Deliveries of Boeing's new widebody aircraft, the -777/9, will be further delayed. The chief executive, Kelly Ortberg, confirmed yesterday that the aircraft's certification — part of the -777X program — is a demanding and still ongoing process, describing it as a "mountain of work".

Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference, Ortberg reiterated the company's commitment to completing the certification path while acknowledging the challenges. He stressed how the delay, even if minimal, can have a "rather large financial impact" on the company's coffers, which have already accumulated billions of dollars in losses related to the program. For this reason, he has tasked the new CFO, Jay Malave, with closely analysing the situation and outlining a plan for the future.

Despite the difficulties, the Boeing CEO said no new significant technical problems have emerged. The -777X, launched in 2013, has faced several regulatory hurdles, including a halt to flight testing following the damage to a thrust link in August 2024. Flight testing resumed in January 2025 after a five-month suspension, and recently the first test flight of a new -777/9 was completed (which, at 76.73 metres in length, is destined to become the longest airliner in the world), a sign of progress for the programme that currently counts five test examples.

Despite the delays, demand for the aircraft remains "fantastic", Ortberg said. The company is focusing on completing the certification process, which represents the main obstacle before deliveries. Current forecasts indicate the first -777X will be delivered in 2026, six years after the originally planned date. In the meantime, the aircraft continues to enjoy market success. In early last August Cathay Pacific placed an order for another 14 aircraft, bringing the global total of orders for the -777X to over 550 units.

The B--777/9 (or B--777/9X) is a variant of the B-777X, a new generation of Boeing's renowned widebody. It is designed to be the largest and most efficient twin-engine aircraft in the world, incorporating advanced technologies derived from the B-787 Dreamliner. It is equipped with two General Electric GE9X turbofans. Each engine is among the most powerful ever produced, with takeoff thrust of about 110,000 lbf (489.3 kN). The fan diameter is around 3.4 metres. Regarding efficiency, Boeing states that the -777X will deliver approximately 20% lower fuel burn compared with current -777 models.

Cruise speed is 1,037 km/h at an altitude of 13,100 metres (43,000 feet), while range is estimated at over 13,900 km (approximately 7,500 nautical miles) for the passenger version, with the possibility of reaching up to 16,000 km for specific or cargo variants.

It accommodates 400–414 passengers in a typical three-class layout; in the cargo variant the freight volume is significant, with capacities varying by configuration. Distinctive technological features include: longer wings made of composite materials that improve aerodynamic efficiency; folding wingtips. To comply with airport regulations on maximum wingspan, the -777/9's wingtips can be folded. This makes the -777X the first commercial airliner equipped with "wingtip controls" in the cabin.

The aircraft benefits from many of the innovations introduced on the -787, including cockpit and materials improvements. The B-777X is set to compete primarily with the Airbus A-350/1000.