The Boeing 777 is a heavyweight of long-haul flying, with the US manufacturer having delivered more than 1,700 examples. There is considerable excitement surrounding the next-generation 777X, which will see the 'triple-seven' remain a familiar sight for years to come, but at the other end of the spectrum, what about the oldest passenger-carrying examples? Let's look at where these can be found.

777-200

According to data from ch-aviation.com, the oldest active example of the Boeing 777-200, and indeed the most senior of any remaining triple-seven worldwide, is a United Airlines jet that bears the registration N774UA. This twin-engine widebody is 29.12 years old and has racked up 98,765 flight hours across 18,347 cycles.

Impressively, this aircraft was just the second 777 ever to roll off the production line, and it made its first flight all the way back in July 1994. Its delivery to United occurred just under two years later, in March 1996. The airline has configured it with 336 economy (of which 102 have extra legroom) and 28 business class seats.

777-200ER

Moving on to the 'Extended Range' 777-200ER variant, the oldest active example of this type can presently be found at British Airways. Registered as G-VIIA, it is one of 43 777-200ERs operated by the UK flag carrier, and its age clocks in at 26.9 years old. It was among the first 50 777s built, with a serial number of 41.

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A British Airways Boeing 777-200ER Landing At London Heathrow Airport.
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock

This aircraft, which sports a four-class configuration that can accommodate a grand total of 235 passengers, has been rather busy since its delivery to British Airways back in July of 1997. Indeed, data from ch-aviation shows that, as of its last measurement in May 2023, it had flown 108,566 flight hours across 15,824 cycles.

777-200LR

The 'Long Range' Boeing 777-200LR was a rarer model than the two we have examined thus far, with just 61 examples produced. Nonetheless, 43 of these twinjets remain active today at nine different operators. The oldest of these is Air Canada's 300-seat C-FIUA, which clocks in at a comparatively young 16.2 years old. Its average sector length comes to more than 10 hours.

777-300

The larger Boeing 777-300 was even less of a commercial hit than the aforementioned 777-200LR, with Boeing only ever building 60 examples of the type. Subsequently, it is even more of a rarity today, with only 25 active -300s left at seven carriers. Cathay Pacific's B-HNF is the oldest, with the two-class 438-seat widebody clocking in at 25.81 years old. Its serial number is 102.

777-300ER

Despite the original 777-300's lack of commercial success, Boeing did much better with the 'Extended Range' 777-300ER model. Indeed, with 832 deliveries to date, as per the company's data, the type accounts for almost half of its all-time 777 production. 714 examples of the type remain active today at 44 different airlines.

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A Japan Airlines Boeing 777-300ER Taxiing In Los Angeles.
Photo: Markus Mainka/Shutterstock.

Japan Airlines flies the oldest active example of the 777-300ER, which comes in the form of a 20.5-year-old twinjet with the registration JA732J. The carrier ordered it in March 2000, and after making its first flight in February 2003, the aircraft joined the Japanese flag carrier in July 2004. It has 244 seats in four classes.

What is the oldest Boeing 777 that you've flown on? Are you a big fan of the triple-seven? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comment section.

Sources: Boeing, ch-aviation.com

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