Boeing completes longest non-stop flight
A Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, the world’s longest range commercial aircraft, completed the longest non-stop flight on record, 23 hours from Hong Kong, flying eastbound over North America to London Heathrow.
The aircraft took off with a full load of fuel and 35 passengers and crew, including four pilots, and landed just after 13.00 GMT, some 25 minutes ahead of schedule, after the 13,442-mile flight.
Unlike the 300 passengers who will be carried when the aircraft enters commercial service in early 2006, each of Boeing’s guests has a bed and room to exercise.
Representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records at Heathrow certified it as the longest flight in record, covering nearly half the distance around the world.
The ultra-long flight was made possible primarily by three auxiliary fuel tanks that will be available options on production -200LR aircraft and fuel-efficient General Electric GE90-115B engines.
Boeing has been engaged in fierce competition with Airbus over the market for very long-range jets. Both companies believe that there is growing demand for non-stop flights halfway around the globe.
Singapore Airlines currently operates the world’s longest commercial route, using an Airbus A340-500 to fly 18 hours from Singapore to New York.
But most airlines doubt whether enough people will be prepared to sit on an aircraft for 20 hours for the sake of saving three.
Only two, Pakistan International and Eva Air, have so far bought the long-range 777, ordering five between them.
Phil Davies
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