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Boeing 777X completes first flight

The new Boeing 777X jetliner on January 25 made its first flight, lasting three hours and 51 minutes, taking off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field. Boeing explains the 777X is based on the 777 with proven technologies from the 787 Dreamliner.

“The 777X flew beautifully, and today’s testing was very productive,” said Capt. Van Chaney, 777/777X chief pilot for Boeing Test & Evaluation. “Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can’t wait to go fly your airplane again.”

The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days. Boeing explains the test fleet, which began ground testing in Everett last year, will go through a comprehensive series of tests and conditions on the ground and in the air over the coming months to demonstrate the safety and reliability of the design.

Boeing states the 777X will deliver 10 per cent lower fuel use and emissions and 10 per cent lower operating costs than the competition through advanced aerodynamics, carbon-fiber composite wing and GE Aviation’s GE9X engine.

Boeing expects to deliver the first 777X in 2021. The program has won 340 orders and commitments from carriers around the world, including ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. Since its launch in 2013, the 777X family has outsold the competition nearly 2 to 1.

The 777X includes the 777-8 and the 777-9, as detailed below:

Seat Count: 777-8: 384 passengers
(typical 2-class) 777-9: 426 passengers

Engine: GE9X, supplied by GE Aviation

Range: 777-8: 8,730 nautical miles (16,170 km)
777-9: 7,285 nautical miles (13,500 km)

Wingspan: Extended: 235 ft, 5 in. (71.8 m)
On ground: 212 ft, 8 in (64.8 m)

Length: 777-8: 229 ft (69.8 m)
777-9: 251 ft, 9 in (76.7 m)