Boeing 777

The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The world's largest twinjet and commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven", the aircraft 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). 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]

Designed to bridge the capacity difference between the 767 and 747,^[5] the Boeing 777 is produced in two fuselage lengths. The original 777-200 model first entered service in 1995, and the stretched 777-300, which is 33.3 ft (10.1 m) longer, was introduced in 1998. The longer-range 777-200LR and 777-300ER variants entered service in 2006 and 2004, respectively, while a freighter version, the 777F, first flew in 2008. Both long range 777 models and the 777F are equipped with GE90 engines, wingtip extensions of 12.8 ft (3.9 m), and raked wingtips. The 777-200LR is currently the world's longest-range airliner,^[6] and holds the record for longest distance flown by an unrefueled commercial airliner.^[7]

The Boeing 777 entered commercial airline service with United Airlines in 1995, and Singapore Airlines operates the largest 777 fleet of any airline as of 2008.^[8] The most common 777 variant used worldwide is the 777-200ER, an extended range version of the original 777-200, with 408 aircraft delivered as of January 2009.^[1] As of January 2009, 56 customers have placed orders for 1,098 777s, with 741 delivered.^[1]

Through the 2000s, the Boeing 777 has emerged as one of its manufacturer's best-selling models.^[9][10] Due to rising fuel costs, airlines have acquired the 777 as a comparatively fuel-efficient alternative to other wide-body jets,^[10] and have increasingly used the aircraft on long-haul, transoceanic routes.^[9] Direct market competitors to the 777 include the Airbus A330-300 and A340, with the upcoming, improved fuel efficiency A350 XWB and Boeing 787 programs currently in development.