SEATTLE- Boeing’s long-awaited 777X program faces yet another delay, with the aircraft’s entry into service now pushed back to 2027, missing its previous mid-2026 target. The delay affects multiple global carriers that have structured their fleet renewal plans around this widebody jet.
Originally set to debut in 2020, the Boeing 777X has faced repeated setbacks in certification and production. The latest pushback, reported by Bloomberg, further extends one of the most prolonged development programs in the company’s history.
Photo: Clément AlloingBoeing 777X Launch Delayed to 2027
Launched in 2013, the 777X is Boeing’s next-generation evolution of the 777 series, designed to replace aging long-haul fleets. It will come in two variants—the 777-8 and 777-9—offering greater fuel efficiency, extended range, and higher capacity compared to the current 777-300ER.
Despite its promise, not a single aircraft has entered commercial service after 12 years of development.
Boeing currently holds around 565 firm orders, led by Emirates (EK) with 205 aircraft, followed by Qatar Airways (QR), Lufthansa (LH), All Nippon Airways (NH), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), and Singapore Airlines (SQ).
With large aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8 no longer in production, the 777X could become the largest new passenger aircraft of the next decade.
Photo: Clément AlloingDelays, Costs, and Certification Challenges
The 777X’s development history has been marked by persistent delays and engineering hurdles. Its first test flight, originally planned for mid-2019, was postponed to early 2020 due to issues with the GE9X engines—the largest ever built for a commercial jet. Durability concerns forced redesigns and additional testing.
During structural testing, a door failure incident added further complications. Then came Boeing’s corporate crises, including the 737 MAX grounding, production quality issues in 2024, and a worker strike later that year.
Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg recently admitted that “the mountain of work is still there,” acknowledging the company is “falling behind on certification.” The 777X program has already incurred over $11 billion in cost overruns, with this latest delay estimated to add another $4 billion.
Lufthansa, the launch customer, has confirmed it no longer expects to receive its first jet in 2026.
Photo: Huy Do | JetPhotosImpact on Airline Plans and Passenger Experience
The repeated postponements have disrupted fleet planning across several major carriers. Many had intended to introduce new flagship cabins aboard the 777X, forcing them to adjust their rollout strategies:
- Emirates will debut its new first and business class suites on the 777X, designed to replace the aging A380 fleet.
- Cathay Pacific was set to launch its Aria Suites business class on the 777X but is now retrofitting 777-300ERs instead.
- Lufthansa planned to introduce its Allegris cabins on the 777X but moved the launch to A350s and 787s due to delays.
- Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are developing new first and business class products specifically for the 777X platform.
Each delay forces airlines to revise delivery timelines, financing structures, and passenger product strategies, leading to operational and commercial setbacks.
Photo: BoeingThe Outlook for Boeing’s Flagship Jet
The 777X remains central to Boeing’s widebody strategy, promising improved fuel efficiency and lower operating costs once certified. The company continues flight testing while working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on safety reviews.
If certification stays on track, 2027 may finally mark the jet’s commercial debut. However, after multiple timeline slips, industry observers are watching cautiously.
The 777X’s success—or further delay—will significantly shape Boeing’s position in the long-haul market through the next decade.
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Emirates Cancels New $35 Million Boeing 777X Business Class Plan
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