The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has launched its newest aircraft: the 777X. The larger and more efficient version of the successful ‘mini-jumbo’ 777 took off close to Boeing’s hometown of Seattle. It was the third attempt: earlier this week two attempts were canceled due to strong wind.
The launch of the 777X is a new step in the battle with the big competitor Airbus. The European company recently introduced its own new model, the A350-1000, which can carry around 440 passengers.
The 777X, which has the official type name 777-9, is longer than its predecessor and has other windows, larger engines and wings that can be folded. It can hold 426 people.
Boeing has received 309 orders for the 777X. Customers include Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Emirates, which will be the first to receive the 777X next year. That is a year later than planned due to problems with the design process.
737 MAX crisis
The American company was mainly negative in the news in the last year and a half, due to the crisis with the 737 MAX, which incidentally is a smaller device than the new 777X. Two crashes with 737 MAX 8 aircraft killed 346 people, after which it was decided to keep the aircraft of that type on the ground.
It is still unclear when the planes can be taken back into the air, because Boeing is still working on a major software update. Apart from damage to the image, the costs of the crisis are estimated at more than 9 billion dollars. The problems cost the top boss of the company, Dennis Muilenburg, the head of last year.
The company will announce the financial results for the fourth quarter of last year on Wednesday. Analysts expect the numbers to be dramatic.
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