12 April 2021, Moscow – Aeroflot will name its new wide-body Boeing 777-300ER, due to be delivered in May 2021, after prominent space scientist and engineer Sergei Korolev.
Previously the name of Sergei Korolev was held by Aeroflot aircraft, which was retired in 2018. The decision to reintroduce the name to Aeroflot fleet is timed to the anniversary of the first manned space flight. On April 12, 2021, Russia celebrates the 60th anniversary of this achievement, made possible by Sergei Korolev. Under his leadership the first satellite was launched and the flight of the first cosmonaut of the planet Yuri Gagarin took place.
Mikhail Poluboyarinov, CEO of Aeroflot, commented: “Our airline has a long tradition of naming planes after great compatriots as this allows us to preserve the memory of outstanding personalities and pay homage to their achievements. We are glad to have the opportunity to perpetuate the contribution of Sergei Korolev to the creation and development of the aerospace industry".
Boeing Russia and CIS President Sergei Kravchenko said: “The new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft of Aeroflot will be named after the founder of applied astronautics Sergei Korolev, which is meaningful to us. Boeing has been a strategic partner of «Energia» corporation, which is named after Korolev, in a number of aerospace programs since 1992. Together we participate in meaningful projects in the field of space exploration, including the International Space Station".
The grandson of the great scientist, surgeon, professor Andrei Korolev commented: "Naming Aeroflot aircraft after my grandfather Sergei Korolev will become a symbol for decades and will strengthen the pride of our people in achievements in the field of space exploration".
Aeroflot's Boeing 777-300ER, named after Sergei Korolev, has a capacity of 427 seats: 28 in Business class, 24 in Comfort class and 375 in Economy class. The range of the wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft amounts to 14,594 km.
Aeroflot has a firm order for 22 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, 20 of which have already been delivered. The twentieth aircraft joined Aeroflot’s fleet on February 15, 2021.
Boeing 777 is the largest twin-engine jet in the world and the first aircraft to be designed using three-dimensional computer graphics. Thanks to a new wing design, a more fuel efficient engine and a lightweight body structure, Boeing 777 has better fuel efficiency and lower emissions footprint per passenger.
About Aeroflot
Aeroflot is Russia’s flagship carrier and a proud member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance.
Aeroflot ranks among the 20 largest airlines globally.
In 2020, Aeroflot carried 14.6 million passengers (30.2 million passengers as Aeroflot Group including subsidiaries).
Aeroflot was the world’s most on-time mainline airline in 2019 according to Cirium’s On-Time Performance Review.
Aeroflot holds 4-Star Airline status from Skytrax and was named Best Airline in Eastern Europe for the eighth time at the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards. Aeroflot has also been awarded a five-star global airline rating by US aviation association APEX.
Aeroflot was named the strongest brand in Russia in 2020 and the world’s strongest airline brand according to leading brand strategy consultancy Brand Finance. Aeroflot ranks fourth in the industry for digitalisation, according to Bain & Company research.
Find out more at http://www.aeroflot.com/
About Boeing
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.
