The Boeing Company is set to make aviation history today when a Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner takes off from Hong Kong flying eastbound to London, attempting to set a world distance record.

The 777-200LR (Longer Range) would take off with a full load of fuel and 35 passengers and crew, flying nonstop on a route that is likely to exceed a distance of more than halfway around the world.

"The record distance flight is a demonstration of the outstanding operating efficiency and reliability of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner," said Lars Andersen, 777 programme vice president and programme manager in a statement released to Bernama.

He said that the Worldliner used less fuel to fly farther, carry more passengers, more comfortably and with more revenue cargo than any other commercial jetliner.

A representative from the US National Aeronautics Association would fly with the airplane to monitor the record attempt while representatives of the Guinness Book of Records would meet the airplane when it lands.

The record-breaking flight is part of the inaugural "Guinness World Records Day" on Nov 9, a day which is dedicated to record attempting throughout the world.

Fly for 23 hours

Guinness World Records representatives will be monitoring the flight's progress and meeting it upon landing at Heathrow to present it with the Guinness World Record certificate.

"The flight plan we have in place will allow us to set a new distance record well above the current one," said Capt Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, the project pilot leader for the 777-200LR record flight attempt.

The Worldliner's flight is expected to last about 23 hours and cover more than 11,000 nautical miles (20,300 km).

The 777-200LR, capable of connecting virtually any two cities around the globe, is the fifth 777 model.

In service, it can carry 301 passengers and baggage up to 9,420 nautical miles (17,445 km).

The first 777-200LR would be delivered to Pakistan International Airlines in early 2006 while EVA Air, Qatar Airways and Air India have announced orders or commitments for the 777-200LR.