Many consider the 777-200LR, 777-300ER, and 777F, which had substantial improvements compared to the "classics," to be a second generation for the type. The 777X, with even more changes and a new naming scheme, is the third generation.
The original 777-200 was never incredibly popular in the first place. Today, United Airlines operates nineteen out of twenty-one 777-200s currently in service worldwide; All Nippon Airways owns just two. In total, only eighty- eight 777-200s were ever produced.
While nearly all Boeing 777-200s have been retired globally or scrapped due to their age or lack of demand during COVID times but United continues to operate a substantial fleet of this type. These aircraft are some of aviation's oldest examples still flying commercially today and will likely be retired by decade's end. According to ch-aviation data reports that three will celebrate their thirtieth birthday this year:
- N774UA - Line number two
- N768UA - Line number eleven
- N769UA - Line number twelve
N774UA is United's oldest Boeing 777. Manufactured in late '94 but delivered mid-'95 as their ninth unit received despite being only second built overall; it turns thirty-one years old next year making it world's eldest still flying! Cathay Pacific took delivery on B-HNL after testing finished on line #1 built; retired since '18 now displayed at Pima Air & Space Museum Tucson AZ USA!
N768UA delivered shortly after May'95 following first-ever commercial flight operated London Heathrow-Washington Dulles same month! Financial struggles saw some sold-off early-mid noughties downsizing efforts though majority remains w/ current post-merger livery adopting Continental visual branding elements post- United Continental Airlines merger retaining virtually unchanged design dating back pre-'91 titles swapped accordingly!
N769UA sister ship built alongside delivered days apart June'95 sporting newest updated paint job today! Classic Trijet options included GE90 PW4000 Trent800; latter proved most successful variant while newer exclusive GE90 variants took over second-gen models roles eventually!
Today these elder statesmen primarily serve domestic routes within US configured high-density layouts maximizing capacity short-haul sectors hub-spoke connections leisure markets e.g., Cancun Hawaii etc., occasionally stretching legs longer inter-island hops perfect fitting popular low-yielding destinations manageable durations suited capabilities ideally!
As time ticks towards inevitable retirement replacements loom large orders placed modern efficient Dreamliners Airbus A350s awaiting fulfillment signaling sunset approaching classic era yet assuring continued presence significant numbers younger contemporaries former Continental slightly newer additions remaining steadfastly skies years come concluding chapter illustrious legacy ongoing story unfolding ahead!
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