The 777-300ER program was launched in the year 2000 with an order for ten aircraft from Air France. On February 24, 2003, the -300ER took off for its maiden flight, and it was certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) on March 16, 2004. Air France received its first aircraft on April 29, 2004.
The 777-300ER combined the 777-300's stretched fuselage with the 777-200LR's larger wing. That resulted in room for more seats and extra range compared to the original 777-300 version.
The 777-300ER became the top-selling 777-variant. It became popular as a successor to the 747 Jumbo Jet in the fleets of many international airlines and it swept the competing four-engined Airbus A340-600 out of the market, because aircraft with two engines are more economical to operate than airplanes with four.
As of late June 2014 Boeing had sold a total of 1750 777s, of which 721 are 777-300ERs (that excludes the recent orders announced at Farnborough). The 500 777-300ERs built are operated by 37 customers around the world. Emirates is by far the biggest customer and the only airline to fly all operational 777-variants
As of July 2014 Emirates operates 3 777-200s, 6 777-200ERs, 10 777-200LRs, 12 777-300s and 97 777-300ERs. The cargo fleet comprises 10 777Fs. The airline has ordered the 777-8X and 777-9X.
During the next few years Boeing has to convince airlines to buy more 777-300ERs to keep the production line running until the much more modern 777-9X aircraft are ready for service in 2020. Many airlines will prefer the -9X, which consumes 12 per cent less fuel. That seems a good reason to wait. The 777-300ER reached the 500-milestone in a shorter time than any other widebody jet so far. The 787 Dreamliner, however, seems a candidate to do this even faster than in ten years.
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