Airlines

British Airways orders 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, plus 24 options

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British Airways (BA) parent company International Airlines Group (IAG) has ordered 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft – plus 24 options – which will be used to upgrade the BA fleet.

They will be used to replace 14 Boeing 747-400 and four Boeing 777-200 between 2022 and 2025. Each aircraft will be fitted with 325 seats in four cabins.

The commitment with Boeing is, valued at up to $18.6 billion at list prices, will be reflected on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website once it is finalised. The US aircraft manufacturer refers the 777-9 to as the 777X.

British Airways’ 777-9 will be powered by General Electric GE9X engines. The engine order includes a comprehensive maintenance package with GE.

IAG chief executive, Willie Walsh said: “The new B777-9 is the world’s most fuel efficient longhaul aircraft and will bring many benefits to British Airways’ fleet. It’s the ideal replacement for the Boeing 747 and its size and range will be an excellent fit for the airline’s existing network.

“This aircraft will provide further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits with fuel cost per seat improvements of 30 per cent compared to the Boeing 747. It also provides an enhanced passenger experience”.

BA has 135 wide-bodied long-haul aircraft in its fleet (12 A380s, 30 B787s, 12 B777-300ERs, 46 B777-200s and 35 B747s) with 12 more B787s, four B777-300ERs and 18 A350s on order.

BA has been modernising its fleet – one of the largest in the airline industry – to more efficiently serve its extensive global route network.

The US aircraft manufacturer refers the 777-9 to as the 777X. It said this order puts the 777X at 358 orders and commitments from eight customers. Production of the 777X began in 2017, with first flight planned for this year and first delivery expected in 2020.

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