Ethiopian Airlines and the Boeing 777-200LR - A Winning Combination - 27 August, 2010
Ethiopian Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet, including the 737, 757, 767, MD11 Freighter and one 747 Cargo aircraft. In addition, Ethiopian Airlines was the first airline in Africa to order the 787 Dreamliner. Ethiopian’s vision of the future includes five 777-200LRs and ten 787s, as well as 12 Airbus 350s, all of which will significantly enhance its network expansion and generate more revenue.
The 777-200LR entered service in March 2006, and has the capability to connect virtually any two cities in the world nonstop. It carries more passengers and more revenue cargo farther than any other jetliner. The 777-200LR will enable Ethiopian Airlines to connect Addis Ababa to the U.S. and to more destinations in Asia—nonstop. The 777-200LR can carry a full cargo load on routes where other airplanes are limited. This will give Ethiopian the capability to carry the same number of passengers farther, and with additional revenue-generating cargo. Ethiopian’s 777-200LRs are configured to carry a total of 321 passengers—34 in Business Class, and 287 in Economy.
Approximately 35 percent of the 777-200LR’s design has been changed from earlier 777 models. New value-added technology has been added to make the world’s most technologically advanced airplane even more high-tech. Each wing has been extended by 6.5 feet by adding raked wingtips to improve overall aerodynamic and fuel efficiency. The raked wingtips will help reduce takeoff field length, increase climb performance and reduce fuel burn.
Ethiopian Airlines 777-200LR will be powered by the General Electric GE90-115BL engine, the world’s largest and most powerful commercial jet engine. The combination of the airframe and engine will contribute to substantial savings in fuel burn for Ethiopian Airlines.
Leading the continent in its environmental stewardship, Ethiopian Airlines is currently promoting its “green” initiative to plant a tree for every passenger carried. This concern for the planet fits in well with the benefits to the environment that the aircraft provides. Thanks to a new wing, more efficient engine, and a lighter structure, the 777 makes efficient use of fuel. This, in turn, means lower emissions per passenger seat. For every pound of fuel conserved, three fewer pounds of carbon dioxide are generated. The bottom line is that fuel efficiency is not only good for economics, it’s good for the environment.
Ethiopian Airlines’ 777-200LR will feature the award-winning Boeing Signature Interior, which is the most spacious passenger cabin ever designed. In a recent worldwide survey conducted by Executive Travel magazine, and targeted at premium passengers, the 777 ranked #1 as the most preferred aircraft for that target audience. Passengers flying on the new aircraft will benefit from large overhead compartments which increase stowage capacity. Outboard, as well as center stowage bins are designed to open downward for convenient loading. When closed, the stowage units fit neatly into the streamlined contours of the interior architecture to allow ample overhead clearance.
Not only will passengers enjoy the onboard ambience and service of Ethiopian Airlines’ new 777-200LR aircraft, the crew will also benefit from the overhead crew and attendant rest areas in the fuselage crown above the passenger cabin. Most airplanes have crew rest areas either in the passenger cabin or in the cargo compartment. By moving crew and attendant quarters off the main deck, Ethiopian can free as many as four-to-seven revenue passenger seats. Alternatively, using overhead crew rest areas frees up room for additional capacity in the cargo compartment.
For improved, more efficient in-flight service, the 777-200LR is equipped with an advanced cabin management system that is linked to a computerized control console. The cabin management system assists cabin crew with many tasks and will allow Ethiopian Airlines to provide new services for passengers, including a digital sound system comparable to most state-of-the-art home stereo or disc players. The state of the art in-flight entertainment system fitted on the aircraft will enable the airline to offer its passengers audio & video entertainment on demand (AVOD) which gives the customer the luxury of playing an audio or video of their choice from the start anytime during the flight as opposed to the broadcast system where passengers will have to wait for the movie to begin. This is in addition to giving customers more choice movies as well as audios. For the avid reader, who would like to catch up with new publications while on the air, there will be channels dedicated to audio books of different categories.
Ethiopian Airlines will take two of its 777-200LRs before the end of 2010. This aircraft, with its many passenger-pleasing features, ultra-long-range, favorable economics and environmental benefits, will enable Ethiopian Airlines to continue its leadership position in Africa and beyond. Ethiopian’s New Spirit of Africa and the 777-200LR—a winning combination.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. With the recent addition of flight services to Pointe Noire, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 39 cities in Africa and a total of 59 international destinations spanning throughout four continents.
Ethiopian won the NEPAD Transport Infrastructure Excellence Awards 2009 on November 25, 2009 and "Airline of the Year" award from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) on November 24, 2009, bringing the total Awards honored since January 2009 to five.
In August, 2008, Ethiopian won "the 2008 Corporate Achievement Award” of Aviation & Allied Business for setting the pace towards the development and growth of the African aviation industry.
Ethiopian is also the first African carrier to win the 2008 Brussels Airport Company Award in recognition of its distinguished long haul operations witnessed through the introduction of new routes, new products, and close cooperation with Brussels Airport in marketing activities.
Ethiopian was the winner of the ‘2008 Best Airline in Africa Award’ at the African Travel Award ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.
