Boeing Removes 777X Orders

When publishing its latest orders and deliveries for January, Boeing also adjusted its order book for the upcoming 777X.

As highlighted by Flightglobal, 38 aircraft were removed from the backlog, and these units were placed in an accounting bucket.

This accounting bucket is essential as it allows Boeing to place aircraft orders that it questions whether will go through despite their firmness.

Ultimately, there can be many reasons why deals such as these may not go ahead, ranging from financial troubles to even more economic reasons that would prevent a deal from going through.

Thus far, the 777X has only accumulated orders from major international airlines, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air India, British Airways, and ANA.

Adjustments in the company have seen a previous figure of 464 777s in the backlog; this ranges from the upcoming 777X to the existing 777F. Thirty-eight units have now been deducted from this figure reported one month ago.

Despite this adjustment, the Boeing 777X still attracts a lot of interest, and this is also despite the colossal delays that the program has experienced.

Several international airlines are considering purchasing the plane, weighing up all their options, and seeing the 777-9 more often than not compete against Airbus’ high-capacity A350-1000.

Upcoming Saudi Arabia-based Riyadh Air is the most recent to have expressed interest in purchasing a new widebody aircraft capable of seating many customers.

As for the orders that have been moved to the bucket, which now seems unlikely to progress, a carrier has yet to be formally named; however, this figure of 777X orders now reduces to just over 350.

Ongoing Boeing 777X Delays

Boeing initially hoped to see its 777X enter service in 2025; however, delays have made this impossible, and that previously confirmed timeline was scrapped.

The planemaker believes certification and the first delivery will occur in 2026, provided no further hiccups are felt across the program.

Despite this, some airlines, such as Emirates, remain highly sceptical about whether the planemaker will be able to stick to its timeline, which would still represent a six-year delay.

Emirates is forecasting a delay for its first delivery until at least early to mid-2027. This is deemed the best-case scenario, and with preparations underway, delivery may not occur until 2028 as well.

While Emirates is the only airline to publicly discuss its forecasting, other airlines likely saw their confidence in the program drop considerably following years of missed deadlines.