The introduction of the widebody airliner with the Boeing 747 in the late 1960s marked one of the most significant changes in the commercial aviation industry. The new widebody aircraft enabled long-haul travel, reshaping how airlines plan routes and how passengers experience global travel. Widebody aircraft eventually became the backbone of global air carriers, helping to define intercontinental travel for decades to come.

Over the years, aircraft manufacturers have introduced increasingly fuel-efficient and powerful aircraft, leading to a new generation of planes. Among the notable milestones of the global widebody fleet was the introduction of the Boeing 777-200LR, which was an aircraft engineered to push the boundaries of long-haul travel. However, since the aircraft was introduced in the mid-2000s, the 777-200LR has begun to age out of commercial service. Improvements and upgrades in new aircraft have matched the 777-200LR’s capabilities while lowering operating costs. Because of this, many airlines have turned to new widebody aircraft to replace the 777-200LR in their fleets.

A Brief History Of The Boeing 777-200LR

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The early development of the Boeing 777 series can be traced back to the 1980s. During this time, the widebody industry was evolving rapidly, as McDonnell Douglas was developing the MD-11 and Airbus was working on the A330 and A340. Boeing intended to stay strong in this segment, initially attempting to introduce a stretched variant of the Boeing 767. However, throughout the 1990s, it became clear that airline requirements were becoming increasingly specific, leading Boeing to develop a new clean sheet design, later called the Boeing 777.

Boeing recruited eight airlines: All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and United Airlines, to serve as advisors for the new aircraft type. These airlines helped to shape the requirements for the new aircraft, which was developed in the early 1990s. The first Boeing 777 rolled out of production in April 1994, and it conducted its maiden flight on June 12, 1994. After the conclusion of the flight testing program, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) awarded the aircraft its type certification in April 1995.

The first Boeing 777 was introduced into commercial service by United Airlines in June 1995, flying from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in the UK to Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C. Over the years, Boeing introduced several upgraded variants, including the 777-200ER and the 777-300. The second generation of Boeing 777 was introduced in the mid-2000s, which included the legendary Boeing 777-200LR. This aircraft was one of the longest-range commercial airliners, later setting the record for the longest nonstop flight by a commercial airliner. Over the years, Boeing has introduced over 1,750 total Boeing 777s to airlines around the world.

Major Design Features And Performance Specifications

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Boeing introduced several technological upgrades to the Boeing 777 series, including fully digital fly-by-wire flight controls. The manufacturer also incorporated the use of composite materials in the airframe and a wing that featured a supercritical airfoil design that is swept back at approximately 31.6 degrees. Boeing also incorporated Honeywell LCD glass cockpit flight displays and the first use of a fiber optic avionics network on a commercial airliner.

Early models of the Boeing 777 were powered by either the General Electric GE90, Pratt & Whitney PW4000, or Rolls-Royce Trent 800 turbofan engine. However, the second-generation 777 variants, including the 777-200LR, were powered exclusively by the General Electric GE90. These engines each provided the aircraft with over 115,000 pounds of thrust, helping the aircraft achieve the following performance specifications:

The Boeing 777 series also features a high-capacity for passengers. The largest variant in the family, the 777-300, could seat a maximum of 396 passengers in a two-class configuration. However, the 777-200LR typically seats 301 passengers in a three-class configuration or 317 passengers in a two-class configuration, enabling airlines to carry a high number of passengers on ultra-long-haul routes.

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Airlines That Still Operate The Boeing 777-200LR

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Although the Boeing 777-200LR was introduced in 2006, the airliner still maintains relevance today. The aircraft features an increased MTOW and three auxiliary fuel tanks in the rear cargo hold that enable the airline to reach a maximum range of 8,555 nautical miles (9,845 miles), making it one of the furthest flying commercial aircraft in the world. According to ch-aviation, there are 35 active Boeing 777-200LRs still flying in commercial service.

Currently, the largest operator of the Boeing 777-200LR is Emirates. According to ch-aviation, the airline flies ten different aircraft, ranging from 16.69 years to 18.3 years. Typically, Emirates operates its fleet of Boeing 777-200LRs in a two-class configuration, seating a total of 302 passengers. This includes 38 business class seats and 264 economy class seats.

Qatar Airways is another prominent operator of the Boeing 777-200LR, flying seven active aircraft. According to ch-aviation, these aircraft range in age from 14.22 years to 16.85 years. Like Emirates, Qatar Airways operates these aircraft in a two-class configuration, ranging from 272 to 276 total seats. According to ch-aviation, the largest operators of the Boeing 777-200LR include:

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Another Boeing Widebody

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As airlines begin to retire their Boeing 777-200LRs from commercial service, many airlines will turn to another widebody aircraft as a replacement. This includes another Boeing aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner. In the early 2000s, Boeing was seeing success in the widebody industry with the introduction of the 777 series. However, Boeing also wanted to develop a new widebody aircraft for a much cheaper price, leading to the development of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Boeing 787 is designed with a significant number of lightweight structures, as 80% of the aircraft is made of composite materials by volume. The large fuselage is capable of seating up to 440 passengers in the largest variant, the 787-10, or 330 passengers in a two-class configuration. It features a similar fly-by-wire flight control system to the Boeing 777. Like other airliners, the aircraft is powered by two different engine options: the General Electric GEnx or the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000. These engines help the aircraft achieve the following performance specifications:

Since its introduction in October 2011 with All Nippon Airways, Boeing has produced over 1,250 total 787s. The aircraft has been utilized by global air carriers, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Etihad Airways, and British Airways.

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The Upgrade: A Look At The Boeing 777X Series

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As many operators look to retire their 777-200LRs, it makes sense that many airlines will turn to the next generation of the 777 family, the 777X series. This generation was developed in response to the Airbus A350 project in the early 2010s. Initially, Boeing intended to begin deliveries of the 777X series in the late 2010s. However, the project has been hit by a significant number of delays, and the aircraft is yet to be certified.

Boeing introduced an improved and larger wing on the Boeing 777X. It also features folding wingtips, which allow the aircraft to utilize existing airport gates. Boeing also added improved engines, which help to achieve a much better fuel consumption and improved operational costs. The 777X series is powered by just the General Electric GE9X engine, which provides the aircraft with about 110,000 pounds of thrust. This helps the aircraft achieve the following performance specifications:

Although the aircraft has not yet been certified, Boeing is targeting an introduction date in 2027. Even so, many airlines have already ordered a significant number of aircraft in the series, signalling their reliance on a long-range Boeing-built widebody aircraft. Emirates is the largest customer, recently increasing its order size to a staggering 270 total aircraft. Other operators with open orders include Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, and Lufthansa.

Airbus’ Response: A Look At The Airbus A350

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As the Boeing 777 second-generation series begins to age, many airline customers have turned to Airbus for a replacement widebody. Airbus’ answer to this was the introduction of the Airbus A350. This aircraft first began development in 2004, as a response to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner project. However, the first Airbus A350 did not enter commercial service until January 2015 with Qatar Airways.

Airbus introduced a new composite wing with a 31.5 degree sweep angle. Airbus also selected only the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan engine to power the A350 series. This engine is capable of providing up to 97,000 pounds of thrust depending on the variant. This helps the A350 series achieve the following performance specifications:

The A350 has grown to become one of Airbus’ most successful projects, as it has produced nearly 700 total aircraft since its introduction in 2015. Major air carriers around the world have chosen the A350 to expand their widebody fleet. This includes Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air France, Delta Air Lines, and Air China.