Boeing is reportedly considering development of an update for its ultra long range 777-200LR, tentatively dubbed the 777-8LX, which could potentially operate between Sydney and London nonstop.
The -8LX would join a troika of aircraft in the conceptual 777X family. It would feature a roughly 15 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the current -300ER and yet have a range of 9480nm (17,550km), slightly greater than today’s 777-200LR.
The -8LX could enter service sometime in the 2020s, Flightglobal reported, citing unnamed sources. Boeing declined to discuss details of concept aircrafts.
Boeing formally established a 777X concept development program in January 2010. The -8LX would be a lower priority than replacements for the more popular 777-200ER and -300ER, which would compete with the Airbus A350-900 and -1000, Flightglobal reported.
