Missing MAS flight: B777-200 favoured by airlines

KUALA LUMPUR: The world's focus is now on the missing MH370 Boeing 777-200, a long-range wide-body twin-engine jet.

The MAS flight was carrying 239 passengers from 15 countries when it disappeared at 1.30am Saturday from the Department of Civil Aviation's radar after taking off at 12.41am from the KL International Airport enroute to Beijing.

The 777-200 plane, manufactured by one of the world's well-known aircraft manufacturers, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, is regarded as one of the world's most popular and safest jets.

The plane is one of Boeing's best-selling models and most-favoured by airlines on the back of its capability of flying extremely long haul.

The longest flight it would be capable of would be longer than 18 hours.

By having just two engines, the plane burns lesser fuel than four-engine jets and could fly up to 12,779 km, or 6,900 nautical miles, with 282 passenger seating capacity.

The missing plane was one of MAS' 15 Boeing 777-200s.

The first 777 model, the 777-200, entered service in 1995 with the United Airlines as the first airline in service.

Since then, four additional 777 models have been launched, including the longer-range models in February 2000. - Bernama