The final shape of the new Boeing B777X that will take to the skies next year has been revealed as the manufacturer last week brought together the major fuselage sections in a major production milestone known as the “final body join”.
Boeing teams connected the nose, mid and aft sections in the company’s factory in Oregon. The aircraft now measures 252ft (77m) from nose to tail, making it the longest passenger jet the company has yet produced.
Programme vice-president Josh Binder said: “The 777X is a new airplane with a new production system that was integrated into the development programme sooner than any other airplane, and the team is doing a great job hitting our milestones as expected.”
The B777X builds on the B777 and B787 Dreamliner to offer airlines what Boeing says is the largest and most-efficient twin-engine jet in the world, with a claimed 12% lower fuel consumption and 10% lower operating costs than competing aircraft.
The company says the B777X achieves its performance through introduction of the latest technologies including the fuel-efficient GE9X engine and fourth-generation all-new composite wing design that provides lift and efficiency.
The first B777X will be a Dash-9 model, which can seat 400 to 425 passengers in a standard configuration and offer a range of 14,075km (7,600nmi). Courtesy of BTN.