The Boeing 777-300 is a stretched version of the original 777-200, making it one of the longest aircraft in the world. It's a large, wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner designed for high-density, long-range routes, primarily serving busy intercontinental city pairs.
Here are some key characteristics:
- Length: Its most distinguishing feature is its impressive length, stretching to 73.9 meters (242 ft 4 in). This makes it significantly longer than the 777-200 and allows for greater passenger and cargo capacity.
- Capacity: Typically seats between 368 and 550 passengers, depending on the airline's configuration, making it a high-capacity aircraft.
- Engines: Like the -200, it's powered by two massive turbofan engines (Pratt & Whitney PW4000, General Electric GE90, or Rolls-Royce Trent 800 series).
- Range: The standard 777-300 has a good range of approximately 6,000 nautical miles (11,120 km). A more common and popular version is the 777-300ER (Extended Range), which significantly extends this to over 7,370 nautical miles (13,650 km), enabling ultra-long-haul flights.
- Speed: Cruising speed is around Mach 0.84 (about 560 mph or 900 km/h).
- Key Features: Due to its length, the 777-300 often features a tail skid to prevent tail strikes during takeoff. It shares the same advanced glass cockpit and fly-by-wire controls as other 777 variants, offering excellent operational commonality within the family. It's renowned for its efficiency, reliability, and spacious cabin, which can be configured for premium comfort or high-density travel.
The 777-300, and especially the 777-300ER, became a flagship aircraft for many major airlines, proving immensely popular for its combination of very high passenger capacity and long-range capability, effectively bridging the gap between smaller wide-bodies and the superjumbo 747. It remains a cornerstone of long-haul fleets worldwide.
