Boeing Delivers World Record 777-200LR to PIA

[GE90]

http://boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q1/060324a_nr.html

PIA had the vision to be the launch customer for the -200LR. This is their second 200LR. It was the actual aircraft that broke the world record for distance in November 2005 as described in the press release. The aircraft immediately went into revenue service. Delivery flight was from BFI to JFK, then revenue flight from JFK to Islamabad. Their LR flights allow non stop from Pakistan to North America for the first time, and are already sold out for the first two months. PIA will be the only airline operating all versions of the 777 when it takes delivery of the -300ER later this year. Congratulations to PIA for their leadership and courage.

[Jense]

I have a technical question regarding the 777LR.

What exactly makes it fly further than the normal 777's? The raked wingtips, extra fuel tanks, wider wingspan and more composite materials?

[SAS_MD80]

The 772LR is technically a shrunk 773ER. It shares the latter's increased MaxTOW, extra fuel tanks in the wingbox, longer wing with raked wingtips and above all the increased thrust GE90-115 engine, which is instrumental in the performance of both aircraft. This engine is the highest thrust turbofan available in the world and was very expensive to develop, hence the exclusivity GE got for these two aircraft (just as RR is the only engine maker for the A345 and A346)

[Jense]

Thanks for the very usefull information, SAS_MD80. Much appreciated.

[SAS_MD80]

Anytime.

[Ovostar]

There is no special livery for this world record plane ?

[fokker_f27]

There is no special livery for this world record plane ?

I think PIA will put some sticker on it, like "longest flying plane" or something.


Myself I have a question too. Why would an airline need a plane that flys that far? It seems like the 777-200ER can already fly all the routes. Is it maybe for higher ETOPS, which means quicker?

[GE90]

777-200 range: 5,210 nm (305 pax triclass)
777-200ER range: 7,730 nm (301 pax)
777-300ER range: 7,880 nm (365 pax)
777-200LR range: 9,420 nm (301 pax)

So you can see the LR is in a class by itself vs. the -200ER. This opens up routes that would not be possible before. As PIA have shown, there is a real demand for these creative routes.

[SAS_MD80]

Agreed. Those new routes are commontly referred to as "ultra long range" operations. The first aircraft capable of such performance was the A345 (with a slighly lower range but no limitations due to twin engines) and the first airline to operate such route was SIA with their A345 "Leadership" on the first Singapore-New York non stop flight.
Those long (often up to 18 hours) operations pose new issues, such as crew fatigue, and passenger entertainment and health.

[Ovostar]

20hours flight... a nightmare heheeh, imagine how would your face look after!

[chornedsnorkack]

20hours flight... a nightmare heheeh, imagine how would your face look after!

Well, what DID the faces of people look after? I mean, even the EIS flight was supposedly full. Has anyone actually been on the Worldliner, and what were the seats like?

[GE90]

After the Record Flight (22 h 42) all were somewhat tired but no worse than say a typical transpacific flight. With a total of 35 on board there was plenty of room. Here are some pics, you can see the mood was happy more than tired!

http://homepage.mac.com/jetlife2/Pictur ... bum23.html

Now the a/c is reconfigured in 2-class and looks terrific.

[Knight255]

How many crews were on board for that flight?? I can imagine that they'd need at least two.

[earthman]

From the looks of the pictures, 10 pilots and one flight attendant.

How far could they have flown without hitching a ride from the jetstream?