Boeing’s 777-X is the newest aeroplane of the Boeing widebody family. The 777-9 variant was announced in November 2013 at the Dubai Airshow, the most significant product launch in commercial jetliner history by dollar value, and expanded the family in 2022 by launching the new 777-8 Freighter with Qatar Airways, the most significant freighter commitment by dollar value in Boeing history. The 777-8 variant can seat 384 passengers in a two-class configuration, and the 777-9 can hold as many as 426 passengers.

Based on the 777 and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777X family is designed to maximise efficiency and environmental performance while providing an exceptional experience. Today, the family has received more than 480 orders from leading customers around the globe.

The 777X was supposed to be delivered by now, but there have been delays due to the pandemic, Boeing’s ongoing troubles with the workhorse, the 737, and even some problems with the 777X during the design phase. In a recent conversation with Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, Clark expressed his unhappiness with the delays caused by the 777-9 deliveries, causing the airline to refurbish older aircraft to increase lifespan. He also hinted Boeing should be footing the bill for these delays.

Boeing working with the FAA towards flight certification.

Over the weekend, on July 13, 2024, Boeing stated that it had launched certification flights of the 777-9, the first of the three versions it plans to certify. On a recent visit to the Boeing Everett Delivery Centre, LiveFromALounge was briefed that Boeing had already filed the paperwork for the certification process to start and that it awaited the Federal Aviation Administration’s direction to receive its Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA), a document that signals the aircraft test flights for receiving authorisation are a go.

Boeing performed the first test flight for the type in 2020 and, since then, has conducted over 1200 flights lasting over 3500 hours. This is when it requested the FAA for its TIA. Boeing currently has four aircraft that are being used to test various systems.

Now, Boeing will have the US FAA personnel on board the aircraft, who will run through various test cases and see the response of the aircraft and report back to the FAA.

Boeing issued a statement. It says,

Our team has put the 777-9 test fleet through more than 1,200 flights and 3,500 flight hours across a wide range of regions and climate conditions. With Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) for the 777-9, we began certification flight testing with U.S. Federal Aviation Administration personnel on board the aircraft. The certification flight testing will continue validating the airplane’s safety, reliability and performance. We appreciate our regulator’s rigorous oversight and are grateful to our customers who have chosen the 777-9 for its efficiency, environmental performance and passenger comfort.

Amongst the various customers for the 777-X are Emirates, Qatar Airways, ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and Air India.

Bottomline

The Boeing 777-9 has entered the phase where the regulator, the FAA, will be on board the test flights along with Boeing representatives to observe the performance of the 777-9 during test flights and grant it its authorisation. The aircraft has already undergone rigorous testing and, hopefully, will be on track for entry into service in 2025.

What do you make of the Boeing 777-X aircraft?

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