• Inside Boeing's new 777X. Courtesy Boeing
    Inside Boeing's new 777X. Courtesy Boeing
  • The economy class section of the 777X. Courtesy Boeing
    The economy class section of the 777X. Courtesy Boeing
  • The windows are said to be larger than previous 777s. Courtesy Boeing
    The windows are said to be larger than previous 777s. Courtesy Boeing
  • A blind slides down to block the exterior light. Courtesy Boeing
    A blind slides down to block the exterior light. Courtesy Boeing
  • The new overhead bins. Courtesy Boeing
    The new overhead bins. Courtesy Boeing
  • Boeing says passengers can expect a smoother ride. Courtesy Boeing
    Boeing says passengers can expect a smoother ride. Courtesy Boeing

Boeing 777X: folding wing tips shown off as test plane makes runway debut


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Much of the publicity around Boeing in recent months has centred on its troubles with its 737-Max model following the fatal Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, respectively.

But behind the scenes, the US plane maker has been making progress with another of its models - the highly-anticipated 777X which is set to hit the skies with commercial airlines in June 2020.

The company has released a video of the 777X test aircraft making its runway debut, and added on Twitter that it "performed a series of low-speed taxi tests, marking the first time this plane moved on its own power. This is one of many tests before the 777X takes to the skies later this year."

The test also showed off the plane's folding wing tips in a separate video. The wing tips enable an extended span of seven metres, maximising fuel efficiency.

Boeing said that the 777X will have 12 per cent lower fuel consumption and 10 per cent lower operating costs than its competition.

Dubai airline Emirates ordered 150 777X at the Dubai Airshow in 2013 - nearly half of the total 334 orders worldwide since its launch.

However, Emirates confirmed last week that it is in talks with Boeing to renegotiate its order and may replace them with the smaller 787.

The plane is undergoing vigorous testing throughout this year ahead of its expected delivery in 2020.

It is set to come in two variations - the 777-8 and 777-9.

The 777-8 will seat between 350 to 375 passengers, while the latter can carry 400 to 425 passengers, both in a two-class configuration.

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50 years of the Boeing 747

  • The 747 takes off for its first flight in 1969. All images courtesy Boeing
    The 747 takes off for its first flight in 1969. All images courtesy Boeing
  • Flight attendants pose in front of the jumbo jet.
    Flight attendants pose in front of the jumbo jet.
  • The Boeing 747 next to the 707.
    The Boeing 747 next to the 707.
  • Crowds tour the 747 for a closer look.
    Crowds tour the 747 for a closer look.
  • The iconic 747 nose.
    The iconic 747 nose.
  • A close-up of the early 747 engines.
    A close-up of the early 747 engines.
  • A mock-up of the 747 interior.
    A mock-up of the 747 interior.
  • The first 747 flight in 1969.
    The first 747 flight in 1969.
  • A 747 byline on the occasion of the Queen of the Skies 50th first flight anniversary. All photos by Boeing
    A 747 byline on the occasion of the Queen of the Skies 50th first flight anniversary. All photos by Boeing
  • The flight crew for the first flight in 1969.
    The flight crew for the first flight in 1969.
  • A 747 byline on the occasion of the Queen of the Skies 50th first flight anniversary. All photos by Boeing
    A 747 byline on the occasion of the Queen of the Skies 50th first flight anniversary. All photos by Boeing
  • Joe Sutter headed the design team and has since been known as the “Father of the 747.”
    Joe Sutter headed the design team and has since been known as the “Father of the 747.”
  • The first 747 flight in 1969.
    The first 747 flight in 1969.
  • A 747 byline on the occasion of the Queen of the Skies 50th first flight anniversary. All photos by Boeing
    A 747 byline on the occasion of the Queen of the Skies 50th first flight anniversary. All photos by Boeing
  • Pan Am 747s in the factory.
    Pan Am 747s in the factory.
  • Model mock-ups of the 747.
    Model mock-ups of the 747.
  • Crowds queue to board a 747 at an air show.
    Crowds queue to board a 747 at an air show.
  • The first 747 flight in 1969.
    The first 747 flight in 1969.
  • The 747 marked the first commercial use of the high bypass turbofan engine.
    The 747 marked the first commercial use of the high bypass turbofan engine.
  • A Boeing 747-400 flies alongside a 737-400.
    A Boeing 747-400 flies alongside a 737-400.
  • Balast tanks during the assembly of the 747.
    Balast tanks during the assembly of the 747.
  • A stamp on the side of the Boeing plant at Everett, Washington.
    A stamp on the side of the Boeing plant at Everett, Washington.
  • 747 project test pilot Jack Waddell.
    747 project test pilot Jack Waddell.

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The 777-8 has a range of 16,110km – far enough for it to create a new world's longest flight – and the 777-9 can travel 14,075km.

Cabin features include overhead bins that "are designed to enhance the passenger experience by allowing everyone on board easy access to their belongings" and added that the "designs create a more large and open feel inside the cabin".

Boeing said the windows are larger and higher, providing a better view for everyone on board.

Boeing has also said the 777X will have a "lower cabin altitude, improved humidity and smoother ride technology".