Ugh! I don’t think this should come as a surprise, but Boeing has just revealed that the delivery of the first 777X has been delayed until the end of 2023. Now we have seen the schedule being postponed from 2020, to 2021, to 2022, until the end of 2023.
What is the Boeing 777X?
For those unfamiliar, the Boeing 777X is the latest version of the Boeing 777. It will come in two variants – the 777-8 and 777-9 – and the planes are longer in range and larger than the existing 777s (and larger than 787, which are also popular).
With there is clearly no longer a market for airplanes like the A380 and 747-8 (even before the pandemic), this is likely to be the largest new aircraft we see manufactured in the next decade.
Boeing 777-9
The Boeing 777X has already been delayed
The entry into service of the Boeing 777X has already suffered a significant delay. First, the plane was delayed due to production problems, and then the plane was delayed due to the pandemic.
To put it in context, the Boeing 777X was supposed to complete its first test flight in mid-2019, but this ended up being postponed to early 2020. This delay was due to problems with the GE9X General Electric engines on the plane. These are the largest engines ever on a commercial aircraft, although they were experiencing durability problems, causing a delay in certification.
However, that was not the only problem – during the 777X certification process, a door also exploded during a stress test.
Then, in July 2020, it was announced that deliveries of the Boeing 777X would be delayed until 2022. It seemed that this was not due to problems with the aircraft, but due to renegotiations with airline customers, given the state of the industry.
Rendering of Lufthansa Boeing 777-9
Boeing postpones deliveries of 777X until the end of 2023
Now it has been revealed that Boeing 777X deliveries will not start until the end of 2023, at least. Boeing says the updated schedule is due to the following factors:
- An updated assessment of global certification requirements
- Boeing’s latest assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 on market demand
- Discussions with customers regarding aircraft delivery time
Boeing says it remains confident in the 777X. Ultimately, this update is hardly a surprise. Emirates recently revealed that it would delay deliveries of the 777X until 2023.
Emirates is the aircraft’s largest customer, so that raised the question of whether deliveries of the 777X would be delayed entirely or if only Emirates could renegotiate its contract.
Rendering of the Emirates Boeing 777-9
Why the 777X delay is important to passengers
Understandably, airlines have more important priorities than the passenger experience now, although I still feel the need to mention one of the often overlooked implications of a further delay on the Boeing 777X.
Many airlines would use the 777X as their flagship new aircraft and introduce all new cabins on these planes. For example:
The new Lufthansa business class, debuting at 777-9
Result
Boeing does not expect to deliver its first 777X until the end of 2023, at the very least. Boeing realized that increasing the production of this aircraft during the current pandemic may be a futile effort. This occurs after several airlines have renegotiated delivery schedules.
This is a very significant delay. With the previous schedule delayed, deliveries are expected to begin sometime in 2022, while deliveries will now begin at least in 2023, potentially representing a delay of nearly two years.
Hopefully, the new schedule reflects when passenger demand will actually recover, so that airlines are once again in a position to receive new planes.
Are you surprised to see Boeing delaying deliveries of the 777X until the end of 2023?