772LR world record flight today!! HKG-LHR eastbound!

[ConcordeBoy]

from our boy Mike/Hamlet at Orders and A.net:

Today the 777-200LR will be making it's attempt at setting a world
record for it's size and class, flying Hong Kong to London,
EASTBOUND. The flight is expected to last approximately 23 hours, and
cover over 11,000nm.

However, what I found most interesting in the press release from
Boeing was who will be onboard: pilots from both PIA, and (surprise
surprise) Singapore Airlines!

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...r_051108h.html

[Crunk415balla]

Thats cool.

[N9103M]

My ass hurts just thinking about that!

[DAL767-400ER]

Geez, I wonder what SQ pilots are doing on that flight . Can't wait to see this flight land after it's record flight, though I'm willing to bet German news sources likely won't even mention it.

[FlyingPhotog]

So they're taking the longer route just to prove they can?

[CathayPacific]

A news report on a Hong Kong newspaper's immediate news site:

一架波音777飛機由本港國際機場起飛，展開全球最長商業客機的飛行旅程，預計23小時後抵達倫敦。

該架波音777-200LR飛機於本港時間晚上10時30分由本港赤角機場起飛，將飛越北美，再抵達英國倫敦，創造最長的商業客機飛行時間。機上有35人，包括航空公司職員、記者及機組人員。


Translation:

A Boeing 777 aircraft has departed from Hong Kong International Airport, starting the flight to break the longest distance flying by a commercial aircraft. The flight will last 23 hours before it lands in London.

The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft has taken off at 22:30 from HKG. It will overfly North America before reaching London. There are 35 people on the plane, incl. employees from airlines, journalists and the flight crew.

[JordanD]

I can imagine that if airlines open up routes this long that inexperienced travellers will start to go crazy in the air.

[Triple7]

Go Boeing !

[chrisburns]

Its a publicity flight, I have a feeling that some Qantas officials might be on this flight. They did this the long way to show that if it can do this, it can make SYD-LHR-SYD

[MaxPower]

I can imagine that if airlines open up routes this long that inexperienced travellers will start to go crazy in the air.

That would totally suck to be in a flight that long. I was would be on such a long flight, I would use my time anyway to wander around (Just a health issue)

So they're taking the longer route just to prove they can?

The longer the better, good stuff for the media and Boeing itself. !!!

Go Boeing !

Right on sister !! This is something we'd like to know . Great news.

But seriously 23 hours... Holy magoozy .....!!!

[wannabepilot777]

Welcome to the new age. No longer can you fly hub to hub and not do any work because "you were flying". With this plane and connection by Boeing (which is already on some airlines such as SAS and LUF) the time in tranist is shortened and the employee can be productive during the time. What a mixed blessing.

[scramjet]

I can imagine that if airlines open up routes this long that inexperienced travellers will start to go crazy in the air.

Not if someone creates a new SST or HST.

[rinoltz]

Very Cool.

Just a long shot here, but would anyone know what info to enter in order to track the flight? Provided I have not brainfarted here and the flight is about over anyway. I use airnav 6.3 so I have alot of flexability with it.

Thanks,

Rinoltz

[herpa2003]

Very Cool.

Just a long shot here, but would anyone know what info to enter in order to track the flight? Provided I have not brainfarted here and the flight is about over anyway. I use airnav 6.3 so I have alot of flexability with it.

Thanks,

Rinoltz

Not sure about airnav, but if you go to www.777.newairplane.com , click on "go the distance" and then click on "world record flight" it tracks the flight for you...

The aircraft is currently 3,377 miles out of HKG, flying eastward over the Pacific.

[CathayPacific]

Looks like it's doing a direct eastbound (over mid-Pacific) routing instead of the normal north Pacific routing (over Japan and Alaska) towards North America?

Starting the flight from HKG is an interesting choice. Wonder if there are any CX people on board.

Current location: