The Boeing 777X is a twin-aisle aircraft being developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the new upgraded version in the Boeing 777 family and was launched at the Dubai Airshow in November 2013.
It will be developed in two variants known as 777-8X and 777-9X, which will be designed according to the market needs and customer preferences. The Boeing 777-8X will be a replacement of the 777-300ER version while Boeing 777-9X will be an expanded variant.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The first flight of the Boeing 777X aircraft is expected in 2019. Production of the aircraft began in 2017 and the first delivery to be completed by 2020. The aircraft is expected to face competition from the Airbus A350XWB.
Boeing began construction of a new 777X Composite Wing Centre at the Everett in Washington in October 2014. The $1bn centre will accommodate three of the world’s largest autoclaves.
Boeing 777X aircraft design
The detailed design of Boeing 777X will be carried out by Boeing engineering teams based at Charleston, Huntsville, Long Beach, Philadelphia and St Louis, US, with the assistance of Boeing Design Centre in Moscow. The aircraft design will be based on the previous proven and reliable versions manufactured by Boeing. The detailed design was ready by 2016.
Related content
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Long-Range, Mid-Size Airliner, United States of America
Boeing launched the new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner passenger aircraft in 2003. The 787 family of aircraft, in the 200 to 300-seat class, will carry passengers non-stop on routes between 6,500km and 16,000km at speeds up to Mach 0.85.
The Boeing 777X will offer the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane, claims Boeing. It will be designed to be the most advanced and fuel-efficient commercial airplane, thanks to its fuel-efficient commercial engine and environment-friendly emission standards that considerably reduce the carbon dioxide emissions.
The body of the aircraft will be built of advanced aluminium-lithium alloy. The foldable wingtips will draw in just more than 10ft on each side when folded upward. The wingspan will 72m, whereas the length will be 70m for the 777-8X and 77m for the 777-9X.
Flight deck and avionics of the Boeing commercial plane
The Boeing 777X will import a number of flight deck and flight control systems from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The 38.3cm flight deck display will be similar to that of the 787.
777X aircraft cabin
The cabin of the 777X will be spacious with larger windows, new lighting and new architecture. The 777-8X will accommodate 350 to 375 people, while the 777-9X will have 400 to 425 seats.
Engine and performance
The Boeing 777-9X will be powered by two GE9X engines manufactured by GE Aviation. Each engine will provide 99,500lb of thrust. It will have a range of 8,200nm (15,185km) and a maximum take-off weight of 344t.
The 777-8X will be powered by two GE9X engines each providing 88,000lb of thrust. It will have a range of up to 9,300nm (17,220km) and maximum take-off weight of 315t.
Boeing 777X orders and deliveries
Emirates Airlines placed a $55.6bn order comprising 150 Boeing 777X aircraft, including 115 Boeing 777-9X and 35 Boeing 777-8X at the Dubai Airshow in November 2013. Boeing also received orders for 50 aircraft from Qatar Airways and 25 aircraft from Etihad Airways. Lufthansa Airlines also ordered for 34 777X aircraft.
Cathay Pacific gave an order worth $7.48bn to supply 21 Boeing 777-9X aircraft in December 2013. The aircraft deliveries are expected to be completed between 2021 and 2024.
Boeing received an $18.6bn contract from International Airlines Group for the delivery of 42 777X aircraft in February 2019. The order includes a firm contract for 18 aircraft and options for 24 additional aircraft.
As of February 2019, Boeing received orders for 358 777X aircraft worth more than $100bn from eight international airlines worldwide.
Contractors and suppliers involved
Japan Aircraft Development Corporation (JADC) and five other Japanese companies, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), ShinMaywa Industries (SMIC), and NIPPI Corporation (NIPPI) agreed to participate in the development of Boeing 777X aircraft in June 2014.
Under the agreement, MHI will provide aft fuselages, fuselage tail sections and passenger entry doors while KHI will provide forward and centre fuselages, main landing gear wheel wells, cargo doors and pressure bulkheads.
The centre-wing section and its integration with the main landing gear wheel wells, main landing gear doors and forward wing-to-body fairings will be provided by FHI, with SMIC providing centre and aft wing-to-body fairings. NIPPI will supply wing components for the aircraft.
Héroux-Devtek was awarded a contract to provide complete landing gear systems for the Boeing 777X aircraft, in December 2013.
In July 2014, BAE Systems was awarded a contract to provide electronics for the 777X flight control system.
