On Feb. 19, Boeing celebrated the delivery of the company's first 777 Freighter to launch customer Air France in a ceremony at the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour near Paine Field. The contractual delivery and airplane departure are scheduled for Feb. 20.

"Our new Boeing 777 Freighter will operate very well with our 747-400ER Freighters," said Air France Executive Vice President for New Aircraft & Corporate Fleet Planning Pierre Vellay. "Also, we will benefit from the airplane's commonality with our proven 777 passenger fleet and improve our cargo efficiency to help us through the current economic difficulties."

Providing cargo capacity normally associated with larger airplanes, the 777 Freighter can fly 4,880 nautical miles (9,038 kilometers) with a full payload of 226,700 pounds (103 metric tons). The new airplane is expected to progressively replace the 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) in the Air France Cargo fleet. Air France currently operates five 747-400ER Freighters and four 747-400BCFs.

"The 777 Freighter uses less fuel per cargo tonne than any freighter operating," said Aldo Basile, vice president, Sales, Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the 777F, Air France also will experience the lowest maintenance costs and the lowest trip costs of any large freighter, as well as outstanding environmental performance."

The 777 Freighter is the world's longest-range freighter and features the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, with high cargo density and 10-foot (3.1-meter) interior height capability that complement the popular 747 Freighter family.

"The 777 Freighter provides a new level of cargo economics, with low tonne-kilometer costs to help cargo airlines in the current environment," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the Boeing 777 Program. "The 777 Freighter is a great example of Boeing's commitment to continuously improve the 777 family to deliver top value to owners and operators."

The 777 Freighter is powered by General Electric's GE90-110B1L and meets QC2 noise standards.

Air France Cargo also was the first operator of the 747-400ER Freighter.

Twelve customers have ordered a total of 73 777 Freighters.

Photograph: Boeing and Air France commemorated the delivery of the first 777 Freighter with a ribbon cutting at the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour near Paine Field on Feb. 19, 2009. Pictured left to right are: Aldo Basile, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales vice president, Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Pierre Vellay, Air France executive vice president for New Aircraft & Corporate Fleet Planning, and Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the Boeing 777 Program.