First flight Boeing 777X

The Boeing 777X is the latest series of the long-range, wide-body, twin-engine Boeing 777 family from Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The 777X features new GE9X engines, new composite wings with folding wingtips, greater cabin width and seating capacity, and technologies from the Boeing 787. The 777X was launched in November 2013 with two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9. The 777-8 provides seating for 384 passengers and has a range of 8,730 nmi (16,170 km) while the 777-9 has seating for 426 passengers and a range of over 7,285 nmi (13,500 km). The 777-9 first flew on January 25, 2020, with deliveries expected to commence in 2022.

The first test flight took place on January 25, 2020, at 10:09 a.m. from Paine Field in Everett, and landed in Boeing Field in Seattle after 3 hours and 52 minutes. The second 777X first flew on April 30, by which point the first had accumulated nearly 100 hr of exploring the flight envelope. Two more 777-9s are expected to be added to the test program, aiming for certification in 2021. After the first delivery was pushed back from 2021 to 2022, the third aircraft made its maiden flight on August 3; it is slated for avionics systems, APU, flight loads and propulsion performance tests.

In June 2019, Qatar Airways urged Boeing to develop a 777X-based freighter, to replace its existing 777Fs. Boeing confirmed that discussions were under way to define a timeline for a freighter variant. The freighter is expected to be based on the 777-8 airframe.

Orders

In December 2013, Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific ordered 21 777-9 airliners with deliveries from 2021 to 2024.

In July 2014, Emirates, the launch customer, finalized its order for 150 777X aircraft, consisting of 115 777-9s and 35 777-8s. On July 16, Qatar Airways finalized its order for 50 777-9 aircraft, with purchase rights for 50 more 777-9s. On July 31, Japan's All Nippon Airways finalized an order for 20 Boeing 777-9s.

In December 2016, Iran Air signed an agreement with Boeing for 80 airliners including 15 777-9s. On May 8, 2018, United States President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran Nuclear Deal, effectively cancelling $38 billion of Airbus and Boeing orders from Iran Air.

In February 2017, Singapore Airlines signed a letter of intent with Boeing for 20 777-9 and 19 787-10 airliners; this was firmed in June 2017.[96] In June 2017, the three Persian Gulf carriers (Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways) held 235 orders, 69% of the 340 commitments, which were less financially secure than previously. Etihad's widespread investing strategy had backfired as it reduced feed sources, making it harder to fill the orders for the 777X. Emirates' demand had been slowing and it was considering deferral of deliveries, having the smallest sovereign wealth fund backing of the Gulf carriers. Qatar Airways was facing economic concerns and was suffering from a diplomatic crisis with its neighbors.

After a nearly $2 billion loss in 2016, Etihad had to cut routes, shrink its fleet and is keen on canceling or deferring its orders, preferring to incur cancellations penalties rather than recurring losses from overcapacity. On February 14, 2019, it was reported that Etihad would take only six of the 25 777X airliners it had originally ordered.

On February 28, 2019, British Airways parent International Airlines Group ordered up to 42 777-9, 18 firm and 24 options, valued at up to $18.6 billion, to replace its Boeing 747-400. On November 7, Lufthansa stated it had converted 14 orders into options, leaving six firm commitments, after having negotiated a change as part of its order for 20 787s. On November 20, Emirates reduced its order total to 115 in exchange for ordering 30 Boeing 787-9s, while remaining the largest 777X customer.