Boeing Plans First Flight of Production 777X in April
Boeing is heading toward a key milestone in one of the most complex programs in its recent history. According to an internal company document accessed by Reuters, the American manufacturer plans to conduct the first flight of a production 777X aircraft in April. This represents a concrete sign of progress for an aircraft that has accumulated six years of delays and $15 billion in associated development charges.
This is a significant step. It is a core requirement within the certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and an indicator that Boeing is looking to clear one of the program’s most critical bottlenecks. The first delivery is currently scheduled for next year.
Testing in Everett: The Lufthansa 777X Takes the Stage
The aircraft involved in this phase belongs to Lufthansa, the launch customer for the 777-9, the primary variant of the 777X program. According to the document, Boeing is currently performing fuel tests on the aircraft at Paine Field, Everett (Washington), where these wide-body jets are assembled. These tests are a preliminary step ahead of engine trials scheduled for later this month.
A Reuters reporter observed the aircraft at one of the airport’s fuel docks on Tuesday, reinforcing the accuracy of the timeline described in the internal document. Lufthansa placed its order in 2013, the same year Boeing officially launched the 777X program, according to data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium. More than a decade later, that aircraft is once again playing a central role—this time as a certification platform.
→ Boeing Breaks Quarterly Loss Streak: Jeppesen Sale Momentum and Delivery Rebound Mark Year-End
Certification: A Challenge Still Unresolved
Despite this progress, the regulatory path remains demanding. The 777X has already accumulated more test flight hours than any other program in Boeing’s history, a fact that illustrates both the depth of the effort and the technical complexity of the aircraft.
However, the FAA requires that a portion of the trials be conducted using production aircraft configured as if they were ready for delivery, rather than solely with dedicated test flight aircraft. In this context, Boeing confirmed that some production planes will participate in tests that do not require exclusive flight test instrumentation, thereby complementing the dedicated test fleet. The company declined to comment specifically on the aircraft in question or the contents of the document, limiting itself to a general statement through a spokesperson.
A Strategic Program Under Competitive Pressure
The 777X is designed as the natural successor to the 747 and the classic 777—two of the most successful aircraft in Boeing’s history—and as a complement to the 787 Dreamliner within the wide-body portfolio for long-haul routes.
For decades, Boeing dominated this segment. Today, that leadership faces increasingly intense competition from Airbus, in a market where industrial reliability, delivery timelines, and regulatory certification carry as much weight as technical performance.
GE Aerospace Engines: A New Point of Focus
A recent development has been added to this scenario. Last week, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg revealed the existence of a potential new issue regarding the 777X engines, developed by GE Aerospace.
According to Ortberg, the issue should not alter the plan to deliver the first 777X next year. Nevertheless, it introduces an additional variable into a program that has already proven to be highly sensitive to any technical or regulatory deviation.
The first flight of a production 777X will mark a real turning point, but not the end of the road. For Boeing, April will be more than just a date on the calendar. It will be a test of industrial and regulatory credibility for an aircraft destined to sustain the company’s presence in the long-haul market for decades to come.
Related Topics
SAS Negotiates Major Widebody Aircraft Order with Airbus and Boeing
Emirates Eyes Hypothetical Airbus A350-2000 While Pushing for Larger Widebody Jets
Tigerair Taiwan Bets on the A321neo, Redefining Regional Growth Strategy
Qantas Debuts Airbus A220 on International Operations with Wellington Flight
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.