Over the years, the Boeing 777 family has proven to be one of the US manufacturer's most popular designs, with more than 1,700 examples of the twin-engine wide body produced to date. In fact, it’s been the best-selling wide body aircraft of all time. The latest variant from Boeing is known as the 777X and it's on the way. With the most powerful engines to date, the largest capacity of any twin-engine jet, and efficient long-range operation, it promises to bring with it a number of advantages. Unfortunately, delivery has been repeatedly delayed and some carriers are frustrated, but once in service, it will radically change the fleets of many airlines.There will be two versions of the Boeing 777X: the 777-8 and the larger 777-9. The former model will have a length of almost 233 feet, with a passenger capacity of up to 395. The larger version will stretch the fuselage to over 249 feet in length, offering a passenger capacity of up to 426 in a two-class configuration, according to Boeing data.
The 777X uses new General Electric GE9X engines. These are the largest and most powerful commercial engines ever built. They are even bigger than a 737 fuselage and will deliver 105,000 pounds of thrust, more than was generated in America’s first manned space flight! Despite the increased size, these engines are lighter than the GE90 engines on the Boeing 777 (mainly due to fewer fan blades and the use of carbon fiber composite materials). Overall, the 777X is around 20% more efficient than the 777-300ER and about 10% more efficient (both in fuel use and operating cost) than its Airbus competitor, the A350-1000 - again according to Boeing data.
The signature addition to Boeing's latest aircraft are its folding wingtips. The 777X has a huge wingspan and while this boosts performance and efficiency in the air, they can be problematic when the plane's on the ground. Crucially, the folding wingtips reduce this wingspan from 235.5 feet to 218.8 feet. Operation before takeoff is controlled simply with a switch. After landing, when the aircraft roll speed reaches 50 knots, the wingtips will automatically begin to fold. The unique wingtips design keep the 777X in the second largest of the six groups defined by the Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Design Group (ADG). One of the main problems faced by the Airbus A380 has been its categorization in the largest group and the limitations this has placed on the airports where it can operate. Its range, too, will place it well against the competing Airbus A350 and the retiring Boeing 747. For the 777-9, this is 7,285 nautical miles and for the later to launch 777-8, it will be 8,745 nautical miles.
There was a great deal of discussion earlier on about the possibility of a freighter aircraft based on the 777X airframe. This has since been confirmed, and Boeing hopes to deliver the first freighter in 2027. This will act as a replacement for the 747 and 777 freighters and compete strongly with the Airbus A350F freighter. The 777X freighter will offer a higher payload of 118.2 tons than both the 777F and A350F, but the A350F will beat it on range, traveling around 300 nautical miles further. With the changes made to the planned 777-8 in 2023, the two aircraft will now have the same fuselage size and wingspan. It will have the same upper and lower deck pallet loading as the 777 freighter but will take more pallets. Qatar Airways was the first airline to order the 777-8F (back in 2019). Ethiopian Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA, and Cargolux have all since followed with orders.
Boeing has been beset by problems in recent years. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently launched a formal investigation into the aircraft manufacturer after a cabin panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines-operated 737 MAX 9 jet at 16,000 feet on January 5, forcing an emergency landing. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries or fatalities, but the dramatic incident appears to be symptomatic. The 777X’s entry into service should have happened already, but delivery of the plane has been repeatedly delayed. The aircraft is well into the testing program, but there have been several shifts in target certification dates as a result of engine issues and moving resources to the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 programs. The first delivery is now expected in early 2025. As of the end of August 2023, nine airlines have placed Boeing 777X orders for a total of 363 aircraft ordered (including freighter variants). This includes a massive order for 115 aircraft from Emirates. With the delivery so delayed and the 777X forming such a significant part of its fleet replacement strategy, this has caused major concern, but Boeing has confirmed it will send a first aircraft to Emirates for proving flights this year.
Many airlines, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, and British Airways are, or have been, Airbus A380 operators. It’s no surprise that the 777X will serve as a replacement for the A380, as well as for mostly retired commercial Boeing 747-400s and aging Boeing 777-200s. It will certainly mark the final move away from four-engine commercial jets. The A380 will, of course, remain in service for years to come, but twin-engine high capacity now appears to be the way forward.
The 777X has been delayed for any number of reasons, including those regarding production, engines and certification as well as the pandemic. For context, the aircraft was supposed to complete its first test flight in mid-2019, but that ended up being pushed back to early 2020. This delay was due to issues with the GE9X General Electric engines on the plane. They were having durability problems, which caused a delay in their certification. That wasn’t the only issue. During the 777X certification process, a door blew off during a stress test and damaged a wing. But, that was only the start of the problems for Boeing. With all the issues surrounding the 737 MAX, the aerospace giant has faced and most likely will continue to face a much more stringent certification process for the 777X. It goes without saying that many airline customers are not very happy with these delays, as they’ve been relying on Boeing’s timeline for their fleet planning. Delaying deliveries by five years (and counting) is certainly not ideal.
Boeing is now targeting late 2024 for certification of the 777X, with deliveries expected to start in early 2025. This is “based on an updated assessment of the time required to meet certification requirements.” At this point, that’s the best case scenario.
Until next time...safe travels.
Your readers will look forward to your review of your first flight aboard the new plane in the not too distant future - Enjoy it :-)