Boeing 777x Live

Boeing has successfully completed the first flight of the world's largest twin-engine jetliner - a respite from the ongoing controversy surrounding the 737 MAX.

It took three attempts to get the 777X off the ground, as the first two planned tests were abandoned owing to high winds.

The first 777X to enter commercial service will be the 777-9 model, capable of sitting up to 425 passengers. The plane is designed to fly up to 7,600 nautical miles on one tank. Image Courtesy of Boeing “The 777X is a new airplane and a new production system,” said Josh Binder, vice president, and general manager of the 777X. Boeing has announced that the production of 153 units would run its course in 2022. With that, the Boeing 777X will be free to dominate the very large market of aircraft that could seat around or more than 400 passengers in a two-class configuration. The Boeing 777X has departed on a three-hour, fifty-one-minute test flight today after wowing the world with an impressive takeoff. After numerous headwinds, including an Entry into Service (EIS) delay from mid-2020 to late 2021, the Boeing 777X was scheduled to finally take to the skies on January 23, 2020, but was ultimately delayed two. Boeing showcases a mock up of the cabin of its new hotly anticpated 777X passenger airplane, featuring sculpted side walls and a cabin that's four inches wider than its predecessor.

Boeing 777x Live

The plane - which is 77m (252ft) long and can seat more than 400 passengers - took off from a runway just outside Seattle on the US west coast.

Four hours later, it landed at the historic Boeing Field, not far from rows of 737 MAX planes left grounded after two fatal crashes triggered safety concerns.

The new Boeing model, which will be officially known as the 777-9, also boasts folding wingtips that mean it can fit its wings into the same parking bays as other jets.

Following the successful maiden voyage, Boeing executive Stan Deal said: 'It's a proud day for us. It made all of our employees proud one more time of who we are and what we get to do, by flying a brand-new aeroplane that is going to change the world one more time.'

Boeing's new 777X is expected to enter service in 2021 - with development issues meaning this is a year later than planned. Each plane is worth an estimated $442m (£338m).

Boeing 777x Live Test Flight

More than 300 of the planes have already been sold, and the jet is expected to compete with the A350-1000, a new offering by rival Airbus.

Boeing 777x Pictures

Regulatory hurdles do lie ahead for the 777X, which will be the first major aircraft to be certified since the role of software flaws in two fatal 737 MAX crashes emerged.

The Federal Aviation Administration has vowed that rigorous testing will be conducted before the plane is allowed to carry passengers - while Emirates, one of Boeing's clients, has said the plane should be put through 'hell on Earth' to ensure it is safe and performs properly.

Boeing 777x News

Boeing's chief test pilot Craig Bomben, who served as a co-pilot for Saturday's flight, said: 'We took the time to get the aeroplane ready for flight test so I think we are going to march through flight tests successfully and quickly and get it certified to the FAA standards.'