Air India Takes First 777-200LR, Readies New York Nonstops

posted: 27 July 2007 04:10 pm ET

Air India has taken delivery of its first 777-200LR (Longer Range) Worldliner jet.

The aircraft is the first 777 from Air India's order of 68 Boeing jetliners. The airline will receive an additional three 777-200LRs and three 777-300ER (Extended Range) widebodies this year.

Mumbai, India-based Air India's order for 68 Boeing jetliners, placed in December 2005, was the largest commercial airplane order in India's civil aviation history.

The order consisted of 23 777s, including eight 777-200LR Worldliners and 15 777-300ERs; and 27 787-8 Dreamliners.

Additionally, Air India Express, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, ordered 18 Boeing 737-800s.

Air India will use this 777-200LR to become the first India-based operator to offer nonstop flights between the United States and India. It begins service to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport from Mumbai on Aug. 1.

Four days later, on Aug. 5, competitor Indian carrier Jet Airways will begin serving Newark Liberty International Airport from Mumbai on a one-stop basis via Brussels, with 777-300ERs. Using Brussels as a mini-hub, Jet Airways plans to serve several North American destinations from at least four Indian cities, including New Delhi.

Pakistan International Airways was the first airline to take delivery of a Boeing 777-200LR.