type of plane?
 

American Airlines flies a "B 772" between Paris and Dallas. Is this a variation of the Boeing 777?

Yes, Boeing 777-200.

Daphne,<BR><BR>What difference does it really make?<BR>Why would you ask that question?

To just -<BR>I'm asking this question because I've been checking the progress of a friend who is flying on one today <BR>usatoday.com/<BR>click "travel" , then "flight tracker"<BR>His flight was listed as being on a B772 and I wondered if it was a type of 777 [a plane I would think twice about going across the Atlantic on as it only has 2 engines, though they're said to be very dependable]. I have a love/fear relationship to flying, like many. Also, I have a close relative who worked for Boeing.<BR>John, thank you for your informative answer!

"Just asking..." who are you? Are you the same one who feels called upon to disapprove of any question he/she doesn't like or doesn't immediately see the use of? Before you post a quibble with something, use your imagination -- there are all kinds of reasons why someone might want ot know this.<BR><BR>Airlines may purchase several of one kind of plane but with a couple of different configurations, depending on how many they want to cram into coach, whether it's 2 or 3-class service, etc. etc. <BR><BR>I understand completely daphne's concern about "only" 2 engines -- it makes me VERY uncomfortable to be on a plane with only 1 engine (L1011? I've forgotten for the moment). I yearn for the old 707s, with a long wingspan and four engines -- it was a very stable and graceful plane. I'm told four engines are not very efficient, but it seems to me that redundancy is good and double redundancy is better.

This is a perfectly legitimate question. The trip experience can vary depending on the type of equipment used. Savvy travelers always know what the equipment is, and often selcet flights based on it. And asking about a "B772" is reasonable, since most people aren't familiar with the shorthand vernacular airlines use to describe equipment, i.e. Boeing 777-200, or 767-300.

I understand the fear of anything with two engines. But aircraft engines are a lot more dependable these days than they were 20+ years ago. All 777's are ETOPS (Extended Twin Engine Operations) certified by the FAA; meaning they can fly on one engine for 3 hours to the nearest divert field. For an airline to fly ETOPS, they must have a route that meets that criteria. Have no fear. <BR>