Boeing to Conduct 777X's First Production Flight in April, Document Reveals

• The 777X program is six years delayed and has cost Boeing $15 billion in charges, making this production flight a critical milestone toward certification
• Boeing is testing a Lufthansa-ordered 777-9 at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, with fuel tests underway and engine tests scheduled for later in February
• CEO Kelly Ortberg recently disclosed a potential new issue with the GE Aerospace-made engines, though it is not expected to delay the first delivery planned for next year

Boeing 777X Production Flight Summary

Key Developments

Boeing plans to conduct the first flight of a production 777X aircraft in April 2026, marking significant progress for the severely delayed widebody jet program. The aircraft, a 777-9 variant ordered by Lufthansa in 2013, is currently undergoing fuel tests at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, with engine tests scheduled for later this month.

Financial Impact

The 777X program has accumulated $15 billion in charges and is running six years behind schedule. Despite the extensive delays, Boeing maintains its target for first deliveries in 2026, though CEO Kelly Ortberg recently disclosed potential new issues with engines manufactured by GE Aerospace.

Certification Progress

The upcoming production flight represents a critical milestone for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, which requires testing using production-configured aircraft ready for delivery. The 777X test fleet has logged more flight hours than any other Boeing program, demonstrating the extensive validation process underway.

Market Context

The 777X serves as the successor to Boeing's highly successful 747 and 777 models, complementing the 787 Dreamliner in the company's widebody portfolio for long-haul travel. The aircraft is crucial to Boeing's competitive position against European rival Airbus in the widebody market segment, where Boeing has historically dominated but faces intensifying competition.

Strategic Importance

Lufthansa's 2013 order represents one of the launch customers for this next-generation aircraft, which is essential to Boeing's long-term commercial aviation strategy and recovery from development setbacks.