Boeing

China Southern Airlines, based in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China, has become the first airline to operate the Boeing 777 on transpacific service. The China Southern 777-200 IGW landed yesterday at Los Angeles International Airport, after completing the 7,800 statue mile route from Guangzhou.

"China Southern is once again playing a leadership role as a pioneer in the aviation development of Asia," said Chet Ekstrand, Boeing Vice President at celebration ceremonies today in Los Angeles.

The Boeing 777-200 IGW is the newest member of the 777 family of airplanes. A longer-range version of the 777-200, it has the same physical dimensions as the initial -200 model, but uses the wing center section to carry an additional 14,220 gallons (53,826 liters) of fuel, for a total of 45,220 gallons (171,170 liters). This increases the range of the 777 to 8,225 statute miles (13,230 kilometers) with a maximum takeoff weight of 632,500 pounds (286,900 kilograms).

China Southern provides service to more than 317 cities worldwide. The airline operates 78 Boeing aircraft, the largest Boeing fleet in China.