Boeing Concludes 777-300ER Production, Altavair Receives Final Delivery
Boeing has ceased production of its popular 777-300ER widebody aircraft, with the final unit delivered to Altavair LP in December 2024. This marks the end of a nearly two-decade manufacturing run for a key long-haul aircraft type.
Boeing 777-300ER Production Concludes
Boeing has ceased production of its 777-300ER widebody aircraft, with the final unit delivered in December 2024 to aircraft finance company Altavair LP, according to Simple Flying. This delivery concludes a nearly two-decade manufacturing run for what Boeing states is the best-selling widebody airliner family in history. The 777-300ER variant alone saw 833 deliveries, comprising a significant portion of the 1,781 total 777 family aircraft delivered and 2,457 ordered globally, Simple Flying reports.
A Long-Haul Workhorse
Introduced commercially by Air France in 2004, the 777-300ER distinguished itself with an extended range of 7,370 nautical miles and superior fuel efficiency, making it popular for long-haul routes. It featured updated systems and was initially powered by the General Electric GE90-115B turbofan, then the most powerful commercial jet engine available. China Eastern Airlines notably used the type for what Islands described as the world's longest direct one-stop flight. Its stretched fuselage, over 33 feet longer than the 777-200, permitted high passenger capacity, optimising airline profitability.
Phased Out for Next Generation
Production of the 777-300ER gradually decreased as Boeing shifted focus to the 777X. Only one unit was produced in 2024, the Altavair delivery, which had originally been ordered by China Southern Airlines but was stored for five years due to COVID-19 related slowdowns, Simple Flying confirms. Prior to this, the last deliveries occurred in 2022, when Thai Airways received three aircraft, according to Air Data News. An outstanding order for five 777-300ERs from Pakistan International Airlines, pending for 13 years by May 2025, was also not fulfilled, cementing the Altavair delivery as the final one.
Implications for Global Aviation
The conclusion of 777-300ER production marks a transition for airlines reliant on its long-haul capabilities, as the industry moves towards the next generation of widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 777X. Carriers currently operating the 777-300ER will continue to do so, but new acquisitions will shift towards newer models like the 777X or Airbus A350. This development means airlines planning fleet modernisation will assess these next-generation aircraft for their future long-distance operational requirements, potentially impacting route planning and capacity decisions in the coming years.
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