GE90-115B Engines

GE Aircraft Engines is making headway in the battle of the big engines to power the Boeing 777, the world's largest twin-engined airliner.

This is partly due to its winning exclusivity on the longer range Boeing 777-200 and ­300 (previously known as the ­200X and ­300X). Japan Airlines has ordered eight of the heavier 777s, and EVA of Taiwan seven. All of them will use the GE90-115B, the world's most powerful turbofan, rated at 115,000 lbs thrust.

But among the "smaller" 777s, Rolls-Royce is still king, with Pratt & Whitney in second place some 28 aircraft behind.

Based on firm orders (but not options), Rolls-Royce has won 39.2% of the 469 aircraft orders to date where an engine has been selected, with 184 aircraft. Pratt has won 33.2% with 156 aircraft, and GE 27.6% of the 777 market to date with 129 airliners, including the 15 growth models.

The picture will likely change only slowly as options are exercised and become firm orders. The 777 market has been slow, with a mere handful of new announced orders in the last year or so.

By John Morris