NEWS: What’s happened to Boeing’s 777x?

Today’s guest post is by aviation and travel blogger Ben.

You may recall TLFL’s previous post published on 6th August 2020 in which the delays to the delivery of Boeing’s 777x were outlined.  This post contains updates to that information, and as we shall see, 2025 is now the date to anticipate.

With two of its jet airliner families (the 737 and the 747) in the top-3 plane types for the number of crashes and fatalities, Boeing is in desperate need of a game- and reputation- change – especially after the 2019-2020 worldwide grounding called following two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX.

And, yes, the Boeing 777X undoubtedly has the potential to restore the reputation of the world’s largest airliner producer and seller. But when will the “ world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet” be able to start working its magic?

According to recent reports issued by Boeing and confirmed by Emirates Airlines president Tim Clark, air travellers will not have the honour to board the new Boeing 777X before 2025.

But what has been causing such steep delays in the Boeing 777X delivery dates? And why has the program’s start been postponed to seven years after its expected launch? Let’s find out.

A Brief History of the 777 Series

Before looking at the current state of the 777X, let’s understand where this airliner comes from and what family it belongs to. According to Boeing’s program, the 777X is designed to be a more innovative, efficient, and safer version of the 777 series of airliners.

The airliner, which took to the skies for the first time nearly 30 years ago, is today the most-produced and most-delivered, with over 1600 ordered by worldwide operators (excluding orders for the 777X).

The new model – which has been subjected to multiple delays – was designed to be a solution to keep the 777 series as modern, current, and in-demand as it has been for the past three decades.

But now, amidst doubts about the program’s viability and threats of order cancellations, many are left to wonder whether the 777X will only manage to cast a shadow over the entire program’s popularity.

777X: a Track Record of Delays

The 777X made its first flight in January 2020, but the company is still waiting for the security certifications necessary for the plane to make its debut in the commercial landscape. Certainly, minor delays and postponements are nothing new in an industry as complex as the aviation one. However, the track record of the 777X is somehow worse than other airliners.

The 777X was initially set to be released in 2019, or eight years after the program’s initial launch, which took place in 2011.

However, over the past 11 years, Boeing has been hit by multiple crises, including the several accidents involving its 737 MAX and the pandemic-induced industry crisis. These developments caused the targeted launch date for the 777X to be postponed to 2021, and then 2023.

However, difficulties in obtaining the necessary security certifications have, once again, postponed the new jet airliner’s debut into the market. This time, operators are expecting to receive their orders no earlier than 2025.

The Impact of The Ongoing Delay on Purchasers

BA B777X

Of course, there is nothing more important for an airliner manufacturing company to ensure the highest safety standards to their customers and operators. However, the prolonged delays that caused the launch of the 777X to be postponed by nearly 7 years is now raising doubts about the logistic viability of the entire program.

In turn, Boeing’s stakeholders, alongside the airline operators that have placed an order for the new 777X, are pondering whether investing in the program is indeed a smart move.

Among the carriers that have raised doubts about the 777X program is also Boeing’s most important customer: Emirates Airlines.

The Dubai-based airline operator has placed an order for 150 777X in 2013, and it has not yet received confirmation of when the new twin-jet airliners will be delivered.

So, it does not come as a surprise that Emirates president Tim Clark is now threatening to cancel the order if 777X delivery dates are postponed past 2023.

When Should The 777X Make Its Debut on The Market?

While Boeing has failed to deliver its 777X on time, the company has certainly been busy with other projects. Firstly, they had to undergo the recertification process of all of its 737 MAX airliners. Secondly, the production of other models in the 777 series has now been ramped up.

According to the most recent estimations released by CEO Dave Calhoun, the 777X should be in the hands of purchasers by 2025.

This projected timeline is based on updated assessments that offer more precise indications about the time required for the company to acquire the necessary safety certifications. However, this is not to say that, in the case of order cancellation by major purchasers like Emirates, the program’s viability might change.

So it now seems likely that it’ll be three more years before aircraft engineers will be removing the remove before flight tags from various points on a shiny new Boeing 777X.