Boeing ever closer to 777X certification (and Cathay Pacific orders 14 more)

It was undoubtedly a great week for Boeing. Not only the fifth 777X (which will be delivered to Singapore Airlines) made a test flight by as much as two hours, but the company made in Everett also received a conspicuous order by Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong company ordered 14 other aircraft of this model, for a total of 35 777X purchased. 

Let's go in order. The Boeing 777X represents the latest and most ambitious evolution of the famous 777, one of the American company's most iconic (and best-selling) aircraft models. Officially launched in 2013, the program has undergone numerous delays: the 777-9 version, whose debut was initially planned for 2020, as it is known, will not enter service until next year-unless there are further delays. 

Despite the delays, however, Boeing - in baby steps - is getting closer to the long-awaited goal. Last August 5, 2025, specifically, there was the first flight of the fifth 777X aircraft (marks N2007L): the plane, which took off from Paine Field, flew for two hours and 27 minutes, marking the first flight of the X variant of the triple seven in nearly five years (the last one was in September 2020, ed.).

 

Currently, as Jon Ostrower of The Air Current reports., Boeing entered the fourth stage of the certification process: the Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), focusing on systems demonstration. In total, the 777X certification includes five main stages, with the second stage divided into four sub-stages; these will also be joined by the certification ETOPS.

We come, now, to Cathay Pacific and the order for an additional 14 Boeing 777Xs. It can be said that the Hong Kong-based company has always pointed on the 'triple-seven': for the past 30 years, in fact, different variants of the aircraft have made up the fleet. And towards the 777X the attitude has been no different: back in 2013, the carrier oneWorld ordered a number of specimens Of Boeing's new gem. The next-generation 'triple-sevens,' when delivered by the manufacturer, will thus enable CX to modernize their own fleet.

At this point, however, the question arises: When will deliveries begin? As for Cathay, the first specimens will not arrive before the 2027; alas, we still have to wait for more than a year - barring unforeseen circumstances And further delays.

What is certain is that the wait should pay off, in that not only will the 777Xs feature the new "Aria Suites" -which, initially, were to debut in Boeing's very 'new' aircraft-but also the brand new first-class cabins called "Halo Suites"; little is known about this first class, except that it will be sensational. 

As for the delivery of the very first Boeing 777X, however, the wait will be a bit shorter: Boeing said it is 'confident' that the first specimen will enter service by 2026. The inaugural client, we remind you, will be Lufthansa.

In addition to Cathay and Lufthansa, the other carriers to have ordered the 777X are: Emirates, Qatar, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, British Airways, Korean, ANA, China airlines, Air India, Ethiopian Airlines, as well as several cargo carriers (almost Cargolux and Silkway).

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