OREANDA-NEWS. March 16, 2011. "Aeroflot – Russian Airlines" and "Boeing" (NYSE: BA) signed an agreement on the order of six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (extended range) and two Boeing 777-200ERs, reported the press-centre of Aeroflot.

 "These aircraft will significantly enhance our strategic capacities in the development of our route network, - says Vitaly Savelyev, Director-General of JSC ‘Aeroflot’. - We intend to use Boeing 777s on both our traditional routes and new ones, in particular, to Cancun, Sanyu, Ho Chi Minh city, Guangzhou, Mumbai, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, San Francisco, and Singapore. Also, we plan to use these aircraft together with our SkyTeam alliance partners for serving international flights during the Olympic Games in Sochi in 2014 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The optimal combination of cabin dimensions, flight range, and operational characteristics of Boeing 777 are of special importance for us, as well as the variety of onboard means to ensure the comfortable flight. Owing to the high capacity of Boeing 777s, we get new options for enhancing our activities in airports with limitations on slots and open new routes on the long-range transportation marketplace."

Boeing 777 is the world’s most successful two-engine long-range aircraft. A Boeing 777 airplane can carry 300 to 400 passengers for a distance of over 14,000 km. Boeing 777 is a universal suite of models that are very popular both among passengers and airlines worldwide. Boeing 777 was designed with consideration for the requirements of customers and preferences of passengers. The aircraft features high fuel efficiency, a spacious cabin, long flight range, unification, and reliability. Boeing 777 has the largest range and payload in the segment of medium-size aircraft and, in addition, lower operation costs.

Russia is an important partner of the 777 program. VSMPO-AVISMA, part of ‘Rostekhnologiya’ state concern, manufactures titanium parts of wheel train, wings, and piers of 777 aircraft. Russian engineers and programmers employed by the Boeing design center in Moscow were actively involved in the design of the 777-300 ER model.

 "Aeroflot is one of the most innovative and rapidly growing airlines, says Jim Albau, president and executive director of ‘Boeing Commercial Airplanes’. - The Boeing 777 family features the ratio of payload and range, economic efficiency and comfort that are required to Aeroflot to fulfill ambitious goals of attaining high growth indicators, profitability, and service levels corresponding to the world’s highest standards. We appreciate this important order made by Aeroflot."

Boeing 777s have been ordered by nine of 13 SkyTeam alliance members. In total, SkyTeam airlines have ordered 161 Boeing 777s.

Owing to the "Signature Interior" style of cabin, spacious armchairs, wide aisles, large overhead volume, and flexible layout of seats that meet the requirements of the most demanding premium-segment passengers, for three years running, Boeing 777 has been winning the "Leading Edge" award in the "Best aircraft for frequently flying business passengers" category, which was established by the Executive Travel magazine.