The 777 family of airplanes provides the unparalleled level of flexibility, economy and capability originally envisioned with the launch of the program in 1990. The Boeing board of directors authorized production of the 777-300 on June 26, 1995. Boeing had been studying the market feasibility of "stretching" the popular 777-200 for some time, involving more than a dozen airlines in "Working Groups" to establish customer requirements and firm up aspects of the design for the proposed airplane. In this way, the market-driven approach that led to the 777-200's launch in 1990 continued to shape the 777 family with the stretched 777-300.