It’s fair to say that the aviation industry has changed quite a bit since 1995 when the Boeing 777 was introduced. Back then, jurassic DC-10s and 747-100s still plied the skies. Over the past 30 years, the classic jumbo jets were slowly replaced by 747-400s, 757, 767s, 777s, and the A380. Then COVID-19 happened and the ‘modern’ twins of 757s, 767s along with the A340s and many A380s were sidelined.
Now, the Boeing 777 turns 30 years old. The venerable jet continues to be a mainstay of airline fleets globally.
If there is one thing that is certain, change in the aviation industry is a constant. That’s why as avgeeks it can be fun to look back into old commercial debuts of popular aircraft, including a jet that made twin-engined international flights the norm.
United Introduced the Boeing 777 in 1995 to Great Fanfare
The Boeing 777 was one of the most impressive development cycles of a major airliner program ever. Built entirely with computer aided design (CAD), the airliner set a new standard for aircraft development in both speed and quality.
The 777 program was the first airliner to utilize the giant GE90 engine which permitted DC-10, A340, and MD-11 capacity and range with only two engines.
United Airlines was the launch customer for the 777-200. The airline (along with other customers) partnered with Boeing to influence the development of the new twin-engined airliner. The airliner was Boeing’s first fly-by-wire jet and the first twin-engined airliner that was certified with 180 minute ETOPS right from day one.
It featured passenger comforts like large overhead bins, personal TVs, and upgraded first class accommodations. The jet itself was built to be more reliable with onboard diagnostics, improved avionics, and lighter structure which translated into lower fuel costs relative to competing jets.
United’s First Commercial Featured Bigfoot?
United Airlines highly touted their new Boeing. The 777 would allow the airline to replace their aging DC-10 fleet and could comfortably connect routes from Chicago to Europe. As the launch customer, they featured the new jet heavily in advertisements.
One of their first commercials was humorous, if a bit odd. It featured Sasquatch–the fabled bigfoot-like character of lore from in the Pacific Northwest. In the commercial Sasquatch spotted the new Boeing 777 and took a self guided tour of the new jet. He even poured himself some champagne as he made himself at home in the giant aircraft.
Boeing 777’s Legacy Still Being Written
The lighthearted ad by United captured the 777’s appeal—a DC-10 sized jet that felt like a luxury jet, even to a mythical forest creature.
Thirty years later, the Triple Seven continues to be Boeing’s last commercial reveal that wasn’t plagued by controversy. It was both a testament to Boeing’s engineering first culture back then and a sad fact that shows how many challenges that Boeing has faced since.
To date, 1,729 Boeing 777s have been delivered, with around 1,400 still in service across 62 airlines, hauling passengers and cargo from Dubai to Dallas. Emirates leads the pack with 148, mostly 777-300ERs, while United still flies some of the originals.
The oldest active 777, United’s N774UA, a -200 registered in July 1994, is 31 years young, still logging flights with nearly 100,000 hours.
Meanwhile, the next generation, the 777X, is stuck in a holding pattern. Engine woes and structural hiccups have pushed its debut to 2026, six years late, leaving carriers like Lufthansa waiting for their fleet. When the new 777x fleet finally does arrive, with GE9X engines and folding wingtips, it’ll carry on a legacy that started with Bigfoot and made two-engined intercontinental jet travel commonplace.
BONUS: Video of a United 777 Proving Flight
Flight attendant Steve Scott filmed a proving flight for the Boeing 777 just one week before United’s first official flight on June 7, 1995. Check out the video linked below!
