Boeing's latest history-making plane continues to be delayed.
The Boeing 777X will not be delivered until late 2023, its manufacturer announced on Wednesday, further delaying the aircraft's debut well-beyond the planned time frame of 2020. Boeing attributed the delay to numerous factors including the pandemic, reduced demand, and new certification requirements.
The twin-engine jet first graced the skies in January 2020 when it lifted off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington following a day of weather delays. A total of four test aircraft now roam the skies, pushing the limits of the aircraft in advance of its certification to fly passengers.
Boeing designed the 777X to be the first next-generation variant of Boeing's popular 777 product line, which first flew in the 1990s and currently sees service with the world's leading airlines. The plane is equipped with new engines developed by General Electric and a longer pair of wings, enabling it to carry more passengers while operating more efficiently than its predecessor aircraft, effectively replacing the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet.
When it first took flight, the 777X became the largest twin-engine jet aircraft to ever fly. Though a milestone aircraft for Boeing, its 2020 aerial debut was hampered by the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max and the subsequent worldwide grounding of the narrow-body jet due to issues with the aircraft's software stemming from its development.
Take a look at the plane Boeing hopes will be its redemption.
Boeing's 777 became popular in the mid-90s as the next step up from its 767. Large twin-engine aircraft were gaining popularity due to their efficiency and changing attitudes toward their safety.
A Boeing 777-200 test aircraft.
Fast-forward to more recent days: Boeing looked back to its famous 777 to see if it could be improved using technology from its latest widebody, the smaller 787 Dreamliner.
View of one of two Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines of Boeing 787 Dreamliner during a media tour of the aircraft ahead of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore
The aircraft has two different wingspan lengths thanks to a unique feature of the aircraft: the wingtips extend flat before takeoff to improve fuel efficiency.
The retractable wingtips of a Boeing 777X.
TERRAY SYLVESTER/Reuters
Pilots activate the function via a switch in the cockpit and retract them right after landing to avoid hitting anything on the ground.
A Boeing 777X with its wingtips retracted.
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The wingspan with the extended wingtips is 235 feet, nearly enough to fit two Boeing 757 aircraft back to back.
A Boeing 777X preparing to take flight.
While the range of the new -9 and the last generation 777-300ER are comparable, the draw to the new aircraft is its efficiency and extra carrying capacity.
A Boeing 777X taxing back to its hangar.
The aircraft's increased efficiency and similar range to its predecessors despite the additional load are made possible thanks to General Electric Aviation's GE9X engines.
A General Electric GE9X engine used exclusively on the Boeing 777X.
The huge engines are large enough for a Boeing 737 fuselage to fit inside.
The GE Aviation GE9X engine powers the Boeing 777X.
TERRAY SYLVESTER/Reuters
The fuel-efficient measures of the aircraft lead Boeing to boast that it will offer 10 percent less fuel burn, emissions, and operating costs.
A Boeing 777X aircraft taxing in Washington.
Its first flight was scheduled for January 24, 2020, three years after production began. That flight was scrapped, however, due to bad weather in the area.
A Boeing 777X taxis following a failed first flight attempt.
LINDSEY WASSON/Reuters
The next day, with the sun shining, the aircraft successfully departed from Paine Field north of Seattle and away from the grounded Max aircraft at Boeing Field.
The first flight of the Boeing 777X.
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A monumental day for Boeing, the aircraft performed routine tests before heading back to Seattle.
The flight path of the Boeing 777X's first flight
But not before stopping for a photo with Mt. Rainer, a Boeing staple.
The first Boeing 777X flight landing at Boeing Field.
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The second 777X built by Boeing took flight on April 30, 2020, flying for just under 3 hours on its first trip to the skies.
The second Boeing 777X test aircraft taking flight for the first time.
The second of four flight test aircraft, this plane tested the 777X's flight handling characteristics and performance capabilities. Boeing flew the plane from its birthplace at Everett, Washington's Paine Field to Seattle's Boeing Field.
The second Boeing 777X test aircraft taking flight for the first time.
A third aircraft took flight on August 3, 2020, departing from its home at Paine Field and heading as far south as Salem, Oregon before heading home via Spokane, Washington and a few touch-and-go maneuvers at an airport in Moses Lake, Washington.
Boeing's third 777X aircraft departing on a test flight.
This test aircraft will focus on the auxiliary power unit – known as the third engine as it provides additional energy for functions such as engine start – as well as the aircraft's avionics, flight loads, and propulsion performance.
Boeing's third 777X aircraft departing on a test flight.
Boeing
Instead of the Boeing house livery that its predecessors wear, the third aircraft's fuselage is nearly all white with the Boeing logo and other small lettering and branding providing the only color.
Boeing's third 777X aircraft departing on a test flight.
Boeing
The tail, however, remained the same.
Boeing's third 777X aircraft departing on a test flight.
Boeing
The aircraft will continue test flights until it receives certification from the world's aviation regulatory agencies. So far, Boeing has logged around 100 hours of test flying with the new type.
A Boeing 777X test flight.
Stephen Brashear/Getty
When it does receive the certification, expected to be rigorous following the issues exposed with the Boeing 737 Max certification, deliveries can begin to customers, with Emirates first on the list.
Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in Dubai.
Seven other airlines have the aircraft on order including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, British Airways, All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, and Cathay Pacific.
A Boeing 777X aircraft departing Paine Field.
As is Boeing's custom, painted on the side of the fuselage of the first test plane are the tails of each airline that has an order in for the plane.
A Boeing 777X aircraft on its first test flight.
Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
The cost per plane stands at $442.2 million, but some airlines receive discounts for buying in bulk.
A Boeing 777X aircraft preparing for takeoff.
For the majority of the airlines on the list, an Airbus aircraft serves as the flagship, though the 777X will likely take that spot.
A Boeing 777X preparing for its first test flight amid bad weather.
Stephen Brashear/Getty
The first delivery – and likely the first passenger flight – of the aircraft was expected in late 2023 following pandemic-related delays.
A taxing Boeing 777 in Seatle, Washington.
"This schedule, and the associated financial impact, reflect a number of factors, including an updated assessment of global certification requirements, the company's latest assessment of COVID-19 impacts on market demand, and discussions with its customers with respect to aircraft delivery timing," Boeing said in a statement at the time.
A Boeing 777X test flight.
Stephen Brashear/Getty
In April 2022, the company announced plans to halt production of the 777x through 2023 amid certification delays, pushing the jet's entry into service to 2025.
Boeing 777X.
This delay will give Boeing time to address the 777X's certification process but will incur an additional $1.5 billion in costs until the jet resumes production.
Boeing 777X.
Boeing
Until then Boeing will have to be satisfied with its creation of the world's largest twin-engine passenger jet.
The Boeing 777X at Dubai Airshow 2021.
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