EgyptAir has taken delivery of the first Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) commercial jetliner to join the airline’s fleet.
The Egyptian flag carrier is leasing the new 777-300ER from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) and will take an additional five 777-300ERs on lease from GECAS through the second quarter of 2011 to continue upgrading its long-haul service.
EgyptAir’s Boeing fleet already includes five Boeing 777-200ERs, five 737-500s and 12 737-800s, with another eight 737-800s on order directly from Boeing. The airline also operates 13 Airbus A320s, four A321-200s, seven A330-200s and three A340-200s (which it is about to retire) and has eight A330-300s on order.
“This delivery is a substantial milestone in the history of EgyptAir. We will continue to bring the latest to our customers who deserve the best of everything. This is a continuation of the long term partnership with Boeing,” says Hussein Massoud, chairman of EgyptAir Holding Company.
EgyptAir is adding substantially to its long-haul fleet by taking six Boeing 777-300ERs on lease from GE Capital Aviation Services. Boeing delivered EgyptAir's first 777-300ER to the airline on March 9, 2010 and EgyptAir is due to receive all six by the second quarter of 2011. The carrier also has eight Airbus A330-300s on order, directly from Airbus
“The 777-200ER has always been one of the strongest performers in our fleet for fuel efficiency and reliability. The 777-300ER’s additional improvements in fuel efficiency and seat-mile costs will directly benefit our bottom line,” says EgyptAir Airlines Chairman Capt. Alaa Ashour. “The 777-300ER is an important part of our fleet modernization and growth plans to achieve greater profitability.”
EgyptAir’s new 777-300ER has 346 seats, including 49 lie-flat beds with 78-inch seat pitch, plus an in-seat entertainment system throughout the cabin. A member of the Star Alliance, EgyptAir will operate its 777-300ERs on routes to London, Tokyo and North America.
Related to this story:
- EgyptAir Receives Its 50th Boeing Jet
- TAAG Angola Receives Its First Boeing 777-300ER
- Air New Zealand Receives Its First Boeing 777-300ER
- Philippine Air Lines Receives its First Boeing 777-300ER
- EgyptAir Replaces Two-777 Order with Eight-737 Deal
