Japan Airlines (JAL) is the first of the Boeing 777X launch customers to reveal its orders, confirming its long-expected deal for up to 10 aircraft.
The Japanese flag carrier has placed firm orders for eight 777-300ERs and taken options on two more. Deliveries of the 300-seaters will take place between June 2004 and 2008. The aircraft will replace the airline's older 747 Classics. JAL will use the 13,380km (7,230nm)-range twinjet on long-haul services from Tokyo to destinations such as New York and Rome.
JAL, one of the original 777 launch customers, operates 10 Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered examples - five -200s and five -300s - and has five -200s on order. With General Electric the exclusive engine supplier on the new models, the airline's -300ERs will be powered by the GE90. JAL's 777X deal with Boeing is understood to include the cancellation of five of the airline's eight remaining GE CF6-powered 747-400 orders.
The -300ER will be the first to enter service with JAL, in September 2003, followed by the smaller, ultra-long-range -200LR six months later. JAL's delivery schedule indicates that it will not be the launch operator. Other potential customers for the new models include Air France, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, EVA Air and GE Capital Aviation Services.
Source: Flight International
