The 777X is Boeing’s new flagship aircraft. While the jet was initially supposed to enter commercial service in 2020, that timeline has been pushed back considerably. Up until this point, Boeing’s claim was that the plane would enter service as of 2025. Well, that’s no longer the case, and the timeline has now officially been pushed back to early 2026. This news comes as Boeing reports just how grim its situation is.
In this post:
The basics of the Boeing 777X
For those not familiar, the Boeing 777X is Boeing’s newest version of the 777. It will come in two variants — the 777-8 and 777-9 — and the planes are more fuel efficient, longer range, and larger than existing 777s (and larger than 787s, which are also popular).
With there clearly not being a market anymore for planes like the A380 and 747-8, this will likely be the biggest new aircraft we see manufactured in the next decade.
There are currently over 500 orders for the 777X, so the plane is popular, though not as popular as the A350 or 787, which are lower capacity while still being longe range and fuel efficient. Emirates is the single biggest customer for the 777X, as the airline has 205 of these jets on order, and is using these to replace Airbus A380s, as those jets retire.
However, airlines like All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines, are also counting on this jet for fleet renewal, all with plans to make this their flagship aircraft.
The Boeing 777X is now delayed until 2026
The Boeing 777X was initially supposed to enter service in 2020, but that timeline has now officially been pushed back to early 2026. I think many airline executives were already anticipating this, but Boeing is now even admitting this publicly.
The plane has been delayed for a variety of reasons, ranging from production issues, to engine issues, to certification issues, to the pandemic, to striking workers.
Going back several years, the Boeing 777X was supposed to complete its first test flight in mid-2019, but that ended up being pushed back to early 2020. This delay was due to issues with the GE9X General Electric engines on the plane. These are the largest engines ever on a commercial plane, though they were having durability problems, causing a delay in certification.
That wasn’t the only issue, though — during the 777X certification process, a door also blew off during a stress test (hopefully not due to missing bolts!). But that was only the start of the issues. Then Boeing had its first round of issues with the 737 MAX, when two of the jets had fatal crashes. That doesn’t even account for Boeing’s production quality issues earlier this year, which caused new senior leadership to be appointed. Now Boeing is dealing with striking workers.
I think most people aren’t surprised by this development, but it sure is disappointing. Heck, I’d be delighted if the early 2026 timeline even sticks. Something tells me that’s even highly optimistic, given everything going on at Boeing.
Why the 777X delay matters for passengers
It’s not just airlines that should care about Boeing 777X delivery delays, but passengers should as well. Delivery delays with the 777X have greatly messed up fleet planning at many airlines. Airlines order planes with specific strategies in mind, and a delay of five or more years sure messes things up.
Several airlines intend to use the Boeing 777X as their new flagship aircraft, and will introduce new cabins on these planes. In some cases they’ve even had to change their plans. For example:
- Emirates will be installing its new first class on the 777X, which is otherwise only available on fewer than a dozen 777-300ERs; the planes will also be getting a new business class, which is long overdue for the 777
- Cathay Pacific was going to debut its new Aria Suites business class on the 777X, but is now retrofitting existing 777-300ERs with this product; the airline will still debut its new Halo Suites first class on this jet
- Singapore Airlines is expected to debut both a new first and business class product on its 777Xs, and details of this haven’t yet been revealed
- Qatar Airways is expected to launch a new first class on the 777X, in addition to offering its refreshed Qsuites business class
- Lufthansa was going to debut its new Allegris first class and Allegris business class on the 777X, but due to the delays, this is now being installed on A350s and 787s first
Bottom line
The 777X is Boeing’s new flagship wide body aircraft. While the plane was supposed to enter service in 2020, that timeline has been pushed back by several years, and Boeing has now admitted that early 2026 is when the aircraft manufacturer hopes to deliver the first aircraft. This represents yet another delay, as up until now the goal was still 2025.
I can’t say I’m surprised by this development, though it sure is frustrating, both for airlines and for consumers.
When do you think the Boeing 777X will actually enter service?
At the time of writing this post it was noted that: Airbus shares were up 1.66%.
Boeing shares on the other hand were 0.91% down.
On top of that, I for one will avoid the 777-8/777-9 for its first three, four years to allow quality issues to surface by wider use and be addressed.
Singapore Airlines & Qatar should respect consider bringing their planned new product to the 777s they already have in fleet. SQ Biz starting to feel outdated…
Who is to blame for the 777X delay? Boeing's incompetent, overly optimistic management! When it's the third attempt after two failed strategies, chances are the third won't work either, so betting on it is unwise. The 717 model of outsourcing key parts of plane design to suppliers—based on Boeing writing specifications and suppliers paying to play, often initially at a loss if Boeing doesn’t sell enough—was a flawed approach. Instead of managing everything in-house and...
