The Boeing Story Part VII

After the development of six different airliners, the Boeing Company was asked to produce a long range airliner, to replace older airliners like the DC-10 and L1011. Originally designed as a stretched 767, the new airliner would become known today as the Boeing 777. Designed in the 1980's, the 777 was the first airliner developed through computer aided design.

Classified as a long range, high capacity, wide-body airliner, the 777 allows for airlines to move a large amount of passengers from continent to continent. Initially offered as only one model, but designed with a possible stretch in mind, the 777 allowed for minimum design costs for varying size aircraft. The initial model, the 777-200 can accommodate a maximum of 305 passengers in a three-class configuration (First, Business and Coach classes). The original model, the 777-200, allowed airlines to fly a maximum of over 5,000 miles, enough to allow for transatlantic operations. Later offered was the 777-200ER, ER standing for Extended Range, allowed airlines to carry the same number of passengers over 7,500 miles. This allowed for airlines to operate most transpacific flights, nearly anywhere in the world.

The latest model is the 777-200LR, LR standing for Long Range. However, while sharing the -200 designation, the -200LR does not share the same wing as the rest of the series, sharing its wing with the 777-300ER. Again, this model allows for airlines to carry the 305 passengers, but over 9,000 miles, allowing for operations to everywhere in the world from anywhere.