Boeing · Widebody · In Production

Boeing 777-300ER

Boeing 777-300ER

Acroterion — CC BY-SA 4.0

The Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) is a long-range widebody twinjet airliner that has served as a backbone of international commercial aviation. Developed as a higher-weight, extended-range evolution of the baseline 777-300, the variant successfully combined high passenger capacity with the ability to operate intercontinental routes previously dominated by four-engine aircraft like the Boeing 747.

Powered by twin General Electric GE90-115B engines—the world's most powerful commercial turbofans—the aircraft established a dominant market presence for long-haul fleet deployment among major network carriers. Its signature design traits include raked wingtips, a semi-levered six-wheel main landing gear bogie, and an elongated fuselage capable of handling dense trunk routes efficiently.

By The Numbers

The Boeing 777-300ER stands as the most successful widebody variant in commercial aviation history, concluding its production run with 833 delivered aircraft. First entering service with Air France in 2004, the stretched, long-range twinjet became the cornerstone of intercontinental travel, effectively replacing older four-engine types like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340 on high-density trunk routes. Aside from a tiny handful of unfulfilled legacy backlog items, manufacturing at Boeing's Everett plant has wrapped up, with the final aircraft shipments concluding the program's two-decade run.

The type has been heavily concentrated in the fleets of mega-carriers across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Emirates anchors the user base by far as the world's largest operator of the Triple Seven family, alongside major commitments from global players like Qatar Airways, Air France, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines. While North American carriers purchased the variant more sparingly—primarily United Airlines and American Airlines—the aircraft remains a ubiquitous sight on heavy long-haul international corridors worldwide.

Manufacturing

Where It's Built

Final assembly of the Boeing 777-300ER takes place at Boeing's Everett Factory in Washington State, utilizing dedicated widebody production lines. Major structural and systems responsibilities are distributed globally among tier-one risk-sharing partners and suppliers. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries manufacture fuselage panels, while Fuji Heavy Industries produces the center wing section. Externally sourced control surfaces include elevators built by Hawker de Havilland and rudders produced by Aerospace Technologies of Australia. Avionics and flight management architectures, including the Airplane Information Management System (AIMS), are supplied by Honeywell.

Notable Operators

EmiratesAir FranceCathay PacificUnited Airlines

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Safety Record

Notable Safety History

Official investigations into operational incidents involving mechanical or systemic factors have yielded specific airworthiness mandates for the type. Notably, following an accident involving fuel flow restriction caused by ice crystal accretion within the fuel feed system (as investigated by the AAIB regarding British Airways Flight 38), engineering changes were mandated for the fuel-oil heat exchangers on applicable engine options to prevent similar restrictions. Additional routine airworthiness directives issued by the FAA and EASA govern structural inspections and maintenance limitations, such as repetitive checks for upper wing skin cracking and main landing gear support fitting integrity.

Covers officially investigated accidents only, per aviation safety authorities (NTSB, FAA, EASA, AAIB or equivalent).

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Sources & Further Reading