Who is to blame for the 777X delay? Boeing's incompetent, overly optimistic management! When it's the third attempt after two failed strategies, chances are the third won't work either, so betting on it is unwise. The 717 model of outsourcing key parts of plane design to suppliers—based on Boeing writing specifications and suppliers paying to play, often initially at a loss if Boeing doesn’t sell enough—was a flawed approach. Instead of managing everything in-house and assuming the risk, they repeated the same mistake with the 787. Aiming to capitalize on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 787 ended up $20 billion over budget and delayed by three years. Airbus could laugh all the way to the bank with their A330 family. If the 787 hadn’t been such a flop, the A330 wouldn’t have sold so well. And now, with the 777X, Boeing is still making the same mistake.
the 717 was a McDonnell Douglas product built on its own assembly line. It just ended up w/ the Boeing name because Boeing thought they could still sell more of them.
The world needs Airbus and Boeing but Boeing has done the best job possible to help Airbus overcome its historic underdog position in widebodies.
The MAX has been a disaster but Boeing is at least producing some of them.
The problem for Boeing...
the 717 was a McDonnell Douglas product built on its own assembly line. It just ended up w/ the Boeing name because Boeing thought they could still sell more of them.
The world needs Airbus and Boeing but Boeing has done the best job possible to help Airbus overcome its historic underdog position in widebodies.
The MAX has been a disaster but Boeing is at least producing some of them.
The problem for Boeing is that they do have contracts w/ airlines and these repeated delays cost it in customer compensation which typically means reduced costs for new orders - so Boeing keeps eroding its future revenue streams even as it runs up high costs now while not generating the revenues necessary to support its costs.
At some point, Boeing has to stop making promises it can't keep which means delivering quality product first.
That's what's expected from a company that regards human life as less valuable than the demands of some anonymous hedge funds screaming for more direct profitability. In the end, every organization is about its biggest asset: its human capital. Those with the competence and capabilities, those that carry the work culture and the ethics, those that actually make the money for the shareholders. But American companies have long forgotten that part. Employees are regarded a...
That's what's expected from a company that regards human life as less valuable than the demands of some anonymous hedge funds screaming for more direct profitability. In the end, every organization is about its biggest asset: its human capital. Those with the competence and capabilities, those that carry the work culture and the ethics, those that actually make the money for the shareholders. But American companies have long forgotten that part. Employees are regarded a nuisance, a costly and annoyingly vocal part that should be disposed of as much as possible and certainly shouldn't be given any rights! Hence the scandals about planes just dropping out of the sky or falling apart: those were just accidents waiting to happen. And now a lot of layoffs and delays as a result, in addition to the fundamental damage to the company's reputation.
I really do hope that Boeing survives and will come out of this as a better company. At least one that has some good work ethics and a healthy respect for (human) life again. Because potential alternatives like COMAC or an Airbus monopoly aren't very tempting either, I'd say. But looking at how the strike is developing, I seriously doubt if it will happen.
I'm sure most people myself included are wondering how TC is reacting.
"If iT's boEInG, i aIN't GoINg!"
737s have a great track record (apart from the recent issues with -MAX) as do have 747s and I believe 767s.
Do they still manufacture 777-300er?
They do, although if memory serves the only orders on the books at the moment are for the 777F. Will be interesting to see if any airlines decide to convert their orders to the older variant, knowing there are more efficient planes in the works. In reality probably few of the operators with the 777-300ER have planes “on deaths door” so to speak, so they can afford to wait but not expand.
How long did it take to build Rome? How long did it take to build the pyramids?
How long did it take for Rome and the pyramids to take off and reach 40.000ft?
Indeed, we rest our case.
;)
good thing that most of the 777X customers have ordered the A350 and Airbus is delivering them.
The 767 is also coming to an end.
let's also not forget that MAX deliveries are halted because of Boeing's strike.
Boeing is in serious trouble and it is getting worse.
It is interesting that some airlines think they are too big to fail but don't realize how much damage Boeing is doing to the...
good thing that most of the 777X customers have ordered the A350 and Airbus is delivering them.
The 767 is also coming to an end.
let's also not forget that MAX deliveries are halted because of Boeing's strike.
Boeing is in serious trouble and it is getting worse.
It is interesting that some airlines think they are too big to fail but don't realize how much damage Boeing is doing to the world's airlines.
Boeing won't fail - it will be nationalized first - but the impact to the airline industry will take decades to overcome.
way better than living in a world with only Airbus as a monopoly on long haul aircraft, I can tell you that much... what a bizarre take
all that is bizarre is that you construed what I said to what you wrote.
I didn't say that it is good to have a monopoly regardless of who it is.
I did say that there are some airline people that say that their airline is too big to fail and yet Boeing is slow failing and it is doing enormous damage to many airlines around the world.
and Boeing is producing the 787 through well below promised levels.
Ed Bastian kisses Guillaume Faury's butt.
