Boeing ultra-long-range jet certified

The era of direct flights that span the globe is here.

Boeing's newest ultra-long-range airplane, the 777-200LR — capable of connecting almost any two cities on Earth — is now certified to fly in scheduled passenger service. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will take delivery of the first jet later this month.

Until now, the Airbus A340-500 has had a monopoly on the ultra-long-range jet niche. Following a successful six-month flight-test program, U.S. and European aviation authorities presented formal certification to Boeing Thursday at a ceremony at the Museum of Flight.

In November, the airplane set a new long-distance record, flying 13,422 miles east from Hong Kong to London in just under 23 hours.

In scheduled service, the airplane can carry 301 passengers up to 9,966 miles. PIA plans to fly the new airplane nonstop between Pakistan and the U.S.

One key market for the jet is Australia.

In December, Australian flagship carrier Qantas decided to postpone a decision on buying the 777-200LR. Qantas Chief Executive Geoff Dixon said the airplane could make Sydney-London direct flights only at a reduced capacity, making it economically nonviable.

In a teleconference with journalists Thursday, Boeing vice president and 777 program manager Lars Andersen said Boeing is still in discussions with Qantas.

Even without the Sydney-London route, he said, "It's still a great airplane for going from Sydney to the U.S."

While the 777-300ER can fly from Australia to the West Coast, the 200LR will be able to fly nonstop to New York.

Air Canada, which also has ordered the 200LR, filed last week for authority to fly from Toronto to Sydney beginning next year — increasing pressure on Qantas to have a competitive aircraft.

Another key sales prospect is Singapore Airlines, which is considering swapping out its Airbus A340-500s for 777-200LRs. That would switch to Boeing the longest-range scheduled service in the world, Singapore-New York in a little more than 18 hours.

Boeing has orders for 29 of the 777-200LR passenger model from five airlines. It is also developing a freighter version, for which there are 23 orders. The freighter model won't be certified and delivered until 2008.

Dominic Gates: 206-464-2963 or dgates@seattletimes.com