15/02/2005

Boeing 777 offers long-haul economy

US aircraft maker Boeing will unveil its latest plane today in a bid to recover market share and win back its position as the world's number one plane maker from European rival, Airbus.

The Boeing strategy embodied in the 777, in contrast with the latest aircraft from Airbus, which recently unveiled its behemoth A380, is for a smaller and potentially more fuel-efficient aircraft that can fly almost 11,000 kilometres (5,900 miles) non-stop.

The twin-engine 777, while larger than all other current twin and tri-jet aircraft, is smaller than the 747. Passenger capacity is claimed to be up to 550, though typical seating arrangements will mean a realistic capacity of around 450 passengers as in the normal passenger configuration the 777 will be expected to have twin isles.

Boeing say the long-haul capabilities of the 777 could help dispense with stop-offs at airport hubs and will carry the strategy of non-stop flights forward. This is the exact opposite of the Airbus A380 concept. The two-deck 'super-jumbo' can carry up to 840 passengers and will be expected to take passengers to large airport hubs for transfer flights on to their final destination.

Boeing is confident that the 777, which will be available in four main variants, will win orders for around 500 of the 777-200LR aircraft over the next 20 years.

The 777 is the first jetliner to be designed completely in the digital domain using 3D computer graphics.

The innovative design process removed the need for a costly, full-scale mock-up assembly.

The aircraft, which was "pre-assembled" on the computer, will first be seen in reality as the prototype production aircraft.

(SP)

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