National commences revenue 777F services

National Airlines today deployed its first 777F on its debut revenue mission, marking the first time the group has had ten large-widebody freighters in service.

The new freighter (70547) departed New York (JFK) en route to Glasgow (PIK) after conducting a series of proving flights over the past week for regulatory compliance, National told Cargo Facts.

National took delivery of unit 70547 in April and ferried the freighter to its base in Orlando (MCO).

The carrier expects its second 777F (70548), which it received from Boeing last month, to enter commercial service June 5, it said.

That freighter arrived at JFK today from MCO after stops at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, S.C. (GSP), and Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio (LCK).

National has two additional 777Fs on order, which it expects to arrive this year as part of a 2024 deal with Boeing.

The 777Fs are the first large-widebody twinjet freighters for National, which also operates three production 747-400Fs and six 747-400BCFs.

National is the first new 777F operator this year. It joins four other North American carriers flying the type:

• FedEx;
• Atlas Air;
• Kalitta Air; and
• Polar Air Cargo.