The Boeing 777X, the latest in widebody commercial aircraft, is set to be the largest twin-engine aircraft ever flown. It builds on the previous generation 777-300ER with new engines, larger windows, and extensive use of lightweight composite materials. Integrating technologies from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, it maintains a speed similar to other widebody aircraft.
"The reality of physics confines the Boeing 777X to the same speed range as its widebody counterparts," according to experts. Conventional tube-and-wing aircraft are designed as transonic jets, requiring significant engineering advances for supersonic flight.
The Boeing 777X will come in two variants: the 777-8 and the stretched 777-9. These models have seating capacities of 395 and 426 passengers respectively. The folding wingtip is one notable innovation that allows compliance with airport regulations while providing high-span efficiency.