Lufthansa Will be the First Airline in World to Operate Boeing 777X

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SEATTLE- American Aerospace Giant Boeing Company announcement naming Lufthansa (LH) as the inaugural operator of the 777-9 (777X) aircraft marks a pivotal development in the aviation industry’s evolution.

Brian West, Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer, made this significant declaration on January 28, 2025, settling previous speculation about Emirates Airline’s (EK) potential position as the first operator, FlightGlobal reported.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Lufthansa Boeing 777X Launch Customer

The German carrier’s path to receiving the first 777-9 involves navigating specific seat certification requirements unique to their aircraft configuration. Despite these technical considerations, Boeing maintains its commitment to the 2026 delivery timeline for the initial aircraft.

The seat certification process operates independently from Boeing’s broader efforts to secure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the 777-9 model.

This distinction highlights the multiple regulatory hurdles the aircraft manufacturer must overcome before the aircraft enters service.

The journey to determining the launch operator has witnessed several shifts. In 2017, FlightGlobal reported Boeing’s announcement of Emirates (EK) displacing Lufthansa as the 777-9 launch customer, though Boeing later retracted any official designation of a launch operator.

The scale of commitment from both airlines underscores the 777X program’s significance in the commercial aviation landscape.

Lufthansa’s order book includes 27 777X aircraft, encompassing both 777-9s and 777-8 Freighters.

Emirates demonstrates even stronger confidence in the program with orders for 205 777X aircraft, positioning it as the largest customer for this new generation of Boeing widebody jets.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Boeing 777X Customers

According to Boeing’s official data, there are 481 units order for 777X from over 13 operators and some from unidentified customers, as of January 2025. Here is the exact table showing orders by various operators:

Here is the table:

Customer Name Country Region Model Series Engine Unfilled Orders

Air India	India	South Asia	777X	GE	10
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.	Japan	East Asia	777X	GE	17
ANA Holdings Inc.	Japan	East Asia	777X	GE	1
British Airways	United Kingdom	Europe	777X	GE	18
Cargolux Airlines International	Luxembourg	Europe	777X	GE	10
Cathay Pacific Airways	China	East Asia	777X	GE	21
Emirates	United Arab Emirates	Middle East	777X	GE	205
Ethiopian Airlines Group	Ethiopia	Africa	777X	GE	8
Etihad Airways	United Arab Emirates	Middle East	777X	GE	25
Lufthansa	Germany	Europe	777X	GE	27
Qatar Airways	Qatar	Middle East	777X	GE	94
Silk Way West Airlines	Azerbaijan	Central Asia	777X	GE	2
Singapore Airlines	Singapore	Southeast Asia	777X	GE	31
Unidentified Customer(s)	Unidentified	Unidentified	777X	GE	12
Grand Total					481

Source: Boeing

Photo: Boeing

Seat Installation Concerns

Boeing faces technical challenges with seat certification for Lufthansa’s aircraft fleet, including both 787s and 777-9s, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Ortberg. The certification process specifically addresses interior monuments incorporating the seats.

The German carrier incorporates new seats from multiple manufacturers into its long-haul aircraft as part of its “Allegris” branded product line. Boeing’s experience with similar seat certification challenges on Lufthansa’s 787s provides valuable insight into resolving these issues.

Ortberg emphasizes that these seat certification matters will not delay the initial 777-9 delivery. He acknowledges the 777X’s interior complexity but confirms this factor has been integrated into the overall certification program timeline, allowing sufficient time to address seat certification requirements.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s certification timeline for the 777-9 remains a critical concern. Boeing temporarily grounded its fleet of four 777-9 test aircraft from August 2023 to January 2024 after discovering fractures in thrust links, which connect engines to the aircraft structure.

Ortberg expresses confidence in resolving the thrust-link issue, though specific details about the solution remain undisclosed. The combination of these technical challenges highlights the complexity of bringing new aircraft variants to market while meeting stringent safety and certification requirements.

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