Boeing 777-300ER Marianne French Airlines

In 1989, after a lot of design, R&D and planning, Boeing officially announced the 777, and started offering the product to airlines. This plane was an all new, clean sheet design, to rival the upcoming Airbus A330/A340, and McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The 777 was huge; The largest twin engine airliner in the world, already approaching the capacity of the 747-400. For the first time, airlines were included in the design process of the aircraft, telling the manufacturer what they wanted from the new aircraft.

Being one of these airlines, Marianne French Airlines had a big say in many of the specifications of the original aircraft. They had been a long time Boeing customer, and were very loyal to the company. They had requested features such as a glass cockpit and full fly-by-wire, keeping the flight deck as much in common with the 747-400 and 767 as possible, and a capacity in between those aircraft as well. When the 777 was officially announced and the order books opened, Marianne French Airlines placed an early order for 25 planes, making them one of the first European customers.

When the first 777-200 touched down at Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport on 17 February, 1996, onlookers were amazed, not just by the size of the aircraft, but also the engines; The General Electric GE90s selected for the aircraft dwarfed the engines on any other aircraft in the fleet. Then, a few days later, on 20th February, the first 777, F-LIDS, took off on its maiden flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Boston Logan. The flight was an immediate success, and Boston bacame the aircraft's first regular destination.

Then, in 2000, Boeing announced that the 777-200 and 777-300 would both be getting second generation models, which had longer range than the first generation (-200, -200ER, -300). These new models became known as the 777-200LR and 777-300ER. With the success of the first generation 777-200 and -200ER, Marianne French Airlines was overjoyed at the launch of the new aircraft, and placed orders for 14 of each variant. The first 777-300ER was delivered to the airline in July 2004, making it both the European launch customer and the second customer in the world for the new aircraft. The 777-200ER, 777-200LR and 777-300ER have worked side by side ever since, even though the basic 777-200 was retired in 2013.

Shown above is F-LIFM, one of the airline's many 777-300ERs, in the 2009- livery. Although the original order consisted of 14 units, the airline would eventually acquire a total of 36 777-300ERs throughout its operational history, many of which are still in service today. The airline is considering the 777X to replace the 777-300ER and the A340 fleet, but the A350 (both the -900 and -1000) is more likely to be selected.

Here is the revised 2009 livery. A330 will be updated soon.

Adam, if you think the logo placement is too similar to NEA, please let me know, and I will change it.

Also, leave feedback! Any and all feedback helps (but preferably constructive).