Lufthansa is set to be the launch customer of the Boeing 777x family, with the first delivery out for 2026. Kelly Ortberg, President and Chief Executive of Boeing, confirmed the details of the delivery. He also acknowledged that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has delayed the “seat certification” for Allegris flights.
The context
Lufthansa Allegris is the airline’s premium cabin upgrade, featured in business and first classes. These cabins include private suites and a gourmet menu. Allegris will be rolled out on Lufthansa Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X flights.
However, deliveries for the first B777X are now five years behind schedule. Boeing faced similar delays regarding the MAX 10, also due to certification delays. Boeing grounded its B777-9 test fleet after they discovered issues surrounding thrust link failures, although Ortberg spoke on their “good handle” on fixing it.
Overall, Boeing has received 540 orders for the B777X family. Emirates are their most active buyer, expecting 35 B777-8s and 170 B777-9s. Despite that, Lufthansa will be getting their hands on the 777Xs first. Lufthansa has ordered 20 Boeing 777-9s.
The Boeing 777X Family
The Boeing 777X Family consists of the B777-8, B777-8F, and the popular B777-9. The three aircraft are an upgraded variant of the B777. The 777Xs feature a new engine design and folding wingtips. However, the key statistic of the 777X variant is its enormous length.
The 777X variant is the longest commercial aircraft, with the -8s fuselage spanning to 229 ft (69.8m). Boeing 777-8s can carry up to 395 passengers. The B777-8F is just a freighter variant, but is able to carry pallets up to 10 ft tall.
The high demand for the B777-9 can be determined due to its fuselage: 251 ft and 8.47 inches long. This allows transport for up to 426 passengers, allowing more customers to travel on selected routes.
Brian J. West, Executive Vice President for Finance and CFO at Boeing, said:
“Flight testing [for the 777X] recently resumed, and we still expect first delivery in 2026, and we will continue to follow the lead of the FAA as we move through certification.”
Lufthansa seem to be growing their influence worldwide, recently making an investment into airBaltic. The upgrade to the 777X family is also taking place after Lufthansa gifted Eurowings a new fleet of Boeing MAX 8s.
Do you have high hopes for the Boeing 777-9? Tell us what you think in the comments!
