From Boeing's 2012 sales results posted yesterday:

Total 747 Sales = 1525
Total 777 Sales = 1431

With a difference of only 94 sales, it appears that the 777 total will over take the 747 in the near future, probably no later than the end of 2014

Impressive! Any word on Boeing's plans to launch the 777X?

My guess is Boeing will launch 777X once 787 and 747-8 deliveries meet expectations.

That's impressive, especially when you know that it only took about half the sales time of the 747 to reach that level for the 777.

Quoting L0VE2FLY (Reply 1): Any word on Boeing's plans to launch the 777X?

I believe it's better for Boeing to cross one bridge at a time right now.

Quoting SpaceshipDC10 (Reply 3): I believe it's better for Boeing to cross one bridge at a time right now.

Especially considering a gulf carrier like EK would not be very tolerant to four year delays...

I was impressed when I heard that Boeing had recently delivered its 1,000th Boeing 777. I remember how long it was until they rolled the 1,000th 747 for SQ. Both planes are superb designs - and not too bad looking either!

I remember when the 727 was the best selling jetliner in world history when the last frame rolled off the line, the 1,832nd 727. That was in 1984. Nothing could ever top that. Of course the A320 and 737 have sailed way past, into numbers that would have seemed impossible back in 1984 (the world's population has added 2 billion since, so a big expansion of air travel was going to happen, but still...). But for a wide body to hit these kind of numbers is amazing. I bet Boeing never thought they'd see 1,000 747s, never mind 1,500 and still climbing. Remember other widebodies did a fraction of this kind of business - TriStar was 250, MD-11 was 250, DC-10 was 446 inc military sales, even Airbus' miracle machine the A300 only did 561. The 767, Boeing's most profitable programme, has just passed the 1,000 mark.

Quoting SpaceshipDC10 (Reply 3): I believe it's better for Boeing to cross one bridge at a time right now.

...than do the 777X - yes, although it's been quiet for weeks, the 787 still feels like it's not out of the woods yet, give it two years with a number of smooth EISs and no incidents in service and then it'll be time to turn to the 777X. Anyway the 777-300ER is the real Dreamliner. The 787 is great for 200 pax on niche routes like Helsinki to Mombassa or Boston to Tokyo, but come on - the 777-300ER does 420 seats (that's Etihad's config - luxurious J and ten-abreast Y) plus 7,600 cubic feet of cargo (floor locks for 44 LD3 bins!), unlimited range and no payload restrictions almost ever? On two engines? The 787 doesn't come close to that. Dream dream dream...

I find it amazing that since decades Boeing is developing airliners, which are selling in numbers of more than 1,000 units, the B 707 / B 720 being the only exception (although close to 1,000 units).

Quoting N14AZ (Reply 7): I find it amazing that since decades Boeing is developing airliners, which are selling in numbers of more than 1,000 units, the B 707 / B 720 being the only exception (although close to 1,000 units).

On the contrary, a tad over 1,000 707 /720 were built.

Wouldn't the 748i be a perfect plane for SAA, they said twins don't make it because of hot and high. And no ETOPS problems either with the 748i, a bit larger than the A346 but should have decent economics? Post 2015 748i will be a very good plane!

Quoting cedarjet (Reply 6): But for a wide body to hit these kind of numbers is amazing.

The 727 is hardly a wide body! (same frame as the 737)

Quoting cedarjet (Reply 6): unlimited range and no payload restrictions almost ever?

Oh really? So why doesn't it fly non-stop SYD-LHR?? (or SYD/JFK etc)...

Quoting A520 (Reply 10): The 727 is hardly a wide body! (same frame as the 737)

I think he was referring to the 747 / 777 and the comparison between widebodies and narrow bodies in sales

Quoting Mortyman (Reply 12): Quoting A520 (Reply 10): The 727 is hardly a wide body! (same frame as the 737) I think he was referring to the 747 / 777 and the comparison between widebodies and narrow bodies in sales

That's right but some people seem to read a sentence narrowly without properly perusing the whole post or paragraph to get the context. Not the first example and won't be the last.

Quoting cedarjet (Reply 6): unlimited range and no payload restrictions almost ever? On two engines?

Well to be fair its not unlimited, Remember that all aircraft are limited to a certain range depending on its payload... while the 777 does indeed have decent range without payload restrictions, 7500NM for 77L if I remember correctly, its still limited... But, even now im still amazed at the capabilities of this twin engine aircraft.

Quoting OldAeroGuy (Thread starter): Total 747 Sales = 1525 Total 777 Sales = 1431 With a difference of only 94 sales, it appears that the 777 total will over take the 747 in the near future, probably no later than the end of 2014

Its only a matter of time....

Boeing has done remarkably well selling their B-700 family of airplanes. Of the NBs, only the B-717 did not sell 1000+ airframes, but that airplane was really a MD design and launch. All of the WBs have also sold 1000+ airframes, save the B-787 which is knocking on the 1000+ sales door.

Airbus has done reasonably well too, but the A-300, A-310, A-340 all did not even break the 700 barrier. The jury is still out on if the A-380 will ever hit the 1000 sales mark, it has a long way to go. The A-32X and A-330 are both Airbus success stories.

True, even the 757 did it... in 25 years... almost 1050.

Quoting cedarjet (Reply 6): The 767, Boeing's most profitable programme,

Really? What made it so profitable? I thought that honor belonged to the venerable 737 with 10,400+ ordered & 7,400+ already delivered, or even the 747 or 777 more expensive aircrafts that sold in greater numbers.

Quoting L0VE2FLY (Reply 17): What made it so profitable?

The new 767 Tanker program has extended the life of the 767 by a far stretch.

While some claim Boeing has to sell a 767 at cost to get anyone to take it, with the new FAL Boeing has reduced production time by some 30% and that should have taken a good chunk out of the production costs, as well. When you consider the revenue and margin drain each 747-8 and 787 delivery has, I would not be surprised at all if increased 767 deliveries are contributing to Boeing still seeing strong revenues and margins.

Quoting trent1000 (Reply 11):

How many Ultra Long routes do we have today...? Probably a handful, & explains why there's no LHR-SYD... Plus the aircraft would be limited to operate all year round...

Certainly a milestone and all credit to Boeing for delivering a superb product...

EK413