Saturday, November 20, 2010

Ethiopian Airlines commemces 777 service

Ethiopian Airlines put its first Boeing 777-260/LR (40770/900) ET-ANN into service yesterday when ETH501 departed Washington Dulles (IAD/KIAD) at 01:05 EST bound for Bole Internatioanl Airport (ADD/HAAB) in Addis Ababa.

The jet is the first of five ordered by Ethiopian Airlines, which says it plans to use the 777s on its Washington-Addis Ababa route as well as "on other new long-haul, nonstop routes, such as Beijing." The carrier plans to celebrate its launch of the 777 at Dulles tonight prior to the jet's departure.

Boeing Milestone

Ethiopian's first 777 is the 900th of the type delivered by Boeing, according to The News Tribune of Tacoma. The paper describes the 777 as "the world's most popular twin-engine, long-range jetliner," adding "the 777 delivered to Ethiopian -200/LR version of the twin-aisle aircraft. The 777-200LR is the world's longest range airliner. The -200/LR is capable of flying more than 10,800 miles nonstop."

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Boeing's "777 program delivered its 900th aircraft faster than any other twin-aisle airplane in history," according to Boeing. The manufacturer has netted a total of 1,165 777 orders from 61 customers."


(Ben Mutzabaugh - US Today in the Sky)

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