DUBAI — Boeing announced that multiple orders for the 777 family have pushed the airplane program over 2,000 orders, becoming the first widebody airplane to do so and extending its status as the best-selling widebody jet of all time.

In December, BOC Aviation and unidentified customers placed 17 net orders for 777 airplanes, bringing the total to 51 for 2018 and 2,013 since the program launched. The total includes popular models such as the 777-300ER (Extended Range) passenger jet, the long-range 777 Freighter, and the soon-to-roll out 777X.

The Middle East is a key region for the 777 with Emirates Airline being the world’s largest operator with 165 of the aircraft currently in its fleet. In addition, the airline is also the largest customer for the 777X with 150 on order. Other key customers of the 777 include Etihad Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Kuwait Airways.

"The 777 continues to delight passengers around the world while creating profitable growth for our customers that is translating to strong demand for the airplane,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company. "The staying power of the current 777 is providing a good transition to the new 777X, which will further extend the 777’s performance, economics and range capability.”

“With a large widebody replacement wave approaching, the 777 is well-positioned to build on its long-haul market leadership and support further global network connectivity,” said Mounir.

The 777 beats the next closest widebody airplane by almost 300 orders. — SG