First 777F For Air France Rolls Out
November 20th, 2008
The first Boeing 777 Freighter destined for delivery to launch customer Air France is due to roll out of the hangar at Everett in the small hours of November 20th, 2008.
This is the third 777F built and will not take part in the certification efforts. Boeing cites the recent IAM strike as the key reason for the delay to delivery in early 2009, having been the one key Boeing program to have stayed on track and on target since the model first flew in mid-July 2008.
Around two-thirds of the planned certification goals have been met, and despite the setback, Boeing remains confident of the first delivery being achieved sooner rather than later.
Image courtesy of Matt Cawby
“The 777 is the mainstay of our long-haul fleet and elemental to our success and future growth plans. We look forward to further integration of this exceptional airplane when Air France takes delivery of the world’s first 777 Freighter,” says Pierre Vellay, senior vice president of New Aircraft and Corporate Fleet Planning for Air France.
Air France has orders and options for up to eight 777F’s.
The 777 Freighter will be capable of flying 4,885 nautical miles (9,045 km) with a full payload and general cargo market densities, making it the world’s longest-range twin-engine freighter. The airplane’s range capability will translate into significant savings for cargo operators: fewer stops and associated landing fees, less congestion at transfer hubs, lower cargo handling costs and shorter cargo delivery times.
The 777 Freighter will feature capacity never seen before on a twin-engine freighter, accommodating 27 standard pallets (96 in x 125 in; 2.5 m x 3 m) on the main deck. The industry-standard 10-foot-high (3.1 m) pallets will be accommodated by the large main deck cargo door that will make use of the airplane’s volume capability. The lower cargo hold has the capacity for 10 pallets, as well as 600 cubic feet (17.0 cubic meters) of additional bulk cargo. (Source: Boeing)
China Southern Airlines
is due to take delivery of the fourth 777F and Emirates SkyCargo is due to receive the fifth 777F in early 2009.
Entry Filed under: Aeroplane, Aerospace, Air France, Airplanes, Aviation, Boeing, Boeing 777, Boeing 777F
8 Comments Add your own
1. Jet Blast | November 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Some destinations Air France will fly the 777F to include Shanghai, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Mexico City and Houston.
You claim that AF has up to ten 777Fs on order or option. The original order included five firm with three option. Where are you getting the extra two frames from?
2. Jacobin777 | November 20th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
What’s going to be interesting is what AF will choose in between the B787 and A350 down the road. Given the massive B777 fleet as well as the fact GE isn’t on board the A350 program, its going to be quite interesting…
Now if Boeing can increase efficiency on the B77W/B77F, its going to be a VERY difficult plane to beat.
3. FleetBuzz Editorial.com | November 20th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Jet Blast - my bad, it is 8 frames, not ten.
Mixed up with another order. Now corrected
4. Jet Blast | November 20th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Well, darn! I know AF has eight 747-200Fs and the 777Fs will replace those aircraft. I was hoping that I missed an additional order for two more frames.
5. mike j | November 22nd, 2008 at 8:48 am
At least SOMETHING is going right.
Just a guess, the 777F might even become 777T instead of 767T, but who knows when or if.
Have yet to see what the new Prez does, with new Con-gress…
If Boeing is already anouncing layoffs at Witchita (military side), maybe that is a sign of military budget-cuts?
Maybe this is also why the stock-price keeps dropping? (more guessing based on all the campaign promises of all the candidates who won)…
6. Aurora | November 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
mike j: “Maybe this is also why the stock-price keeps dropping? ”
I suggest you take a look at the broader markets. Also, check EAD.PA. Boeing’s stock price isn’t an isolated phenomenon.
The sad thing is, that without the strike, it could have been one of the winners in a very (very, very) bad market.
7. Shamrock104 | November 23rd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
The first freighter to be delivered will be F-GUOC i think, the first two built are OA and OB.
With regards to destinations Jet Blast , i have heard that it will also fly to DUB (EIDW) .Replacing the B744 BCF that is used on the ORD-DUB route on saturdays.
8. Mike | November 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Aaah, the queen of the freighters, the 777F.
Well hung GEnx ponies to boot…..can’t beat ‘em.
Love that AF color scheme on the tail instead of bent red white and blue squiggles!
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