An overview of the latest long-range freighter from Boeing and its users.
Regarding the newest and eagerly anticipated 777 family airliner from Boeing, we’ve issued a number of progress reports. However, it is not surprising that much of the attention has been placed on the 777-8 and 777-9 passenger planes rather than the freighter version of the 777-8, which is a rival to the A350F and is most likely to replace aging 747Fs. So what changes are occurring with Boeing’s upcoming long-range freighter?
Details and Comparisons
Boeing’s 777-8F aims to offer the biggest payload in its class thanks to the 777F program’s achievements and lessons learnt during the development of the 777X. The 777X freighter will be able to carry 118.2 tonnes, which is an increase of 11 tonnes over the 777F and 109 tonnes more than the A350F. Boeing also claims that its new cargo airliner will have the lowest operating costs per tonne, the most fuel-efficient design of its kind, and the fewest CO2 emissions in its class. The A350F has an approximately 300 NM advantage over Boeing’s newest model in terms of range, which can reach 4,700 NM (8,700 km) with maximum cargo.
The 777-8 and 777-8F have identical lengths of 232.5 ft (70.86 m) and wingspans of 235 feet, 5 in (71.75 m), respectively, according to Boeing’s website. The aircraft, which can accommodate 690 f3 (19.5 m3) main deck pallets and 415 f3 (11.8 m3) lower hold pallets, is 64 feet (19.5 m) tall vertically and is built to work smoothly with their prior 777 freighters. Although the cargo doors on both 777 freighters are the same size, the longer 777-8F can accommodate an additional four main-deck pallets and three lower-deck pallets.
Who made the purchases?
Numerous well-known cargo operators have already placed orders for the 777-8F, which is scheduled to make its maiden delivery in 2027. Boeing stated that Qatar Airways was the first 777-8F client in a purchase agreement for 34 aircraft and options for 16 more in a statement dated January 31, 2022, where the firm formally announced the aircraft’s launch. This incident began in 2019, when the CEO of the renowned airline, Akbar Al Baker, said, “And so it was done.”
The most well-known airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines, then agreed to buy five Boeing 777-8F planes in March 2022 after signing a Memorandum of Understanding. They now operate a cargo fleet of a few 737-800 freighters and a 767 that has been converted after purchasing numerous 777Fs in the past. The Lufthansa Group purchased seven 777-8Fs in May 2022, making it the first European customer. While waiting for the much-anticipated 777X version to arrive, they also bought a few 777Fs to aid with capacity.
The agreement for ten aircraft with options for an additional six was completed by Cargolux, the flag carrier cargo airline of Luxembourg, later in 2022. At the Farnborough International Airshow, Cargolux will replace its aged fleet of 747-400F aircraft with a Boeing 777-8F, as previously reported.
All Nippon Airways (ANA), with delivery anticipated for 2028, changed two of its 777F orders into 777-8Fs toward the end of the previous year. Nine 767Fs and two 777Fs make up the cargo fleet now flown by the national airline of Japan, albeit one 767 is currently undergoing maintenance. Two of Boeing’s newest freighters were ordered by Silk Way West Airlines, a sizable Azerbaijani cargo carrier, and are scheduled to be delivered in 2029 to 2030. With this agreement, their fleet will eventually grow to 21 aircraft, including five 777-200Fs and two A350Fs in addition to the seven 747-400Fs and five 747-8Fs that are presently in service.
