The US Federal Aviation Administration no longer expects to grant type certification for the Boeing 777-9 in 2026, further delaying the entry into service of the 777X family’s launch variant. The shift confirms that regulatory approval will extend beyond next year, ending the previous working scenario of a 2026 certification followed by initial deliveries in 2027.
Boeing has already stated it needs at least the full year 2026 to complete the FAA certification campaign for the widebody, with first customer deliveries now targeted no earlier than 2027. The 777-9 recently progressed into phase 4A of the FAA certification process, one of five main inspection and approval stages, but several steps remain before full type certification can be granted.
The program is running roughly seven years late versus the original plan for service entry around 2020, after a first flight in January 2020 and multiple subsequent postponements linked to the pandemic, design adjustments, stricter post-737 MAX certification requirements and additional testing. Boeing must also rework about 30 already-assembled 777-9 airframes to incorporate design changes and updates arising from the ongoing certification effort.
Lufthansa remains positioned as launch operator of the 777X, with deliveries now expected around 2027. Other airlines have adjusted fleet plans by extending the service life of current 777s and increasing reliance on alternative long-haul types while waiting for the 777-9.