Lufthansa will have the honor of receiving the world’s first Boeing 777-9, the manufacturer’s CFO, Brian West, assured this week.
The title of launch customer for the new widebody raised doubts since Emirates Airline was also mentioned as the aircraft’s debutant.
The confirmation came on Tuesday during the 4th quarter earnings conference where Boeing revealed that it had a loss of US$ 11.8 billion in 2024, almost the same level as 2020, amid the pandemic.
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The 777X program is a headache for the US company, which had hoped to put it into service in 2021.
Project delays, including problems with the massive GE9X engine and the FAA’s change of heart toward Boeing after the 737 MAX crashes, have complicated the aircraft’s development.
A new problem arose last year: the thrust mounts on the engines showed structural damage and had to be redesigned.
One of the four prototypes returned to flight days ago after being repaired, and the certification program has resumed.
Certification in 2026
Boeing is still betting that it will obtain FAA type certification in time to deliver the first 777-9 to Lufthansa in 2026, which has 20 firm orders for the variant.
The 777X will reach a very different market from when it was launched. Created as a more efficient alternative to large widebodies such as the 747 and A380, the aircraft can carry around 430 passengers in two classes and over very long distances.
It remains to be seen whether this profile still has such high demand among airlines.
