The 777-300 and its extended-range version, the 777-300ER, are the biggest variants of the Boeing 777. Prior to the 777X, these aircraft were the biggest passenger twinjet aircraft Boeing supplied to carriers. Simple Flying now examines the two variants to determine their differences.
The Boeing 777 series includes a number of wide-body twinjet airliners lauded for their superior performance and passenger comfort. With recent upgrades, the aircraft is favoured by many airlines seeking to increase revenue and reduce expenses while continuing to provide passengers with an exceptional experience. The 777X program will eventually replace the 777-300ER.
Boeing 777-300 versus Boeing 777-300ER
It is impossible to compare the seat maps of the Boeing 777-300 with the Boeing 777-300er seat map without discussing their specs in depth. Despite the fact that the 777-300ER covers a greater distance (as indicated by the ER abbreviation, which stands for “extended range”) than the 777-200LR, there are also differences in the aircraft’s construction.
The two aircraft have comparable specifications, but the 777-300ER has a larger wingspan. Length, passenger capacity, height, fuselage width, etc. are identical between the 777-300 and the -300ER. The 777-300ER has a length of 73.9 meters (242 ft 4 in), a wingspan of 64.8 meters (212 ft 7 in), and a height of 18.5 meters (59 ft 11) (60 ft 8 in). However, the 777-300’s wingspan is 60.9 meters (or around 200 ft).
The range is obviously one of the most significant differences between the 777-300 and the 777-300ER. The 777-300 has a range of about 5,845 NM (10,845 km), albeit this varies. The 777-300 is not designed for long-distance flights, therefore a bigger aircraft or other engines might reduce its range.
The range of the 777-300ER is 7,370 nautical miles or 13,649 kilometers. This is a really comprehensive selection. Moreover, this aircraft is meant for long-distance travel, which makes it rather unique. A trip of 6,000 nautical miles is a breeze for the aircraft, however, the 777-300 may have problems reaching its destination.
Why the 777-300ER is preferable for many airlines?
Most airlines dislike operating wide-body aircraft on short-haul routes. In the United States and Europe, where the 777-300 was not a best-seller, it is not as prevalent as it is in East Asia, where it is a common aircraft. Instead, the 777-300ER proved to be the more popular aircraft.
The 777-300ER is suited for long-distance flights, which is why airlines choose widebodies. It is not always cost-effective or simple to load wide-body aircraft flying on domestic or short-haul routes.
Emirates, which has a large fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, operates these planes all over the world, on both short and long routes. Other airlines, such as British Airways and United Airlines, utilise the 777-300ER almost exclusively for long-distance routes.
As a twinjet, the aircraft is much less expensive to operate than bigger aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. Despite having just two engines, the 777-300ER does not inherently reduce capacity. Aero Mongolia, for instance, can accommodate up to 450 people on certain of its 777-300ERs. In a four-class configuration, American Airlines can carry up to 304 people. On its two-class 777-300ERs, Emirates can accommodate up to 442 people, while its three-class aircraft can accommodate 354, 358, or 364 passengers.
