The 777X final body join. (Boeing)
Boeing has assembled the main fuselage of its first 777X-series aircraft. Its destined to be a 777-9X with a first flight scheduled for 2019 before a targeted 2020 delivery.
The 777X is a new series joining the Boeing 777 family with new avionics and General Electric GE9X engines. Qatar Airways will be the launch customer for the initial 777-9. There will be 777-8, -9, and -10 variants of the plane, and there are currently over 300 firm orders in place from a number of different operators.
777X will include a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion flight deck adapted for commercial use with touch-screen displays from the same company. Rockwell is also the display provider for Boeing’s other current-generation platforms, including the Dreamliner series and 737 MAX. Other systems on the 777X will be provided by companies including GE, Thales and Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen.
The 777-9, which this first fuselage will be, can hold 400 to 425 passengers. It has a 7,600 nautical mile range, and Boeing claims 12% lower fuel consumption and 10% lower operating costs than competing aircraft.
The first 777X test airplane for static ground testing was completed in September. Boeing plans to build three additional flight test, airplanes after the 777X’s first flight next year, the company said.