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Boeing
has delivered to Air France the first Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplane that includes enhancements
that improve the overall fuel efficiency of the 777-300ER by 1.4%. This amount is in addition to the 2% fuel-burn improvement already proven in revenue
service by the airlines that operate the 777-300ER.
A 1.4% improvement in fuel efficiency on this airplane equates to an annual jet-fuel savings of approximately 200,000 gallons (757,000 liters).
"With fuel prices skyrocketing, we are excited that we were able to enhance the 777-300ER jetliner so it burns less fuel," said Lars Andersen, vice president for Boeing's
777 program. "Boeing took the initiative to make these changes based on discussions we had with our customers. I'm pleased that our largest 777-300ER operator, Air
France, who was instrumental in working together with Boeing to help us make the airplane a reality, is the first to receive this new and improved 777-300ER."
The 1.4% additional improvement in fuel efficiency was brought about by a number of factors:
-
GE Aircraft Engines modified its powerful GE90-115B engines.
- Boeing engineers reduced the airplane's drag by modifying the airplane's vortex generators and its air induction systems for the environmental control systems.
- Engineers also incorporated several weight-reduction improvements to the airplane's internal structure, including lighter weight environmental control-system ducts
and main-deck floor panels.
All future 777-300ERs delivered to customers will include these enhancements, and Boeing has plans to incorporate these changes into the 27 777-300ERs currently in
service.
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