Boeing 777X

Keen readers may recall that Boeing launched the 777X in November 2013, officially the 777-8 and 777-9.  The “big twin” was to replace the 747 and compete with the latest Airbus A350.

Much has happened since then with a first flight of the Dash 9 in January 2020, the pandemic, an engine failure in October 2022, and technical issues. Boeing resumed testing the jet in late December 2022. There are 353 on order including lead customer Lufthansa (27) and British Airways (18).  First deliveries are now not expected until 2025.

Patrick Ky, Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), is hopeful that discussions regarding the flight control systems for the aircraft are progressing positively. “We are hopefully converging,” said Ky in an interview with Reuters. Read into that what you like. A bilateral agreement between the US and EU means that the FAA is the primary certification authority.

With the ending of firstly A380 and then 747 production (two Presidential aircraft are yet to be delivered) with its carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) folding wing, the 777X is the largest aircraft envisaged for the immediate future.  The 777-9 has seating for 426 passengers and a range of over 7,285nmi (13,500km).

In production is the Airbus A350-1000, with a range of 8,700nm and a maximum seating capacity of 410 and a wingspan of 212.43ft.  Rolls-Royce is the engine supplier with the Trent EWB turbofan engine.

www.boeing.com/commercial/777x

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