23 June 2005
Muscat - The latest product from the Boeing 777 family, the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, touched down in Muscat yesterday after wowing one and all at the Paris Air Show.
The Worldliner's "Going the Distance" tour will see the aircraft visiting more than 20 cities in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia and North America over an eight week period. In addition to Muscat, the other Middle East stops include Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. The global test flight of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner began in Montreal, Canada on June 8.
The Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner is the longest-range commercial airplane in the world, capable of connecting virtually any two cities in the world nonstop, such as Muscat-Los Angeles or Sydney-New York. The latter route covers a distance of 16,200km, which is more than a third way round the planet.
During its stopover in Muscat, the Worldliner's flight-test crew and senior Boeing executives received senior officials from Oman Air who were very much impressed by the aircraft. The guests were briefed on the latest advancement in comfort, performance and efficiency of the 777-200LR Worldliner aboard the aircraft. Journalists also were given a tour of the blue and white wide-bodied, double aisled aircraft at Seeb International Airport.
Comfort seemed to be written all over the aircraft beginning with the lounge area in the front of the aircraft in which the ceiling was made to look exactly like the starry sky above Seattle in the US. This star constellation can be changed to that of any other country.
The 777-200LR World-liner offers the widest seats in all classes. First-class passengers have 21-inch-wide (53cm) seats, while the business-class seats are 20 inches (50cm) wide and in the economy class the seats are 18.5-inch-wide (47cm).
A total of 301 passengers can be accommodated on this plane. Speaking on the occasion, Lee Monson, vice-president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Sales, Middle East and Africa, said: "Non-stop travel is set to grow over the next couple of decades and Boeing's product strategy, which includes the Worldliner, will help airlines leverage this trend."
"The 777-200LR will enable airlines to launch new non-stop routes and explore markets that once could only be accomplished with one or more stopovers," he added.
"Each section of the 777-200LR Worldliner cabin demonstrates new and innovative features that enhance the 777's reputation as the airplane most preferred by passengers for comfort, as well as being the most technologically-advanced airplane in service," Lee said.
The Worldliner showcases the latest 777 interior offerings and cabin layouts that will allow airlines to differentiate their product offering to passengers. The newest member of the Boeing 777 family, the 777-200LR Worldliner while connecting any two cities in the world nonstop, will also carry more passengers and more revenue cargo farther than any other jetliner.
According to Brad D. Till, another Boeing official, who conducted the tour for the journalists, provisions for up to three optional fuel tanks have been added in the aft cargo area of the 777-200LR to be able to fly a range of 9,420 nautical miles (17,446km) with full passenger payload.
The 777-200LR adds value to the 777 family, and particularly complements the popular 777-200ER. The 777-200LR also serves as the platform for the Boeing 777 Freighter, the world's largest, most capable twin-engine freighter. Boeing launched the 777 Freighter in May.
Launch customer Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will receive the first 777-200LR Worldliner in January 2006.
To-date, four airlines have ordered or announced commitments for the Worldliner - PIA, EVA Airways, Air Canada and Air India. Orders and commitments for the 777-200LR have more than tripled since the airplane was unveiled in February this year, the Boeing officials said.
Muscat - The latest product from the Boeing 777 family, the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, touched down in Muscat yesterday after wowing one and all at the Paris Air Show.
The Worldliner's "Going the Distance" tour will see the aircraft visiting more than 20 cities in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia and North America over an eight week period. In addition to Muscat, the other Middle East stops include Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. The global test flight of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner began in Montreal, Canada on June 8.
The Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner is the longest-range commercial airplane in the world, capable of connecting virtually any two cities in the world nonstop, such as Muscat-Los Angeles or Sydney-New York. The latter route covers a distance of 16,200km, which is more than a third way round the planet.
During its stopover in Muscat, the Worldliner's flight-test crew and senior Boeing executives received senior officials from Oman Air who were very much impressed by the aircraft. The guests were briefed on the latest advancement in comfort, performance and efficiency of the 777-200LR Worldliner aboard the aircraft. Journalists also were given a tour of the blue and white wide-bodied, double aisled aircraft at Seeb International Airport.
Comfort seemed to be written all over the aircraft beginning with the lounge area in the front of the aircraft in which the ceiling was made to look exactly like the starry sky above Seattle in the US. This star constellation can be changed to that of any other country.
The 777-200LR World-liner offers the widest seats in all classes. First-class passengers have 21-inch-wide (53cm) seats, while the business-class seats are 20 inches (50cm) wide and in the economy class the seats are 18.5-inch-wide (47cm).
A total of 301 passengers can be accommodated on this plane. Speaking on the occasion, Lee Monson, vice-president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Sales, Middle East and Africa, said: "Non-stop travel is set to grow over the next couple of decades and Boeing's product strategy, which includes the Worldliner, will help airlines leverage this trend."
"The 777-200LR will enable airlines to launch new non-stop routes and explore markets that once could only be accomplished with one or more stopovers," he added.
"Each section of the 777-200LR Worldliner cabin demonstrates new and innovative features that enhance the 777's reputation as the airplane most preferred by passengers for comfort, as well as being the most technologically-advanced airplane in service," Lee said.
The Worldliner showcases the latest 777 interior offerings and cabin layouts that will allow airlines to differentiate their product offering to passengers. The newest member of the Boeing 777 family, the 777-200LR Worldliner while connecting any two cities in the world nonstop, will also carry more passengers and more revenue cargo farther than any other jetliner.
According to Brad D. Till, another Boeing official, who conducted the tour for the journalists, provisions for up to three optional fuel tanks have been added in the aft cargo area of the 777-200LR to be able to fly a range of 9,420 nautical miles (17,446km) with full passenger payload.
The 777-200LR adds value to the 777 family, and particularly complements the popular 777-200ER. The 777-200LR also serves as the platform for the Boeing 777 Freighter, the world's largest, most capable twin-engine freighter. Boeing launched the 777 Freighter in May.
Launch customer Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will receive the first 777-200LR Worldliner in January 2006.
To-date, four airlines have ordered or announced commitments for the Worldliner - PIA, EVA Airways, Air Canada and Air India. Orders and commitments for the 777-200LR have more than tripled since the airplane was unveiled in February this year, the Boeing officials said.
© Times of Oman 2005
