The 777 has been a great success for Boeing and is the company’s best-selling widebody to date.
It was launched in 1994 and is now entering its third generation with the new 777X.
Developed as a clean-sheet design in the 90s, it was designed to capitalize on the improvements
in twin-engine performance. This idea is taken further as the 777X becomes the largest twin jet
aircraft ever to fly. Let’s take an in-depth look at the story of the Boeing 777 in today’s video!
The Boeing 777 came about as a new aircraft to fill the gap between the 767 and the 747. By
the 1980s, Boeing had developed a solid lineup of aircraft. The Boeing 737 had become the dominant
short-haul aircraft, and it offered a variety of longer-range aircraft - the 757, 767, and the 747.
The 747 was the top choice for long-haul routes,
with twin-engine aircraft previously limited in operation. This changed with the introduction of
ETOPS rules, with twinjets able to operate further from a diversion airport.
Restrictions were changed in 1985, and the first ETOPS 120 flight was with a TWA Boeing 767 from
Boston to Paris. This allowed for routes up to 120 minutes from a diversion airport.
The change in regulations opened up transatlantic routes to the 767 (and even the 757). Just as
the 747 had changed airline economics with its high capacity offering, this
changed things again with more efficient, lower operating cost, aircraft serving longer routes.
The 767 worked well for lower capacity routes (and allowed new routes to be launched). But there was
a gap in the market now for a twin-engine aircraft with higher capacity. Airbus took advantage of
this with its joint A330 and A340 project. The A330 was the largest twin-engine yet when it was
completed in 1992. It was not long, though, before the 777 was launched and took over.
Boeing originally proposed upgrading the 767 to serve this market. The 767X would
offer a stretched fuselage and larger wings. But airlines rejected this,
wanting a wider fuselage and improved operating costs, leading to a new, clean-sheet design.
Boeing launched the 777 project in 1989,
with the first aircraft flying in 1994 and entering service in 1995.
The 777 was developed in close collaboration with eight airlines - All Nippon Airways,
American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines,
United Airlines, and Qantas. All except Qantas went on to order the aircraft.
This collaboration established the capacity and other specifications to be used and ideal
variations. US airlines, for example, preferred a shorter fuselage aircraft, while others,
including ANA, wanted longer. And British Airways among others, wanted a longer-range version.
These preferences were all reflected in the initial 777 design.
The 777 was Boeing's first aircraft to rely heavily on computer design during development.
While there were some initial mockups, Boeing later claimed that it was the first aircraft
that quote “didn’t need its kinks worked out on an expensive physical mockup plane.”
Construction took place at Boeing's Everett facility. There was a significant expansion
to add two new production lines. All widebodies before the 787 were built there.
It was notable, though, for subcontracting large amounts of work to other companies,
including to international suppliers. This concept was taken much further later-on with
Boeing's next clean-sheet design, the 787. Parts manufactured were smaller and easier
to transport than they would be for the 787 (where entire composite fuselage sections,
and the wing, are built overseas), requiring the use of the Boeing Dreamlifters for transport.
For the original 777, construction took place in several countries. In Japan,
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries built fuselage panels.
Fuji Heavy Industries was tasked with the aircraft’s center wing section. Over in Australia,
Aerospace Technologies of Australia built the rudder and Hawker de Havilland the elevators.
Boeing later acquired both these companies.
The first 777 was unveiled in April 1994 and made its first flight on June 12th. This original 777
(the 777-200) was the smaller of two variants, designed to meet the needs of US airlines. It
entered service with United Airlines and operated its first commercial flight on June 7th, 1995.
Over the next three years, Boeing launched two more variants.
Overall, the three first generation (or classic) variants are as follows:
The 777-200, which was the initial,
shorter variant. This entered service in 1995 with United Airlines.
There was the 777-200ER, which offered increased range (and
payload). This entered service with British Airways in February 1997.
The 777-300 featured a stretched fuselage with
an additional 10 meters. This entered service with Cathay Pacific in May 1998.
By 1997, 777 orders had risen to 323 aircraft from
25 airlines - it was already well on the way to being a strong success for Boeing.
Boeing always had the intention to increase the range of the 777. Early proposals looked at
shortening the -200 to develop a lower capacity but higher range variant (similar to what was
done for the 747SP). This was dropped, though, in favor of keeping the capacity.
In the late 1990s, Boeing began the development of these next-generation of 777 aircraft.
Of course, they kept commonality with the same fuselage and cockpit design but also increased
the wingspan (by almost four meters). Engines were also switched to the newly developed GE90
engines. Thus, there was no longer a choice of engines as with the first generation.
