Atlas Air announced an order for four new Boeing 777F freighters on Thursday. The deal was signed in December, but only now revealed by the two companies.
The first aircraft will be delivered in November, while the remaining three will only arrive in 2023. It is the first time that Atlas Air orders the 777F directly from Boeing. The company flies 14 of these aircraft, all of which are leased.
The US cargo airline is a loyal Boeing customer, with a fleet that includes 737, 767, 777 and 747 jets, of which it is the largest operator in the segment, with 49 aircraft.
Atlas Air will also be the last customer to receive a new 747-8F. Still in 2022, Boeing will deliver four of these planes to the company, including the last one produced after more than 50 years of career.
The Boeing 777F is currently the most successful cargo jet on the market, capable of carrying up to 102 tonnes over distances of 4,970 nm (9,200 km). However, it has an expiration date ahead of 2027, when new environmental rules will cause it to be taken out of production.
To replace it, Boeing will soon launch the 777XF, a freighter variant based on the upgraded passenger jet.
