Quantcast

Boeing’s widebody jet offers higher passenger capacity than competing Airbus model

European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Boeing’s widebody jet offers higher passenger capacity than competing Airbus model
Policy
Webp a3
CEO Kelly Ortberg | Boeing

In the long-haul commercial aviation sector, aircraft capacity and operational efficiency are key factors influencing airline strategies. Boeing's 777-300ER, introduced in 2004, has become a significant player in this space by offering a combination of high passenger capacity and extended range.

The Boeing 777-300ER was developed as an upgrade to the standard 777-300. It features General Electric GE90-115B engines, which produce up to 115,000 pounds of thrust each—the most powerful turbofan engines built for commercial use. These engines enable the aircraft to carry heavier payloads over longer distances while maintaining reliability. Structural enhancements such as reinforced landing gear, increased maximum takeoff weight, and raked wingtips contribute to improved aerodynamic efficiency and fuel performance.

With a cabin width exceeding 5.8 meters (19 feet), airlines can configure economy cabins with up to ten seats per row. Standard three-class configurations typically accommodate between 350 and 400 passengers, while denser two-class layouts can exceed 450 seats. Emirates operates some of its 777-300ERs with 354 seats across three classes; KLM and Air France have versions seating between 380 and 408 passengers. The design allows flexibility for airlines to adjust interiors based on market demand or business models.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

While higher seat density increases revenue potential for airlines, it often results in narrower seat widths for passengers—a point that has received criticism from some travelers. However, the ability to transport more passengers per flight remains attractive for carriers serving high-demand routes.

The aircraft's maximum range is about 7,370 nautical miles (13,650 kilometers), allowing nonstop flights between major global cities such as Dubai and Los Angeles or Singapore and Frankfurt. Its operational reliability frequently exceeds a dispatch rate of 99%, making it suitable for demanding airline schedules.

When compared with its primary competitor—the Airbus A350-1000—the Boeing model stands out mainly in terms of passenger capacity. While both aircraft offer similar lengths and wingspans, the A350-1000 typically carries between 350 and 369 passengers in standard layouts but does not match the highest capacities achievable by the Boeing jet. The A350-1000 incorporates advanced composite materials for reduced weight and better fuel efficiency but generally cannot accommodate as many passengers without major configuration changes.

Since entering service, more than 800 units of the Boeing 777-300ER have been delivered globally. Over forty-five airlines operate this model worldwide; Emirates is its largest customer alongside other major operators such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air France, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific.

The introduction of the twin-engine widebody allowed many airlines to retire older four-engine jets like the Boeing 747 while maintaining profitability on long-haul routes due to improved fuel efficiency per seat and lower operating costs.

As newer models like the Airbus A350-1000 focus on material advancements for greater efficiency—and with Boeing preparing its next-generation widebody offerings—many airlines continue using the reliable and high-capacity 777-300ER well into future years because of its proven track record in both performance and versatility.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group, Inc. has announced its Employees of the Month at its LAV facility.

Oct 28, 2025

Flying Food Group's San Francisco facility recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with its employees.

Oct 28, 2025

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of a new route connecting Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.

Oct 27, 2025

United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, which includes new flights from Newark to Bari, Split, Santiago de Compostela, and Glasgow, as well as from Newark to Seoul and Washington, D.C., to Reykjavik.

Oct 27, 2025

Ethiopian Airlines has announced a limited-time 20% discount on fares between Addis Ababa and Porto.

Oct 27, 2025

Avianca has announced that passengers are encouraged to register for the Biomig biometric migration system to avoid lines and delays at participating airports in Colombia.

Oct 27, 2025