Boeing’s latest widebody, the 777X, is expected to enter service in 2021. With the most powerful engines to date, the largest capacity of any twin-engine jet and efficient long-range operation, it promises a lot. It is a competitive battle with Airbus, but the 777X will undoubtedly be an attractive aircraft for all long haul airlines, bringing about significant changes in their operations.
Introducing the Boeing 777X
The Boeing 777 has been the best selling wide plane to date. But, 25 years after its launch, it must be replaced and it’s no surprise that Boeing is upgrading it instead of introducing a new model. The Boeing 777X made test flights in 2020 and is scheduled to go into operation in 2021 with Emirates.
There will be two versions of the 777X, the 777-9, and the smaller 777-8, with a third option for a currently unplanned ultra-long reach model. The 777-9 extends the 777-300ER’s fuselage to more than 76 meters in length, offering a passenger capacity of up to 426 (in a two-class configuration, according to Boeing data). But it is much more than just an upgraded 777 aircraft.
More power, but efficient operation
The 777X uses the new General Electric GE9X engines. These are the largest and most powerful commercial engines ever built. They are larger than the 737’s fuselage and will provide 105,000 lb / f of thrust.
Despite their larger size, these engines are lighter than the GE90 engines on the 777 (mainly due to less fan blades and use of carbon fiber composite materials). And, in general, the 777X is about 20% more efficient than the 777-300ER and about 10% more efficient (both in fuel usage and operating cost) than its Airbus competitor, the A350-1000 (according to with Boeing data).
High reach and ability to operate at more airports
A characteristic addition to the 777X are the folding wing tips. The 777X has a huge wingspan of 71.75 meters, which helps its efficiency, but can limit its operation at airports. The solution is to make the wingtips bend when on the ground. This reduces the wingspan to just under 65 meters, almost the same as the 777.
This keeps the 777X in the second largest of the six groups defined by the FAA Airplane Design Group (ADG). One of the main problems faced by the Airbus A380 is its categorization into the largest group and the limitations that this imposes on the airports where it can operate.
Its range will also position it well in relation to competitor Airbus A350 and Boeing 747, which is retiring. For the 777-9, this is 13,500 kilometers, and for the latter, for the 777-8, it will be 16,170 kilometers.
New freighter option may be coming
Although there are no official plans for a freighter version of the 777X, it can be developed. This would be an excellent boost for the aircraft and probably popular with many airlines.
Boeing dominates the freighter market a lot with its 747 and 777 freighters. With that, and with the lack of technology updates and efficiency of new passenger aircraft, there is great potential for an upgrade. There is certainly room on the market. Boeing says that 1,040 additional widebody freighters will be needed in the next 20 years.
Boeing has discussed in the past the possibility of basing a freighter version on the 777-8 fuselage, and Qatar Airways has expressed interest in becoming the launch customer (at the Pairs Airshow in 2019).
Is the 777X designed for big things?
With claims of efficiency among the best wide-body aircraft, and range and capacity, making it an alternative option for everyone except the A380 with the highest capacity, the 777X could be defined for great deeds. For Boeing operators, it is a potential replacement for the 777 and 747 fleets. If its efficiency meets expectations, it will compete well against the A350 (Simple Flying examined this in more detail in a previous article).
A quick look at sales and orders shows initial success. As of April 2020, 309 777X aircraft have been ordered (according to data from Boeing). With the aviation market slowing down in 2020, Boeing will slow production of these, but delivery is still expected to start in 2021.
This is a solid start for an aircraft that has not yet entered service and can be further improved if a freighter version is developed. In comparison, the latest model of the Boeing 747, the 747-8, has only 47 passenger orders and 107 freighters.
Its main competitor, the Airbus A350, is ahead of orders, but has also been available for a longer time. According to April 2020 Airbus data, 760 A350-900 and 170 larger A350-1000 aircraft were ordered.
What do you think of the Boeing 777X? Do you think it will offer great things to airlines and passengers? Let us know your opinion in the comments.