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The Boeing 777X program, launched in 2013 and once seen as a significant advancement for long-haul aviation, has faced multiple delays and challenges. The aircraft was designed to replace large four-engine jets with a more efficient twin-engine model, promising airlines improved fuel efficiency and increased passenger capacity. Early interest was strong, with over 550 orders from major carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.
Key features of the 777X include a two-class seating capacity of around 400–426 passengers and an advanced composite wing equipped with folding wingtips. These wingtips allow for an extended wingspan during flight while maintaining compatibility with existing airport gates on the ground. The jet is powered by the GE9X engine, developed specifically for this program to provide greater fuel savings on long-haul routes.
However, several factors have contributed to repeated delays. Technical issues emerged during testing, including cracks found in a critical engine-mount component that led to grounding of the test fleet in 2024–2025 while Boeing worked on repairs and additional validation. Regulatory agencies, responding to both new design elements like folding wingtips and increased scrutiny following previous incidents involving other Boeing models, required special certification processes that further slowed progress.
