Boeing Says It’s Spent More Time Flight Testing The 777X Than Any Other Aircraft

The aviation world is full of anticipation regarding the introduction of the Boeing 777X. While this is still a couple of years off, with the program having faced numerous setbacks along the way, that isn’t to say that the US manufacturer hasn’t been working hard on its new widebody. Indeed, flight testing has been extensive.

Getting the hours in

Flight testing is a key part of the development of any new airliner. This is particularly imperative for aircraft such as the 777X that feature a great deal of new technology onboard, such as the type’s famous folding wingtips. Luckily, the company hasn’t shied away from getting its first 777X aircraft into the skies, with Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal recently telling Aviation Week that:

“We’re over 1,100 flights on the program already and 3,200 [flight] hours, so we’ve put more time on this airframe and engine combination than any other airplane in history [in terms of Boeing pre-certification flight tests].”

Photo: Boeing

Of course, flight testing is far from over, but Boeing is encouraged by what it has seen from the 777X so far. Meanwhile, the American planemaker is also looking forward to the next steps of this aspect of the type’s development program, including an ETOPS-geared segment. Aviation Week quotes Deal as stating:

“The performance is looking good in terms of the fuel burn and system functionality. (…) We are also working to prepare engines for the [extended twin-engine operations] test phase, which will be an important phase of the program.”

The introduction is planned for 2025

These phases, and indeed the Boeing 777X’s flight testing program as a whole, will play a key role in ensuring that the type meets its planned introduction date. As Simple Flying covered last month, the first delivery of the new widebody is currently set to take place in 2025. This is subject to further work with aviation regulators such as the FAA, with a Boeing spokesperson telling Simple Flying that:

“We continue to work closely with global regulators on all aspects of the 777X development, including our rigorous test program. Our team remains focused on executing this comprehensive series of tests and conditions on the ground and in the air to demonstrate the safety, reliability, and performance of the airplane.”

Photo: Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock

Boeing will certainly hope that it achieves this goal, considering the various delays that have already plagued the 777X’s development program. As Simple Flying reported in July of this year, these have led to estimated abnormal production costs of some $1 billion, including $262 million in the first half of 2023 alone.

A key Dubai order for the type

The Boeing 777X has also been the subject of one of the main stories from the first day of this year’s Dubai Airshow, with UAE flag carrier Emirates adding 90 examples of the type to its existing order book. This figure comprises 55 examples of the larger 777-9 model and 35 units of the smaller 777-8. As a result, Emirates now has a grand total of 205 Boeing 777X jets in its order book.

What do you make of the Boeing 777X’s extensive flight testing program? Are you excited about the type’s forthcoming introduction? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Aviation Week