The Boeing Co.’s farthest-flying jet is ready to carry passengers.
The company said Thursday that its 777-200LR Worldliner had received certification from U.S. and European authorities to carry passengers, clearing the way for airlines to start using it, and for Boeing to start building them in greater numbers.
The certification comes after a six-month flight test program, which included a record-setting 22-hour 42-minute flight from Hong Kong to London. In all, the two test planes were tested for 886 hours in the air and 318 hours on the ground.
“The 777-200LR performed very well throughout its comprehensive flight test program,” said Bob Buchholz, chief engineer for the testing.
The first Worldliner will be delivered to Pakistan International Airlines later this month.
The 777-200LR is the longest-range commercial jet ever built. It is capable of carrying 301 passengers up to 10,800 miles – about 4,800 miles farther than the original 777-200, which entered service a decade ago.
With that range, it can “connect just about any two cities around the world,” said Lars Andersen, Boeing’s vice president and 777 program manager, in a statement announcing the certification. “The 777-200LR is more fuel efficient, has more range and carries more passengers and cargo than the competition.”
Development work on the plane was delayed by the industrial slump that followed the 2001 terrorist attacks, and early sales were slow. Until last year, Boeing had sold only five of the planes, to the Pakistanis and to EVA Air of Taiwan.
However, Boeing landed three deals for the jet last year, selling 13 to Air Canada, 10 to Middle Eastern airline Emirates and eight to Air India. A report in an industry publication suggests Boeing is in further talks with Australian airline Qantas for 10 or 12 more Worldiners.
In addition, Boeing has launched a freighter version of the plane, which will use the same powerful engines. Boeing has so far sold 23 of these 777F cargo jets, with Emirates and leasing company Avion Group of Iceland ordering eight each.
Reporter Bryan Corliss: 425-339-3454 or corliss@heraldnet.com.
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