• 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker

Boeing is expected to delay the 777X program by another year, pushing the aircraft's certification date back to late 2024 and its entry into service to early 2025, sources closed to the project have suggested.

This would not be the first time Boeing’s flagship aircraft has been delayed. The Boeing 777X was originally due to enter into service in 2020, but this date has since been pushed back several times. Previous delays have been blamed on a variety of problems, including production issues, certification issues, and the pandemic.

Boeing 777x getty
Photo: Getty Images

The aircraft manufacturer has yet to make a formal announcement. When asked about the rumored delay on Friday, Boeing said that it “remains focused on working transparently with regulators and our customers.” Simple Flying has reached out to Boeing for further comment.

Dissatisfaction from the Boeing 777X’s customers

If true, airlines will naturally be disappointed with this latest delay. Emirates CEO Tim Clark has already expressed frustration at previous delays, even threatening to cancel the airline's order for a staggering 115 Boeing 777Xs:

"Honestly, if it goes beyond 2023, and it goes on for another year, we probably cancel the program. What else can we do? We can’t continue the way we are. Boeing really needs to get their act together and get this aircraft sorted.”

Emirates-Boeing-777X-Delivery
Photo: Boeing

Many carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, and Cathay Pacific were planning to launch new cabins on their flagship Boeing 777X aircraft. This further delay would push those launches back, impacting their passenger experience too.

The delay would be another in a long line of blows for Boeing as well. In the past few years, the aircraft manufacturer has already had to face problems with its Boeing 737 MAX, the pandemic, and delays to deliveries of its 787 aircraft.

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About the Boeing 777X

The Boeing 777X has been in development since 2013. The aircraft will come in two variants – the Boeing 777-8, with a range of up to 8,730 miles (16,170 km), and the larger Boeing 777-9, with a range of up to 7,285 miles (13,500 km).

The two variants will seat up to 384 and 426 passengers respectively. As the market for extra-large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747-8 has dwindled recently, the Boeing 777X is likely to be the largest aircraft we will see enter into service for the foreseeable future.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777X
Singapore Airlines has ordered 31 Boeing 777Xs. Photo: Boeing

The Boeing 777-9 took its first test flight in January 2020. With its unique folding wingtips, the aircraft is expected to generate a 20% lower fuel burn per seat compared to the Boeing 777-300.

Boeing currently has 334 orders for the 777X. The largest order is by Emirates for 115, followed by Qatar Airways with 74 and Singapore Airlines with 31. Boeing is also building a freighter version of the 777X.

While we await an official statement from Boeing, any further delay is likely to be bad news for both the airline manufacturer and its customers.

Are you surprised to see a further delay to the Boeing 777X program? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

Source: Reuters