20th anniversary for Boeing 777 jetliner

The first flight of the 777 on June 12, 1994 Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first Boeing 777's entry into service on June ...

The first flight of the 777 on June 12, 1994

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first Boeing 777's entry into service on June 5, 1995, a historic milestone for the aviation industry.

Often referred to as the “Triple Seven”, the 777 is one of the most commercially successful twin aisle airplane of all time.The program was launched in October 1990 with an order from United Airlines.

Its visible features include super large engines, low hanging landing gear and a blade shaped tail cone with a relatively narrow tailfin.

First delivery of the 777 to United in 1995. Notice the fly by of the very first 777

The 777 was the first Boeing jetliner designed using three-dimensional computer graphics. The aircraft was virtually pre-assembled during the design process, eliminating costly full scale mock ups.

The 777 effectively and efficiently replaced the Boeing 747 in long haul flights, which offered a 20% less fuel burn than the 747.
 

The airplane can seat from 305 to 440 passengers in a three-class configuration with a range of 5,240 nautical miles (9700 kilometers) to 9,395 nautical miles (17,395 kilometers). The 777 is capable of cruising at altitudes up to 43,100 feet.

Roll out of the extended 777-300 on September 8,1997

By 2014, the 777 were available in six models: the 777-200, 777-200ER (Extended Range), a larger 777-300, two longer range models, the 777-300ER, which rolled out Nov. 14, 2002; and 777-200LR Worldliner (the world’s longest range commercial airplane) and the Boeing 777 Freighter.

Boeing has announced baseline engine, airplane weight and aerodynamic improvements to 777, that will lower trip fuel use by 2 percent, to be phased into production by the third quarter of 2016.

The twinjet had three engine choices, the  Pratt & Whitney 4074/4077 engines, the GE90-75B/76B engines and the Roll Royce Trent 875/877 engines in the 74,600-/76,900-pound-thrust class.

777-200LR

The GE90 engine features several technology firsts, including carbon fiber composite front fan blades, the world’s largest front fan at 128 inches in diameter and the world-record setting thrust of 127,900 pounds during certification testing.

In November 2013, Boeing launched the improved 777 designated 777X at the Dubai Airshow with 259 commitments from four customers, designed to compete with the re-engined Airbus A330neo.

Production of the 777X is scheduled to begin in 2017, and first delivery targeted for 2020.

777X

 The 777X was designed to be the largest and most-efficient twin-engine jet in the world, with 12 percent lower fuel consumption and 10 percent lower operating costs than the competition.

 The 777X will be exclusively powered by the GE9X turbofan, which will become the largest diameter engine with a 134-inch diameter composite fan case.

Currently, there have been 1,852 orders for all models of the airplane including the new 777X.