	4,885 nmi (9,045 km)*	6,015 nmi (11,135 km)	7,930 nmi (14,685 km)
Takeoff run at MTOW ISA+15 MSL	8,200 ft (2,500 m)	11,600 ft (3,536 m)			11,200 ft (3,410 m)	10,500 ft (3,200 m)
Maximum fuel capacity	31,000 US gal (117,000 L)	45,220 US gal (171,160 L)	53,440 US gal (202,290 L)	47,890 US gal (181,280 L)	45,220 US gal (171,160 L)	47,890 US gal (181,280 L)
Service ceiling	43,100 ft (13,140 m)
Engine (x 2)	PW 4077 RR 877 GE90-77B	PW 4090 RR 895 GE90-94B	GE90-110B GE90-115B	GE90-110B	PW 4098 RR 892 GE90-94B	GE90-115B
Thrust (x 2)	PW: 77,000 lbf (330 kN) RR: 77,000 lbf (330 kN) GE: 77,000 lbf (330 kN)	PW: 90,000 lbf (400 kN) RR: 94,000 lbf (410 kN) GE: 94,000 lbf (410 kN)	GE: 110,000 lbf (480 kN) GE: 115,000 lbf (510 kN)	GE: 110,000 lbf (480 kN)	PW: 98,000 lbf (430 kN) RR: 92,000 lbf (400 kN) GE: 94,000 lbf (410 kN)	GE: 115,000 lbf (510 kN)

Sources: Boeing 777 specs,^[72] Boeing 777 Airport planning report,^[73] Airliners.net^[74]^[75] *Preliminary range for aircraft not yet in service.

Sales and deliveries