25 replies to this topic

[Aharon]

Shalom and greetings all my pals,

As the subject heading speaks for itself,  American Airlines became first USA airline to get 777-300ER.

Here is excerpt of official announcement from Boeing:

Quote

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and American Airlines today announced the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has exercised options for two 777-300ERs (extended range).

"American Airlines is an industry leader whose vision and disciplined approach to growth has made it one of the largest airlines in the world," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. "American is the first carrier in the United States to order the 777-300ER. These new airplanes will complement their large fleet of 777-200ERs offering additional flexibility in serving the nonstop routes, while providing increased efficiency and reliability."

The Boeing 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market.

"These additional wide-body aircraft will bolster our network strategy, particularly the international growth opportunities we expect from our joint businesses with oneworld® partners in the transatlantic and transpacific markets," said Tom Horton, President, AMR Corp., the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle. "We value the combination of size, range and performance of the 777-300ER, as well as the extensive customer amenities it offers. The seating capability of the aircraft will give us growth flexibility in slot-constrained airports and provide us with greater ability to serve new long-haul markets."

The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world's most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane.

Boeing incorporated several performance enhancements for the 777-300ER, extending its range and payload capabilities. Excellent performance during flight testing, combined with engine efficiency improvements and design changes that reduce drag and airplane weight, contributed to the increased capability.

I guess everybody is scrambling to paint AA livery on POSKY 777-300ERs. As for me, I still prefer 777-200LRs.  Since EL AL had canceled the paid order of 5 pieces of 777-200ERs telling Boeing to hold paid money while evaluating 777-200LR, 777-300ER, and 747-8, I am guessing EL AL will go for 777-300ERs too.


Aharon

[mhockey21]

Does El Al really need the capacity the 777-300ER provides?  Seems like the 747 would provide the capacity that they need.

[FL050]

mhockey21, on Jan 21 2011, 01:16 PM, said:

Does El Al really need the capacity the 777-300ER provides?  Seems like the 747 would provide the capacity that they need.

Capacity? Yes, but you're also running 2 more engines than a 777.

[mhockey21]

From what I understand the 747-8i is supposed to be 5%-10% more efficient than the 777-300ER.  The 747-8i uses the smaller more efficient 787 engine than the large GE90.

[Independence76]

Hope to see these around DFW sometime.


I was not expecting AA to ever go for the 773.

[Aharon]

Independence76, on Jan 21 2011, 04:50 PM, said:

I was not expecting AA to ever go for the 773.

Yep  me too  Now the interesting question is which route would AA plan to use 773ERs for? My guess is Pacific rim routes. Anybody can make good guess?

Aharon

[pieterjan456]

I'm looking forward to the AA livery on the 300ER!

[AmericanAirFan]

pieterjan456, on Jan 22 2011, 11:31 AM, said:

I'm looking forward to the AA livery on the 300ER!

Me too! Something new worth spotting!

[Romario_]

This is going to be incredible! The 773's look really stretched

When's the delivery date?

--- "American says the planes are expected to be delivered in late 2012."



EDIT: FOUND OUT

Edited by Romario_, 22 January 2011 - 01:27 PM.

[-747-]

mhockey21, on Jan 21 2011, 02:06 PM, said:

From what I understand the 747-8i is supposed to be 5%-10% more efficient than the 777-300ER.  The 747-8i uses the smaller more efficient 787 engine than the large GE90.

More engines = higher maintenence costs.

[FL050]

mhockey21, on Jan 21 2011, 03:06 PM, said:

From what I understand the 747-8i is supposed to be 5%-10% more efficient than the 777-300ER.  The 747-8i uses the smaller more efficient 787 engine than the large GE90.

More efficient in what though?  Per seat mile? Over what distance and payload? What airports?  

You have to be very skeptical when people make a broad sweeping statement of efficiency, as every airplane in the world has its' own niche in the market to fill.

[shamupilot]

This should be an excellent addition to the fleet.

[divemaster08]

I guess AA is the first US airline with the B77W with monster engines but Delta was the first US airline with monster engines with their B77L's.


I expect that we shall see more orders for the B77W from AA shortly...... 2 is just not enough to be beneficial to the airline fully.

[niteye]

What is this thing with monster engines, is that a real engine model name?

[_TW_]

No, I think Aharon started calling GE90's monster engines and for some odd reason the term has become mainstream on these forums.

[Ziggles]

AA still sucks in my opinion. When you sit in their economy product, your knees touch your face cause there is no leg room...

I say they just want the 773 for DOUBLE THE CAPACITY

[Independence76]

Ziggles, on Jan 24 2011, 08:32 PM, said:

AA still sucks in my opinion. When you sit in their economy product, your knees touch your face cause there is no leg room...

I say they just want the 773 for DOUBLE THE CAPACITY

I had plenty more legroom in AA 777 coach than in the Lufthansa A330 I flew to Frankfurt last year.  

[divemaster08]

Um i don't think AA are that bad in the Seat pitch.....

They have 32" of seat pitch for their Y product which is above what the other US airlines give you on their 777 products. Only US airline that matches them is DL and they have a mixture of 31-32" seats in the back.

So actually AA have a better product than most of the US airlines, and match the majority of the other big carriers (BA, AF, VA, LH,) so i cant see how you can put that against AA.

[LA_PHX]

divemaster08, on Jan 24 2011, 08:07 PM, said:

so i cant see how you can put that against AA.

You can when you are used to flying JetBlue who gives you 34" in regular coach and 38" in their EML seats.

After flying JetBlue for most of my recent flights, flying on any airline that offers less seat pitch and no entertainment on a flight longer than 2 hours seams like torture.

[Ziggles]

Sorry I didn't state this at first but when I refer to the economy product, im taking about the whole experience. Maybe I cant speak for their 777 but I flew AA to Chile from Miami on one of their 767's and it was terrible. I think in general that AA is a lousy airline. The cabin was dirty, bad flight attendants, cramped seats. I don't think legroom is everything, because none of the seats had high headrests so you can't really lay back in them. Granted it was an older plane but they should still make an effort to refresh the cabin. Since AA is in an alliance with LAN, I flew on one of LANs 767s on the way back and the difference was incredible. For one the seats had personal screens (which I think is a must for flights longer than 7 hours), laying back allowed you to comfortably put your feet below the seet infront of you so you can stretch, the service was much better, and I was relaxed when I got off the plane. Now I don't think blaming just AA is right since to be honest, most major carriers economy seats blow. But having been on BA, SAS, AF, their seats I think are a lot better. But like i mentioned, The service is also what makes a difference.

Edited by Ziggles, 24 January 2011 - 10:25 PM.