Tim Dunn kisses Ed Bastian's butt.
Tim Dunn therefore kisses Guillaume Faury's butt.
Boeing ain't alone. Just ask any airline about XLR deliveries.
That's not a great analogy, as the -XLR has received its certification and is due for delivery in less than a month.
Most manufacturers run into teething problems with new models, particularly when they're building machines as complex as large commercial aircraft. Airbus may have had its share of manufacturing and certification issues, but those pale into insignificance when compared to the absolutely nightmarish basket-case that the 777X program has become. One has to wonder at if contractual delivery delay penalties will mean that Boeing has to give away the first couple hundred airframes at a loss?
Most manufacturers run into teething problems with new models, particularly when they're building machines as complex as large commercial aircraft. Airbus may have had its share of manufacturing and certification issues, but those pale into insignificance when compared to the absolutely nightmarish basket-case that the 777X program has become. One has to wonder at if contractual delivery delay penalties will mean that Boeing has to give away the first couple hundred airframes at a loss?
I've stated this before and will state it again... I will NOT fly ANY Boeing product produced after 2000. Their planes are a SAFETY HAZARD! Will only fly Airbus aircraft from now on!!
I think we all got it. Have a good time and enjoy your Airbus trips :)
You can state it even a 1000 times. And still nobody cares.
@Josh
Good, you'll struggle a lot while flying within the US, Japan, etc.
Actually please avoid Boeing planes so I can enjoy emptier Boeing plane rides.
"The plane has been delayed for a variety of reasons, ranging from production issues, to engine issues, to certification issues, to the pandemic, to striking workers."
Sorry Ben, the "Pandemic" was a useful issue to try to give them time.
Hopefully I'm wrong but in my opinion, that A/C will only serve Airshows and it smell's the end, even at Airshows.
While not as popular as the A350 and 787, the 777-9 still has more orders than its closest competitor, the A350-1000. It would not surprise me if the order count went up even further after delivery. I mean, even after the extensive delays (due to various reasons), airlines are still keeping their orders. Maybe flight test data is showing that the 777X will perform great.
order books mean absolutely nothing if what is ordered is not being delivered.
While true, I'm not sure that's the best gauge of appeal, as the plurality of the 779's orders (42%) are from just a single airline: Emirates, who has yet to (but hinted at an impending) order for the A35K.
It's also worth noting that the A35K has double the amount of individual customers as the 779.
absolutely.
The 777X is this century's A380... it has broad appeal for very few carriers other than the a couple Middle East carriers.
"this century's A380" ? Nah, more appropriate to the B787 family.
The B787-3 didn't even make it to the production line (cancelled outright) and everything else was delayed by up to four (4) years, cementing it's well-deserved moniker of the "Boeing Late(8)Liner". Whilst Airbus did have delays with the A380, they weren't as bad as Boeing.
the reference to the A380 is not about delays but about the very narrow list of customers and the large orders from them.
Lol, was in Bahrain last month and saw the markings for the “777-9X” on the tarmac. Chuckled to myself as that plane will not be flying for a while!
And with that, this contraption will now take the record from launch-to-EIS, from Concorde!
It literally took less time to develop a supersonic airliner from scratch, on slide-rules and drawing boards, in the 1960s before the first pocket calculator was even invented...
...than for Boeing to update the wings + engines of the existing 777 platform, in the 20freaking20s. Wow.
The Saturn V was developed in a shorter amount of time, starting from scratch, including the earlier Saturn I stages, compared to Boeing, which only modified the 777 to create the 777X, yet is taking even longer. Those were the good old days when engineers pulled all-nighters to perfect designs, knowing the future was bright and the nation’s progress depended on their work. But what’s happening at Boeing today? Golden parachutes for executives? A $64...
The Saturn V was developed in a shorter amount of time, starting from scratch, including the earlier Saturn I stages, compared to Boeing, which only modified the 777 to create the 777X, yet is taking even longer. Those were the good old days when engineers pulled all-nighters to perfect designs, knowing the future was bright and the nation’s progress depended on their work. But what’s happening at Boeing today? Golden parachutes for executives? A $64 million retirement package for the CEO who oversaw two 737 Max crashes.
Boeing death spiral?
Boeing Will Cut 17,000 Jobs in Bid to Slash Costs NYT https://archive.ph/WQY0t
>A new chief executive is restructuring the aerospace manufacturer, which has been losing money for several years while struggling to improve production quality.
Qantas dodged a bullet not buying this
Too late. Qantas already caught the Joyce bullet and is reputationally dead in the eyes of Australians.
+1
Joyce's fanatical obsession with cost-cutting demoralised staff and destroyed the customer experience. Qantas must thank their lucky stars for the legions of rusted-on slaves to their very ordinary loyalty program, who will always fly with them by choice and pay what is often a considerably higher fare than their competitors just to warn point and/or "status". Silly, isn't it?