Twin engine transition: 777 Freighter fleet overtakes 747 |
The Boeing 777 Freighter becomes the world’s most widely operated widebody freighter, surpassing the iconic 747.
For decades, the ‘Queen of the Skies’ was synonymous with air cargo as the dominant option for long-haul transportation. Beginning with the delivery of the first 747-200 Freighter in 1972, Boeing 747 freighters set the standard for global air cargo, an industry that supports global trade and commerce by providing fast and dependable transportation for high-value goods. Each successive model delivered performance improvements, culminating in the 747-8 Freighter.
Following recent deliveries, the 777 Freighter fleet has overtaken the in-service fleet of 747 freighters of all types to become the most widely operated freighter in the world today.
Now, the 777F has picked up that baton – both in usage and reputation – as the new industry standard.
Why it matters: As the in service 777F fleet surpasses 330 aircraft, the fleet now carries more air cargo per year than any other type of freighter.
- Due to its high utilization on long-haul routes, the industry-leading 777F fleet provides around 40% of global freighter capacity.
- Last year, the value of global trade carried by the 777F fleet was estimated to be around $4 trillion, according to Boeing.
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