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Boeing takes off in Everett with Lufthansa’s first production 777-9, measuring 76.72 meters and powered by GE9X engines with 220,000 pound-feet
On May 7, 2026, the first production Boeing 777-9 intended for the German company Lufthansa took off from Paine Field in the American state of Washington.
According to Boeing, the aircraft took off towards the Pacific for the inaugural certification flight of the 777X model.
The WH128 aircraft, with serial number 1781 and registration N20080, completed the flight in about three hours and 27 minutes over the states of Washington and Oregon.
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As reported by Simple Flying, the plane reached an altitude of 39,000 feet and a maximum speed of 492 knots.
According to Boeing’s schedule, Lufthansa will receive the first unit of the Boeing 777-9 during the first quarter of 2027.
Subsequently, the aircraft will enter commercial service to gradually replace the aging Boeing 747-400 fleet of the German company.
Boeing 777-9 measures 76.72 meters in length and has a wingspan of 71.75 meters
The aircraft is the largest twin-engine in commercial aviation.
According to the official program site, the fuselage is 76.72 meters (251 feet and 9 inches) long and the wingspan is 71.75 meters (235 feet and 5 inches).
On the other hand, the wingspan exceeds the standard airport gate limit. Therefore, Boeing designed foldable wingtips. Each wingtip measures approximately 3.35 meters.
In other words, with the wingtips folded on the ground, the wingspan drops to 64.83 meters (212 feet and 8 inches).
Thus, the plane operates in gates sized for the former 777-300ER.
GE9X engines generate 220,000 pounds of combined thrust and cut consumption by up to 25%
The propulsion of the 777-9 comes from two GE9X engines by General Electric. Each engine delivers approximately 110,000 pound-feet of thrust.
The combined thrust of the two turbines reaches 220,000 pound-feet.
In fact, according to Boeing, the set reduces fuel consumption per seat by 20% to 25% compared to the Boeing 747-400.
Consequently, Lufthansa estimates significant savings on intercontinental routes.
Additionally, the GE9X engine reduces operational noise.
According to manufacturer data, the set meets the most stringent limits of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for emissions and noise.
Boeing 777-9 certification flight lasted three hours and 27 minutes at 39,000 feet over Washington and Oregon
The Lufthansa aircraft took off from Paine Field early in the local afternoon. It then followed test routes over the state of Washington before crossing into Oregon.
The flight lasted three hours and 27 minutes.
As detailed by Captain Ted Grady, chief pilot of the 777 and 777X family at Boeing, “the 777-9 continues to handle beautifully.”
At that time, it was the sixth example of the 777-9 program to fly.
In parallel, other programs continue testing new aircraft in 2026, such as the Northrop XRQ-73 hybrid drone that recently took off in Edwards.
Therefore, the launch marked an important advancement in the 777X program.
The model had accumulated delays since the initial development, with the first test aircraft flying in 2020 and commercial delivery originally scheduled for 2022.
- Aircraft: WH128 (serial 1781, registration N20080)
- Length: 76.72 meters (251 feet 9 inches)
- Wingspan: 71.75 m (3.35 m foldable wingtips)
- Engines: 2× GE9X (~220,000 pound-feet combined)
- Capacity: approximately 426 passengers
- 777X Backlog: over 620 orders in the program
Lufthansa to retire 747-400 upon receiving the first 777-9 units from 2027
Lufthansa configured the first aircraft with the Allegris cabin, the group’s latest interior standard.
The configuration includes new first-class suites, fully flat business class, and revamped economy class.
Similarly, the German carrier plans to receive 27 units of the 777-9 over the coming years. Thus, the 747-400 fleet is expected to gradually retire from service.
The first 747-400 of Lufthansa entered operation in 1989.
According to market data, the aircraft can accommodate 426 passengers in a standard three-class configuration.
On the other hand, in layouts optimized for cargo, the 777-9 also surpasses the 747-400 in luggage and cargo volume.
777X program totals over 620 orders in the backlog until May 2026
The backlog of the 777X program exceeded 620 firm orders until May 2026.
Among the main operators are Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, ANA, and Lufthansa itself.
In comparison, the Boeing 747 program ended commercial production in January 2023 after more than 50 years.
Therefore, the 777-9 inherits the mission of operating high-density intercontinental routes from the German competitor Airbus A350-1000.
According to Boeing, the 777-9 program has accumulated over 4,700 flight test hours in the dedicated aircraft fleet.
Consequently, the expectation is to finalize the certification of the United States Federal Aviation Administration throughout 2026.
Why Brazil will not have routes operated by the 777-9 in the first years
Lufthansa currently operates routes between Frankfurt and Munich to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Subsequently, the company may relocate the 777-9 to connections with Brazil as the fleet expands.
According to the Brazilian aviation market, no national operator has the 777-9 on order. LATAM Brazil operates the Boeing 777-300ER in inherited configurations.
GOL and Azul operate other aircraft families.
In comparison, Guarulhos and Galeão airports regularly receive widebody aircraft operated by foreign companies such as Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and KLM.
Therefore, the arrival of Lufthansa’s 777-9 units in Brazil is expected between 2028 and 2029.
Next steps: FAA certification by the end of 2026 and delivery Q1 2027
The 777X program now advances to final certification by the FAA. According to Boeing’s schedule, the expectation is to complete regulatory tests by December 2026.
According to the program team, Lufthansa will receive the first aircraft in the first quarter of 2027.
Subsequently, the German carrier is expected to start commercial operation in the European summer of 2027.
At that moment, it will be the first time in almost three decades that Boeing delivers a completely new widebody to the market. The direct predecessor, the 777-300ER, has been flying commercially since 2004.
May 2026 saw other aerospace milestones, such as the launch of the Dragon CRS-34 by SpaceX on May 13.
There are recognized limitations. The 777X program accumulated delays of more than five years. Boeing also faced technical issues with engines and structural problems during development.
Will the 777-9 be able to repeat the commercial success of the 777-300ER, which sold over 800 units?
Or will it be limited to a premium niche of European and Middle Eastern carriers? The answer will begin to appear as early as 2027.
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