FAA authorizes next phase of noise testing for Boeing’s delayed 777X program

Lufthansa is set to become the launch customer for the new widebody aircraft after certification by both U.S. and European regulators. The airline has ordered a total of twenty Boeing 777-9 jets and seven Boeing 777-8F freighters for its cargo division.

The road to certification has not been smooth for Boeing. In 2020, an “uncommanded pitch event” caused unexpected nose movement during a test flight, resulting in significant delays. Additional setbacks arose in August 2024 when thrust link failures were detected during flight tests, pausing progress once again. A labor strike later compounded these issues.

To address technical problems discovered during recent testing phases—including fatigue issues in load-bearing components—Boeing redesigned the engine thrust links this spring. These modifications followed a four-month halt in certification work caused by earlier failures.

As of May 2025, demand remains strong for the long-range widebody jet family that includes the 777-8, its freighter variant (777-8F), and the larger-capacity 777-9 model. Orders have come from several airlines worldwide including China Airlines—which recently ordered ten passenger versions of the plane along with four freighters—and Qatar Airways, which placed an order encompassing thirty 777-9s as part of a larger deal involving other widebody models.

Etihad Airways also signed on for a mix of Boeing Dreamliners and new-generation triple-sevens but did not specify quantities per type.

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