The first aircraft to be developed from this generation was the 777-300ER. This
entered service in 2004 and would combine the size of the 777-300 with the range of
the 777-200ER by increasing the maximum take-off weight.
The fuselage and landing gear were also strengthened. This matched the long-haul
needs of many airlines, and the 777-3000ER has gone on to be the most sold 777 variant.
The 777-300ER was joined by the ultra-long-range 777-200LR in 2006. This kept the length of the
777-200 but used the same improvements as the -3000ER to allow increased weight.
With additional fuel tanks, it extended the range to almost
16,000 kilometers. It entered service with Pakistan International Airlines in 2006.
It has not been a great success with only 60 aircraft delivered. Its main problem was,
in fact, too much range! It achieved its range through
extra fuel - this made it heavy and expensive to operate on long routes.
As part of this second generation, Boeing launched the 777F freighter model. This took advantage of
the upgraded engines and increased MTOW to carry freight payload. Critically,
its maximum payload was only slightly lower than that of the 747-200F (104 tonnes compared
to 110 tonnes), so it made a good choice for retiring older Boeing freighters.
The 777 and 747 together have ensured Boeing continued dominance in the freighter market.
There is a chance for Airbus to challenge this dominance with its A350 freighter. In
terms of orders, the Airbus rival seems to be off to a good start.
The 777 story is far from over, with the 777X now being tested and due to enter service in
the coming years. This will be the largest and highest capacity twin-engine aircraft to date.
The 777X was first proposed in 2011, with a targeting flying date of 2018,
as a larger, more efficient successor to the 777-300ER.
It keeps a lot in common with the previous 777 family members and introduces some key
new features. Most importantly, it retains the same metal fuselage construction.
The Boeing 787 (and the A350) are clean-sheet designs that have
introduced composite fuselage construction to reduce overall weight significantly.
The 777X has the same fuselage but has increased its width by
around four inches through thinner walls and more efficient insulation.
If all goes according to plan, there will be two versions of the 777X: The 777-9 and the
smaller 777-8. The 777-9 (the first to launch) offers a capacity of up to 426 (in a two-class
configuration). With a length of 76 meters, it is the longest commercial jet to date.
The smaller 777-8, if or when it gets built, will offer a capacity of around 384.
The smaller 777-8 will compete well against the A350-1000. But the 777-9 is really in a
twin-engine category of its own and takes the capacity of twins much closer to quadjets,
Despite its commonality with earlier 777 types,
there is a lot to be excited about with the 777X. It will achieve more efficient operation,
but with high capacity and range with new engines and larger wings.
When it coems to New engines, it will feature the largest and most powerful
to date. The new General Electric GE9X engine features carbon fiber
construction and fewer fan blades to reduce weight despite the larger size.
After several delays, the GE9X engines finally received FAA certification in September 2020.
There are also Folding wingtips. The larger wings on the 777X are critical for its performance and
efficiency. But large wings can cause operational problems at many airports - a problem faced by the
A380. The 777X wingtips fold on the ground, reducing its wingspan by around five meters.
This keeps it in a lower aerodrome category and expands its operating possibilities.
There have been several setbacks to the development of the 777X. There were initial
delays due to engine issues and structural testing. And further delays have been incurred
due to the slowdown during the pandemic. Boeing's original plan was to have it in airline service
by 2021 but this continues to change. The aircraft is currently undergoing test flights.
In January 2021, Boeing stated it would not deliver the first jet until late 2023.
In an interview with Simple Flying in April 2021,
Emirates’ President Sir Tim Clark referred to the Boeing
777X program being “in a state of disarray,” indicating delivery could be as late as 2025.
The current estimate - at the time of this video’s production - sees the aircraft entering service in
early 2025. Of course, there’s always a chance that this could change again in the future!
On January 31st, 2022, Boeing announced that it would be offering a 777X freighter. Last year,
it was expected that this variant would enter service in 2027.
Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are the main customers for this cargo jet thus far.
The full story of the 777X could still change. While only the two passenger
variants have so far been confirmed, there is the possibility of more for the 777 family. A
possible further stretch to a 777-10X would take passenger capacity up to around 450.
Nothing has been confirmed by Boeing as it aims to focus on getting the -9 into
service. Such a stretch technically should not be too difficult, but the decision will
undoubtedly depend on airline demand and whether Airbus revisits the idea of an A350 stretch.
With well over 2,200 orders to date, the Boeing 777 has been the most successful widebody.
But we are only just seeing the start of its next generation, with plenty of life left in it.
So what do you think of the Boeing 777? What are some notable flights you’ve
taken with this aircraft type? Share your experiences by leaving a comment down below!
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