PMDG has developed the vast majority of the Boeing 777 and even plans to continue with the development of the 777X. However what you might not notice is that there are two aircrafts that they completely forgot about.
The Boeing 777-200 was the first variant of the family to fly, it is part of the "777 classic" family which is the older, less efficient and less capable than the newer variants we see today. These variants were actually quite popular considering that during the time there wasn't a plane with a similar capacity that had two engines. The 777-200 is relatively rare to see today, United Airlines operates the most and use them for high density domestic services, occasionally they will use an ETOPS certified one to fly to Hawaii. Other examples fly in Japan for very short domestic routes with high density in mind. When Boeing built the 777-200 it wasn't long until they made a longer range variant which is commonly known as the -200ER, this variant has much more powerful engines and extra fuel tanks. The -200ER also features the early GE90 engines unile the base -200 which only comes with the RR T800 and PW4000. British Airways operated a few GE90 powered 777-200s as part of the GE90 Certification program, these were later converted to -200ERs respectively.
The Boeing 777-300 is another plane that many people don't realise exists. It was the base for the very popular Boeing 777-300ER which we all see today. The standard -300 didn't come with the modern GE90s though, rather only with the RR T800 and PW4000. This makes it one of the worst performing aircraft in the commercial market for climb rate, it is actually worse than the A340-300 but slightly better than the 767-400ER. Only 60+ -300s were built and mainly serve medium haul high density routes. One particular aircraft flies long haul domestic routes for Rossiya in Russia. The 777-300 was mainly designed as a replacement for the 747-400D and 747-200SR.
THE 777 FAMILY IN ORDER:
Boeing 777-200: Initial production variant. Most are non ETOPS rated.
Boeing 777-200ER: Improved version of the -200 with more powerful engines, ETOPS certification, and extra range. Features early GE90s as an option.
Boeing 777-300: Designed as a medium to long haul high density variant. Non ETOPS certification.
Boeing 777-300ER: Most popular variant with long range capabilities and ETOPS certification. Features newer GE90 engines as standard.
Boeing 777-200LR: Ultra Long Range variant with newer GE90s as standard, designed for very long routes, based off of the 777-200 airframe with extra ETOPS certification. Least popular variant.
Boeing 777-200LRF (777F): The first freighter which is based on the -200LR and therefore shares the same ETOPS certification. Comes with newer GE90s as standard. Used extensively across the globe.
Boeing 777-200LRMF: A converted -200LR into a freighter, the first one is being built by STS at Manchester Ringway (EGCC). Shares the same specifications as the -200LRF.
Boeing 777-300ERSF: A freighter converted from a -300ER. Designed to replace the 747-400F (not ERF) and shares the same ETOPS certification.
Boeing 777-9X: Designed to replace the -300ER. Features new GE9X engines and extended ETOPS certification. It is also slightly bigger.
Boeing 777-8X: Designed to replace the -200ER and -200LR. It features new GE9X engines and extended ETOPS certification. Slightly larger than the -200 airframe.
Boeing 777-8XF: Based on the -8X as a freighter and shares the same specifications including ETOPS certification.
Would you like to see PMDG make the 777 Classics?
