WASHINGTON : US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has hurled a fresh challenge at European rival Airbus, rolling out its first B-777-200LR, which it says is the world's longest-range commercial plane.
"This amazing airplane will connect virtually any two cities in the world with non-stop service," Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Alan Mulally said as the aircraft was unveiled at Boeing facilities in Everett in the western state of Washington on Tuesday.
The 777-200LR extends the range of the 777 family by more than 1,500 nautical miles (2,7875 kilometers) and allows for non-stop service between such cities as New York and Singapore and Los Angeles-Dubai, Boeing said.
It can carry 301 passengers up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,466 kilometers).
The first flight of the Worldliner, as the craft is to be called, is scheduled for early March, which will be followed by a seven-month test program that will include 300 hours of ground tests and 500 hours in the air.
The first 777-200LR is to be delivered to Pakistan Internatinal Airlines in January 2006.
The aircraft will compete with several planes in the Airbus A340 family, notably those used by Singapore Airlines on direct New York-Singapore flights.
- AFP