Aircraft
Boeing’s New ETOPS Offering Brings Asia Closer to the Rest of the World
Air New Zealand completed the first 240 ETOPS flight  late last year with a Los Angeles-to-Auckland-bound 777-300ER.
Air New Zealand completed the first 240 ETOPS flight late last year with a Los Angeles-to-Auckland-bound 777-300ER.

Boeing expects the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue approval for Rolls-Royce-powered 777s to fly 330-minute ETOPS missions by the end of the first quarter, followed by authorization for Pratt & Whitney-powered airplanes some time near the end of the year, according to 777 vice president and chief project engineer Bob Whittington. In December the company gained approval for operators of 777-300ERs, 777-200LRs, 777 Freighters and 777-200ERs powered by General Electric GE90 engines to fly up to 330 minutes from an alternate airport, allowing for more direct routes, less fuel burn and a reduction in CO2 emissions–particularly over the vast expanse of the South Pacific and on polar routes from Asia to North America and Western Europe.