Boeing Worldliner's record honoured

BY A CORRESPONDENT
May 3, 2006

The National Aeronautics Association has named the record-setting distance flight of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner as one of the most memorable aviation records of 2005. The 777-200LR record flight was among eight achievements in aviation, chosen from more than 100 records set in the United States last year, honored by the NAA at an awards ceremony Friday evening in Arlington, VA.

In November 2005, the 777-200LR (Longer Range) set a new world record for distance traveled nonstop by a commercial jetliner, flying 11,664 nautical miles (21,601 kilometers) eastbound from Hong Kong to London.

"The 777-200LR is revolutionizing the way people fly with its unmatched range, providing more opportunities for nonstop travel between more city pairs around the world," said Lars Andersen, vice president -- program manager, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The airplane is more fuel efficient than the competition and can carry more people farther." On its record flight, the 777-200LR took off from Hong Kong the evening of Nov. 9 flying over the North Pacific Ocean, across North America, and then over the mid-North Atlantic Ocean. The airplane landed at London Heathrow Airport the afternoon of Nov. 10 after logging 22 hours and 42 minutes for the flight.

"We had a great team that devoted months of work to prepare for this flight and make it a tremendous success," said Capt. Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, the project pilot leader for the 777-200LR record flight. "For my colleagues and me it was the flight of a career. We won't have another opportunity to do this again."

The first two 777-200LRs, including the airplane that set the world record, were delivered to launch customer Pakistan International Airlines, which currently operates the airplane on a route from Karachi to Toronto.

The 777-200LR is the fifth and newest model of the market-leading 777 family. As the world's longest-range commercial jetliner, it can connect virtually any two cities in the world nonstop. In service, the 777-200LR can carry 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,445 kilometers). Compared to competing aircraft, the 777-200LR burns 24 percent less fuel per passenger, travels 760 nautical miles farther and carries 21 more passengers.

To date, Boeing has sold 827 777s and has delivered 556 to 46 airlines and lease operators around the world.