Boeing took its fifth 777-9X aircraft out for its first flight over Washington state on Tuesday, breaking a nearly five-year lull linked to technical problems on the widebody series.
The manufacturer said the airplane, 777-9 WH286, took off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, and flew for two hours and 27 minutes over the state before landing back at Paine. The aircraft reached an altitude of 39,000 feet and airspeeds of 511 knots, or Mach .84, which Boeing said is typical for a maiden flight.
It was the first time in nearly five years that a new 777X took its first flight.
“The 777-9 flies beautifully, and this airplane performed just as we expected,” said Captain Ted Grady, chief pilot for the 777X program. “We appreciate the hard work of our teams who designed, built, and prepared this airplane for flight, and we’re continuing our focus on getting the 777-9 certified and in our customers’ fleets.”
WH286 will now undergo a series of ground and flight tests focusing on the aircraft’s resilience against electromagnetic interference and lightning strikes, Boeing said.
Certification of the 777X series has been held up for several years by technical problems. In 2020, a 777-9 experienced an “uncommanded pitch event” in which the nose of the aircraft rose and fell without pilot input. FAA inspectors have also raised concerns about the model’s engines, avionics, and the quality of its manufacturing. In 2021, the agency said the 777X had not yet reached “maturity” in its design.
Boeing has worked to resolve those issues, and in January test flights resumed after a five-month pause.
The company aims to have the 777X certified later this year or in early 2026, with deliveries expected to begin next year.
The 777X series includes the 777-8 passenger jet, the 777-8F freighter, and the 777-9. According to Boeing, customers have ordered over 550 777X aircraft.
