Why is Boeing's 777X First Delivery Now Pushed Back to 2027?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 16, 2026 at 06:37 AM•2 min read

MANUFACTURING Why is Boeing's 777X First Delivery Now Pushed Back to 2027?

Boeing confirmed a further delay for the 777X first delivery to 2027 due to ongoing FAA and EASA certification hurdles, impacting major customers like Emirates.

Key Points

1Boeing officially pushed the first 777X delivery date back to 2027, a seven-year delay from the original 2020 target.
2The delay is driven by ongoing certification challenges with the FAA and EASA, focusing on the flight control system and the complex Common Core System avionics.
3Major customer Emirates, with over 200 aircraft on order, has been forced to spend billions retrofitting its older fleet to cover the shortfall.
4Boeing incurred a recent $4.9 billion pre-tax charge, bringing total program charges to an estimated $15 billion due to the extended timeline.

The Boeing 777X delivery delay has been extended again.

Boeing now expects the first delivery to occur in 2027. This new timeline is a further setback for the Boeing widebody program. The original 777-9 entry into service was planned for 2020.

Certification Hurdles and Regulatory Scrutiny

This latest delay stems from complex 777X certification issues. Regulators are demanding extensive review of the new jet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are heavily involved.

The FAA and EASA scrutiny is intense following the 737 MAX crisis. EASA, in particular, has raised concerns. Their focus is on the aircraft's flight control system. They want to ensure proper redundancy against failures.

Key Technical Challenges

One major area of concern is the Common Core System. This is a complex and critical avionics system. It manages computing and networking for multiple airplane systems.

Boeing must provide conclusive evidence of solving all software and hardware issues. The certification process is taking longer than expected. For example, recent brake certification tests took more than double the forecast time.

Impact on Airlines and Financial Fallout

The delay significantly impacts key airline customers. Emirates is the largest buyer of the 777X. The airline has a massive Emirates 777X order for 205 aircraft. Launch customer Lufthansa is also affected.

Fleet Planning Disruption: The delay forces airlines to keep older, less fuel-efficient aircraft flying. Emirates must retrofit its current 777 and A380 fleets. This is to support its long-haul network until the new jets arrive.
Customer Frustration: Emirates President Sir Tim Clark publicly criticized Boeing for poor communication. He learned of the 2027 timeline through the media. This creates a sense of deep frustration across the industry.

Boeing has also faced a massive 777X financial charge. The company took a $4.9 billion pre-tax charge related to the schedule update. Total charges on the program have reached approximately $15 billion. This reflects the high cost of development and late delivery penalties.

Looking Ahead

Boeing states the aircraft is performing well in flight testing. However, a "mountain of work" remains for certification. The company must restore trust with its stakeholders. The commercial aviation news cycle will continue to track this vital widebody jetliner development. The focus remains on safety and thoroughness in the regulatory certification process.

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