Boeing 777 8 and Boeing 777 9

Building on the outstanding success of the Boeing 777 model, Boeing in November 2013 kicked off the project to design and build a modernised and vastly improved variant of this aircraft. The new design initially designated, Boeing 777X, is offered in two variants, the Boeing 777 8 and the Boeing 777 9. Much like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was referred to as the Boeing 7E7 during its design phase, the 777X is now marketed as the 777-8 and the 777-9 and was offered to market from May 2013.

Boeing 777X Folding Wingtips

The design for the 777 9 which will be the launch variant was finalised on 03 September 2015. This was after tirelessly consulting with customers and suppliers to arrive at final design parameters which will be carried forward to the targeted launch date sometime in 2020.

The 777X will benefit from new technologies that have been brought about in the creation of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

The Boeing 777X will have folding wing-tips when not in flight so that airport gates will not have to be modified.

Improvements that will be evident to the travelling public will come in the form of a modernised cabin with features such as larger windows, a wider cabin and improved lighting.

Boeing 777X Operating Economy

Airlines will be very keen to note the vast improvement in operating costs of this Boeing 777 jet. The fuel-saving over its nearest competitors is expected to be around 12 per cent. In addition, a 10 per cent improvement in operating costs is expected through standardisation of parts etc.

How are these savings made possible?

The Boeing 777X will be using a higher proportion of composite materials in construction than the current model, in line with improvements in technology.

777X_forward_section — The Boeing 777X will use much of the new technology of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner such as noise reduction engine nacelles and scimitar wingtips.

This will reduce weight and increase strength. The Boeing 777X will also be using the worlds most advanced jet engine, namely the General Electric GE9X. This engine is expected to deliver a 5 per cent increase in efficiency, which will contribute to the lower operating cost.

It’s about the wing.

The wing of the Boeing 777X will be remarkably different to any found on a current commercial aircraft. Boeing has come up with a way to compromise between giving the aircraft a larger wingspan and thereby improving lift with the resultant saving in fuel, whilst at the same time not impacting upon the aircraft’s ability to use standard width gates at airports. The wing shape itself is similar to that of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the Boeing 747 8 in that it has a sabre like raked tip as opposed to winglets. The remarkable piece, however, is that the outer 3.15 metres (10 feet 4 inches) of each wing has the ability to fold upwards, much like fighter planes on an aircraft carrier, when the aircraft is not in flight. This means that when the aircraft is given take-off clearance, the wing-tips are deployed, setting them in the down and locked position. Conversely, on landing, the aircraft will raise the tips as it leaves the runway so that obstructions on either side of the taxiway are not struck and of course the aircraft can fit into the terminal gate area.

Boeing wowed the crowds at the 2021 Dubai airshow with some very impressive flying of the Boeing 777X -9. Just look at the size of those engines.

The two variants of the Boeing 777X on offer, the 777 8 and 777 9, will enable versatility for airlines, matching passenger volumes and route distance as required. The Boeing 777 8 which will compete directly with the Airbus A350 1000, will carry around 350 passengers over a distance of 17,220 KM (9,300 NM).

The Boeing 777 9 will carry in excess of 400 passengers over a distance of 15,185 KM (8,200 NM).

The significant payload and range increases will enable 777X to outperform the Airbus A350.

Check out this video from Boeing explaining the features of the ground breaking wing-tip technology.

The 777X is slated for service entry in 2020. As with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, there will be design changes along the way, and there will of course be new technology that we currently know nothing about. Come back from time to time to see updates.

Boeing wowed the crowds with the high performance demonstration display of the Boeing 777X abilities at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021.

Boeing 777-8 and 777-9 Time Line.

Date	Event
2010-2011	Boeing responded to the updated Airbus A350 with 3 777X models targeted for design firming up by 2015 and first flight in 2018/19. Entry into service is targeted for 2019.
March 2013	Boeing selects the GE9X with a 335CM(132IN) fan.
01 May 2013	Boeing’s board approves the selling of the 777LX to replace the 777-300ER from 2021.
18 September 2013	Lufthansa becomes the launch customer of the 777-9X with 34 orders.
November 2013	At the Dubai air show the 777-8X was launched. The 259 orders and commitments amounting to US$95 Billion at list, was the largest launch by monetary value ever.
November 2013	At the Dubai air show, the “X” designator was dropped from the 777 model names.
December 2014	Boeing begins construction of a new 367,000sq ft composite facility in St. Louis.
August 2015	Final design of the 777-9 is locked down with a target introduction of December 2019, brought forward from 2020.
June 2017	Lufthansa considered delaying their order and reduced it down to 20 airframes in favour of more Airbus A350s. This pushed Emirates who had the largest order of 150 into the launch airline position.
September 2017	First assembly of the wing test example, with the top section lowered onto a jig for drilling.
November 2017	90% of engineering drawings are released.
February 2018	Subaru (ex Fuji Heavy Industries) completes the first wing-box constructed of aluminium/titanium complete with landing gear wheel wells in Handa, Japan.
February 2018	Wing components were ready to go through Boeing’s own assembly plant with advise from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries who were the manufacturers of the 787 composite wings. This is the first time that Boeing has not outsourced this work.
February 2018	Sub-fuselage sections were shipped. Centre wing box from Subaru, centre and forward fuselage panels from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and aft fuselage panels from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
March 2018	Assembly starts on the first 777-9 fuselage.
May 2018	The F.A.A. approves the folding composite wing tips.
November 2018	Final body join of the first test aircraft completed.
November 2018	Electric systems were powered on for the first time.
December 2018	Primary systems installed.
January 2019	Engines installed.
February 2019	First Lufthansa 777-9 body join completed for projected delivery in the northern summer 2020.
29 May 2019	First run up of the engines installed on the prototype. A compressor problem was found on a pre-delivered engine and the June 26 maiden flight was delayed pending engine certification.
24 July 2019	Boeing announced the engine issues would delay the maiden flight until 2020, although they still are targeting early 2020 for first deliveries.
05 September 2019	Under FAA scrutiny a static test pressurising the aircraft beyond normal operating conditions caused a cargo door to blow off. This is being investigated for correction.
18 October 2019	The first GE9X certified engine arrived at Boeing.
25 January 2020	Boeing 777x registration WH-001 makes its first test flight from Paine Field.
November 2021	The Boeing 777X wows crowds at the Dubai airshow followed by visits to Doha and Frankfurt, home of other propective large customers.