The first delivery of the long-awaited Boeing 777X freighter will be within five years. According to Boeing, the first aircraft will be handed over to the model's launch customer, Qatar Airways, in 2027.

The 777-8 Freighter is coming

According to its vice-president of sales and marketing for the Middle East, Boeing has confirmed that it expects to deliver the first 777-8 freighter (777-8F) to Qatar Airways in 2027. Initially launched in 2013, the 777X family of aircraft (which includes both the 777-8 and the 777-9) has already built up a substantial order book for the US-based manufacturer.

With its European rival Airbus attracting orders for its A350 freighter offering, Boeing has been keen to get a comparable aircraft into its launch customers' hands as soon as possible. It launched its 777-8F as a response to the A350F in January of this year.

A render of two Qatar Airways Boeing 777-8F Freighters flying above mountains.
Image: Boeing

Qatar is betting big on the 777-8F

Qatar Airways ordered up to 50 Boeing 777-8 freighters in February of this year as the manufacturer added the new model to cater to growing cargo demand. The Middle East-based airline ordered 34 of the aircraft with options for a further 16 in a deal valued at more than $20bn based on list prices.

It is the largest freighter commitment in Boeing's history by value to date and saw the Doha-based carrier awarded with the 'launch customer' title for the variant.

According to Boeing, of Qatar's 34 777-8F orders, 20 are conversions of Qatar's existing orders for passenger 777X aircraft. The airline has ordered two 777 freighters (the current in-production model) to meet the near-term cargo demand until its new fleet of 777-8 freighters begins to arrive five years from now.

Qatar Paris Airshow
Qatar first indicated its interest in the 777-8F at the 2019 Paris Air Show. Photo: Getty Images

Impressive capabilities

Boeing has stated that the Boeing 777-8F will offer a maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes and a range of 8,167 km. The cargo capacity of the 777-8F is almost the same as the 747-400 freighter while reducing fuel use and emissions by 30% and operating costs by 25%. According to Boeing, these benefits will provide operators with a more sustainable and profitable business.

Announcing the order for the all-new 777-8F back in February, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said,

"Boeing has a long history of building market-leading freighter aircraft, and Qatar Airways is honored to have the opportunity to be the launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter, an aircraft which will not only allow us to enhance our product offering for our customers further but also help us meet our objectives to deliver a sustainable future for our business.

Today marks a great day in the ever-building and strong relationship between Qatar Airways and Boeing. We certainly push Boeing hard to deliver upon our expectations. The team at Boeing consistently strives to meet and exceed our expectations, giving the opportunity for us to be here today to launch the most significant new freighter aircraft for a generation."

What exactly is the 777-8F?

The 777-8F is smaller than the baseline 777-9, which is also currently being offered to airlines. Boeing had initially intended for the 777-8 to be a passenger aircraft but shelved that program in 2019. The company's first 777X – the 777-9, a passenger jet – remains in the certification process, with the airframer aiming to deliver the first by late 2023.

The widebody B777X family features engineering design improvements and innovative technologies, including a new carbon-fiber composite wing and new fuel-efficient GE Aviation GE9X powerplants. Boeing has confirmed that the aircraft will be built at the company's Everett, Washington site.

Boeing-777X-Freighter-Expectations
The 777-8F will feature General Electric's GE9X engine. Image: General Electric

Boeing 777-8F raw data

  • Maximum structural payload: 118.3 tonnes (260,600 lb)
  • Maximum revenue payload: 112.3 tonnes (247,500 lb)
  • Range: 4,410 nautical miles (8,167 km)
  • Wingspan: 235 feet, 5 inches (71.8 m)
  • On ground: 212 feet, 8 inches (64.8 m)
  • Length: 232 feet, 6 inches (70.86 m)
  • Maximum takeoff weight: 805,000 lb (365,160 kg)
  • Engine: General Electric GE9X
  • Total cargo volume: 27,056 ft3 (766 m3)
  • Maindeck capacity: 31 pallets
  • Lower hold capacity: 13 pallets + bulk cargo, or 5,995 cu ft (169.8 cu m)
  • Launch: January 2022
  • First delivery: 2027

Boeing is delighted to have Qatar Airways onboard

Boeing has been vocal about hooking Qatar Airways into a substantial deal for its newest cargo offering. Speaking about the announcement that the 777-8F will be heading to Doha for the first time in 2027, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Stan Deal commented,

"We are delighted to launch Boeing's next great cargo airplane, the 777-8F, with Qatar Airways, one of the world's largest cargo carriers and our partner since the airline began operations 25 years ago. Our team is ready to create an airplane that will serve them well for many decades. Qatar Airways' selection of the efficient 777-8F is a testament to our commitment to provide freighters with market-leading capacity, reliability, and efficiency."

Aiming to keep up with Airbus

Following hot on the heels of the launch of the Airbus A350, Boeing is fighting hard to secure more orders for the 777-8F. Just last month, the company announced that Ethiopian Airlines had become the second airline to sign up for the new variant, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed for an initial five of the type.

Boeing, however, is very much playing catch-up in the market for new twin-engined, wide-bodied freighter aircraft. The 777-8F is scheduled to hit the market around two years after Airbus delivers its first A350F. Air Lease Corp became the first customer, placing an order for seven A350Fs at the Dubai Airshow 2021.

Since then, Singapore Airlines, Air France-KLM, and Etihad have also opted for Airbus' competitor to the 777-8F.

SIA A350F
Singapore Airlines is one of a number of airlines that have already opted for the A350F. Image: Airbus

Qatar is leaning toward Boeing

In light of recent events surrounding the ongoing dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus regarding its fleet of A350s, it may be no surprise that the airline's relationship with Boeing is growing ever closer. With the excitement surrounding the entry into service of the new 777-8F along with the current legal wranglings continuing with Airbus, this is likely to be the case for some time to come.

Do you think more airlines will order the 777-8F in the coming months? How do you feel it compares with the A350F? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Boeing