Initial derivatives

A Malaysia Airlines 777-200ER

After the original model, Boeing developed an increased gross weight variant of the 777-200 with greater range and payload capability.^[65] Initially named 777-200IGW,^[66] the 777-200ER first flew on October 7, 1996,^[67] received FAA and JAA certification on January 17, 1997,^[68] and entered service with British Airways on February 9, 1997.^[68] Offering greater long-haul performance, the variant became the most widely ordered version of the aircraft through the early 2000s.^[65] On April 2, 1997, a Malaysia Airlines −200ER named "Super Ranger" broke the great circle "distance without landing" record for an airliner by flying eastward from Boeing Field, Seattle to Kuala Lumpur, a distance of 10,823 nautical miles (20,044 km), in 21 hours and 23 minutes.^[64]

Following the introduction of the −200ER, Boeing turned its attention to a stretched version of the airliner. On October 16, 1997, the 777-300 made its first flight.^[67] At 242.4 ft (73.9 m) in length, the −300 became the longest airliner yet produced (until the A340-600), and had a 20 percent greater overall capacity than the standard length model.^[69] The −300 was awarded type certification simultaneously from the FAA and JAA on May 4, 1998,^[70] and entered service with launch customer Cathay Pacific on May 27, 1998.^[67][71]

From the start of the development program, Boeing had considered building ultra-long-range variants.^[72] Early plans centered on a 777-100X proposal,^[73] which would have been a shortened version of the −200 with reduced weight and increased range,^[73] similar to the 747SP.^[74] However, the −100X would have carried fewer passengers than the −200 while having similar operating costs, leading to a higher cost per seat.^[73][74] By the late 1990s, design plans shifted to longer-range versions of existing models.^[73] A more powerful engine in the 100,000 lbf (440 kN) and higher thrust class was required, leading to active discussions between Boeing and the engine manufacturers. General Electric offered to develop the GE90-115B engine,^[42] while Rolls-Royce proposed developing the Trent 8104 engine.^[75] In 1999, Boeing announced an agreement with General Electric, beating out rival proposals.^[42] As part of the deal with General Electric, Boeing agreed that GE90 engines would be the only powerplants offered for new versions of the 777.^[42]

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