Article from BTNews 4 MARCH 2019
BA orders up to 42 B777s
A firm order for 18 Boeing B777-9 aircraft plus 24 options was placed last week by International Airlines Group (IAG) for British Airways. They will be used to replace 14 Boeing B747-400s and four Boeing B777-200s between 2022 and 2025.
IAG said each of the new aircraft (below) will be fitted with 325 seats in four cabins and powered by General Electric GE9X engines, with the engine order including a comprehensive maintenance package with GE.
IAG CEO Willie Walsh said: “The new B777-9 is the world’s most fuel efficient long-haul aircraft and will bring many benefits to BA’s fleet. It’s the ideal replacement for the B747 and its size and range will be an excellent fit for BA’s existing network.
“This aircraft will provide further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits with fuel cost per seat improvements of 30% compared to the Boeing 747. It also provides an enhanced passenger experience”.
BA has 135 wide-body 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.
IAG chief financial officer Enrique Dupuy de Lôme said the group had negotiated a “substantial” discount from the B777-9 list price and had “a range of financing options” from which to choose.
(See also IAG shrugs off fuel rise in this issue).
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Edward Harrison, YEOVIL
Going to be an interesting aircraft with folding wingtips.