Andrew Doyle/BRUSSELS
Boeing is studying the possibility of stretching the 777-300X to accommodate up to 60 more passengers. The move comes at the request of some of the airlines evaluating the twinjet as a replacement for the 747-400.
"We're listening to the airlines and asking the question: 'Can we do it and how much will it cost?'," says Tim Fehr, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group vice-president airplane systems.
Low-level engineering work is understood to have been under way since the idea was first discussed at the Paris air show in June. Fehr emphasises that the studies are at the feasibility stage and no proposals have been provided to airlines.
The extra capacity is believed to have been requested by a handful of Asian airlines looking at using the 777-300X as a 747-400 replacement on routes to Europe. In its current configuration, the -300X offers the same range as the 416-seat 747-400 but carries 50-60 fewer passengers.
To increase capacity by 60 passengers, it is estimated that Boeing would need to stretch the aircraft by around 8m (26ft). The 777-300 is already the longest airliner in production, and this stretch would increase overall length to more than 80m.
A modest double stretch of the 777 is understood to be technically feasible without changes to the wing or landing gear, though slightly uprated engines would be required.
The nominal 13,500km (7,300nm) range of the 777-300X could probably be maintained, but any reduction could be offset by the hoped-for availability of shorter routes between Europe and Asia over Russia.
Boeing hopes to launch its long-delayed 777-200X/300X long-range derivatives early next year.
Source: Flight International
