Every Boeing 777 has these black stripes on its wings and this is what they're for
Published on Jan 11, 2026 at 9:21 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Jan 09, 2026 at 5:33 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Henry Kelsall
Every Boeing 777 airliner has black stripes on the wings, and you’d be forgiven for not knowing what they are for.
There are interesting details on aircraft that you may easily miss, as they are far more subtle than some of the main design features on the airplanes.
The blak stripes on the wings of Boeing 777 make it an interesting case, as they are a feature not seen on every other airliner.
As it turns out, there is a simple reason for these stripes, and it’s one that makes a lot of sense.
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Why does the Boeing 777 have black stripes?
Having black stripes on the wings of a plane might sound a little odd, but there is a simple reason for them.
They’re used to show the pilots on the tail camera where the outside of the main landing gear wheels are.
It might not sound like an exciting reason, but it has plenty of benefits.
This is particularly useful during taxiing and for 180-degree turns on a runway.
Pilots will be able to make sure that the outside wheels are still on the taxiway and not on the grass.
Without those stripes, pilots would effectively have to guess where the wheels were on the cameras.
It is a straightforward yet very clever solution.
The 777 is an incredibly versatile airliner
If you have ever flown a long distance, particularly from America, chances are you’ve flown on a Boeing 777.
Boeing introduced the first generation of the aircraft in 1993, and it has flown with over 70 operators worldwide.
It is as iconic as the 737 and 747, with the added bonus of being a newer design than both.
United Airlines was the first airline to receive the Boeing 777 in May 1995.
The first commercial flight for the airliner was on June 7, 1995.
Since then, the aircraft has been developed further, including the Boeing 777X.
The 777X has had a troubled upbringing, with delays setting back delivery dates.
But at the time of writing, the company expects to make the first deliveries in 2027.
It looks like the story of the 777 is far from over.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
