The 777 twinjet was launched into production in October 1990, providing Boeing's challenge to the Airbus A330/A340 and the then McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The aircraft is Boeing's first FBW airliner, and is the world's largest twinjet. Two sizes of 777 are in production - the baseline 300/375-seat -200 and the stretched 370/450-seat -300. The initial -200 version entered service with United Airlines in June 1995. Deliveries of the -300 began in May 1998 to Cathay Pacific. The baseline 777-200/200ER and -300 are offered with the General ElectricGE90, Pratt & Whitney PW4000 and Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines. New longer range derivatives, the -200LR and -300ER, are powered exclusively by the 110,000-115,000lb-thrust GE90-115B engine. The -300ER will enter service in September 2003 and the -200LR by January 2004. (See Flight International, 3-9 December 1997 for a full technical appraisal; 15-20 February 2000 for an in-service review.)
Source: Flight International
