Dubai Airshow: Boeing 777X arrives at DWC for international debut

Nearly 15-hour, non-stop trip from Seattle to Dubai was jet's first international journey and also longest flight to date

Boeing's 777X wide-body aircraft landed in Dubai World Central at 14.02pm on Tuesday before its international debut next week at the Dubai Airshow, the first major aerospace exhibition in about two years.

The 777-9 flight test aircraft made a nearly 15-hour, non-stop flight from Seattle's Boeing Field to Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport, marking the first international journey and the longest flight to date for the 777X, as the aircraft continues to “undergo a rigorous test programme”, Boeing said in a statement.

A Boeing 777X airliner lifts off for its first flight at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. AP

A Boeing 777X lands at Boeing Field in Seattle, after its first flight. AP

Boeing employees and other guests cheer the 777X after its landing. AP

Boeing employees and guests take photos as they welcome a Boeing 777X airplane returning from its inaugural flight. AFP

Test Pilot Van Chaney talks with reporters after flying a Boeing 777X in its first test flight at the company's facility in Seattle. Reuters

Test Pilot Craig Bomben celebrates after flying a Boeing 777X on its first test flight at the company's facility in Seattle. Reuters

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal cheers at Boeing Field following the first flight of the Boeing 777X airliner in Seattle, Washington. AFP

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal walks through a crowd in a hangar at Boeing Field following the first flight of the Boeing 777X airliner in Seattle, Washington. AFP

Boeing 777X chief test pilot Van Chaney, right, and co-pilot Craig Bomben, Boeing's VP Flight operations and chief test pilot, emerge from the 777X after landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. AP

Boeing employees and guests watch coverage as they welcome a Boeing 777X airplane returning from its inaugural flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. AFP

Boeing's move to display the 777X in Emirates' backyard in Dubai comes amid the airline's growing impatience over the aircraft's delay. Emirates, the launch customer for the 777X, has repeatedly lambasted Boeing for continued delays and lack of clarity on the jet programme.

Emirates will hold discussions with the Chicago-based plane maker “before and during” the Dubai Airshow about the aircraft, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and group, said last week.

The airline has ordered 126 of the 777X jets and 30 of the smaller 787 Dreamliner wide-body jets.

The 777X family has a total of 351 orders and commitments from eight customers around the world. First delivery of the plane is expected in late 2023, Boeing reported.

The biennial Dubai Airshow will be held from November 14 to 18 at a dedicated site at Dubai World Central. This year's event will feature 1,200 exhibitors, of which 371 are new and 80 are start-ups, event organiser Tarsus said.

New exhibitors come from countries including Belgium, Ukraine, the UK, the US, Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Canada and Russia.