=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/n/a/2006/02/02/financial/= f152244S28.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, February 2, 2006 (AP) Boeing Jet Certified to Carry Passengers (02-02) 16:58 PST SEATTLE, (AP) -- U.S. and European authorities have certified Boeing Co.'s longest-range jetliner to begin flying airline passengers worldwide, the company said Thursday. The announcement came after the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency formally recognized that the 777-200LR completed testing and met safety requirements during its six-month flight-test program. The Worldliner, as Boeing calls its latest 777, broke the world record f= or the longest nonstop flight by a commercial jet in November. It flew 13,422 miles from Hong Kong to London, a flight that took 22 hours and 43 minutes. The old record was set in 1989, when a Boeing 747-300 flew 10,500 miles from London to Sydney, Australia. During flight testing, two 777-200LRs completed 886 flight hours on 328 flights, and 318 ground-test hours. The first 777-200LR is to be delivered to Pakistan International Airlines later this month. Boeing spokesman Chuck Cadena said the second one — the plane that made the record-breaking flight — is scheduled to be delivered sometime in the first quarter. The twin-aisle jet is designed to carry 301 passengers up to 10,840 mile= s. The competing Airbus A340-500 has a flight range of about 9,980 miles, according to model specifications listed on the company's Web site. The 777-200LR has some of the same features as the extended-range 777-300ER, including raked wingtips, which reduce drag. It's designed to carry more weight at takeoff and handle a higher engine thrust, and can accommodate up to three additional fuel tanks, which will allow it to fly farther. Boeing has received 29 orders for the 777-200LR from five airlines, including Taiwan carrier EVA Airways, Dubai-based Emirates Airlines, Air Canada and Air India. -----------------------------------------------------= ----------------- Copyright 2006 AP