PAL Takes the Record for the Longest Non-Stop 777-300ER Flight

Philippine Airlines (PAL) typically operates its Manila-New York-Manila flights using the Airbus A350-900. However, due to a limited number of A350s remaining in the fleet, PAL has been utilizing the powerful Boeing 777-300ER to handle some of these direct flights between Manila and New York. With a total distance of 13,712 km using the great circle distance, PAL now holds the record for operating the longest non-stop scheduled passenger Boeing 777-300ER flight in the world, as of this writing.

According to data from Flightradar24, PR127 New York JFK to Manila, which occasionally employs the airline’s 777-300ER, has an average flight time of 16 hours and 20 seconds. The flight route passes over the polar region and through Russian airspace enroute to Manila, making it the longest scheduled non-stop passenger flight operated by a Boeing 777-300ER as of this writing.

Demonstrating the 777-300ER Capabilities

This is not the first time that PAL has maximized the capabilities of the Boeing 777-300ER. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, PAL conducted a non-stop repatriation flight from Manila to Miami using one of its 777-300ERs. Although the outbound leg from Manila did not carry any passengers, the return flight with passengers required a stopover in Los Angeles before continuing to Manila.

The Boeing 777-300ER’s impressive performance as a long-range, heavy-duty aircraft is evident in these examples. PAL’s 777-300ER accommodates 370 passengers in a two-class configuration, showcasing the aircraft’s remarkable power and capacity. This demonstrates the potential of the Boeing 777-300ER to efficiently cover vast distances and meet the needs of airlines in today’s globalized world.

The Boeing 777-300ER

The Boeing 777-300ER, with “ER” standing for Extended Range, has been a game-changer in the aviation industry. Its impressive range, fuel efficiency, and capacity have made it a popular choice among airlines, driving the sales of the 777 series past its competitors, the Airbus A330/340. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the features and performance of the 777-300ER and its impact on the industry.

The 777-300ER is powered by the GE90-115B turbofan, the world’s most powerful jet engine, with a maximum thrust of 115,300 lbf (513 kN). The aircraft’s wings feature raked and extended wingtips, while its fuselage, wings, and main landing gear have all been strengthened. The aspect ratio of its wings is 9.0. Through flight testing and subsequent aerodynamic refinements, the 777-300ER has achieved a 1.4% reduction in fuel burn.

Impressive Range and Fuel Efficiency

Boasting a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and increased fuel capacity, the 777-300ER can travel an incredible 7,370 nautical miles (13,650 km) while carrying 396 passengers in a two-class seating arrangement. Its operating empty weight is 371,600 lb (168.6 t). At a cruising speed of Mach 0.839 (495 kn; 916 km/h), the aircraft burns 17,300 lb (7.8 t) of fuel per hour. This fuel efficiency gives the -300ER a competitive edge over the Airbus A340-600 and A350-1000.

The 777-300ER has been a significant driver of sales for the twinjet, surpassing the rival A330/340 series. Its fuel efficiency provides an 8–9% operating cost advantage over the A340-600. Many airlines have chosen the -300ER as a replacement for the 747-400 due to its 20% lower fuel consumption. As of 2015, the aircraft had an operating cost of US$44 per seat hour, compared to the Airbus A380’s US$50 and the Boeing 747-400’s US$90.

Since its launch, the 777-300ER has become the best-selling variant of the 777 series. The first -300ER was delivered to Air France on April 29, 2004. As of 2018, there were 784 Boeing 777-300ERs in service, with 810 deliveries to 45 different customers and 34 unfilled orders as of 2019.