Round-the-World Flights

Boeing 777 Flies Round-the-World

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777 First Flight	Boeing 777-2H6ER	Super Ranger Logo	#4	#5

	Boeing wanted to design an aircraft to replace the aging DC-10's and L-1011's that 
would fit between its 767 and 747 models.  Initially Boeing named its new aircraft design 
the 767-X.  It enlisted the help from both airlines and subcontractors to assist in the 
design using a "Working Together" program.  The developing computer design became the 
Boeing 777.  Manufacture began on October 29, 1990 two weeks after United Airlines had 
placed its order for 34 aircraft with an option for an additional 34 planes.
	The first twin jet engine 777 was completed on April 9, 1994 and at that time, there 
were 147 planes on order with an option for an additional 108 planes from 15 different 
airlines.  The first flight of the 777 was on June 12, 1994 followed by an extensive eleven 
month flight test program.  The first 777 (N777UA) was delivered to United Airlines on 
May 15, 1995 with their first revenue flight flown on June 7, 1995 between London (Heathrow) 
and Washington (Dulles). 
	Boeing continued advancing the design of the 777 and on September 3, 1996 rolled out 
its first 777-200/ER aircraft.  On October 7, 1996 the 777-200/ER made its first flight.  
Less than a year later on April 1, 1997 Boeing flew a 777-2H6/ER (9M-MRA) in Malaysian 
Airline colors non-stop 12,457 miles from Boeing Field in Seattle eastward to Kuala Lumpur, 
Malaysia in 21H 23M.  This broke the "Great Circle Distance Without Landing" record for an 
airliner.  Continuing the great circle circumnavigation round-the-world returning to Boeing 
Field, this aircraft set a new world speed record for the fastest round-the-world flight by 
a commercial airliner.  Total flight time round-the-world was 41H 59M over a distance of 
23,210 miles.  
	Subsequently, Malaysian Airlines named this round-the-world aircraft its "Super Ranger."
It now carries a special logo on the outside of its cockpit.	
	On March 6, 2000 American Airlines flew a 777-223/ER (N777AN) non-stop from O'Hare 
Airport in Chicago to Hong Kong over the North Pole.  It returned to the US on March 8, 2000 
marking the first nonstop flight between Hong Kong and Dallas, Texas.  Boeing continued to 
launch longer range versions of the 777 called the 777-200/LR and 777-300/ER.
	The 777 was also the first commercial aircraft to be designed 100% by computer. 
No paper drawings had to be produced as everything was created on a 3D CAD software system 
known as CATIA.  This allowed a virtual 777 to be assembled in cyberspace, allowing engineers 
to examine for interferences, and to test if the many thousands of parts would fit together 
properly before costly physical prototypes were manufactured.

Itinerary: 
Departed Seattle, WA                    04/01/97	
	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Arrived Seattle, WA                     04/03/97      	

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