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The size of the anticipated 
Boeing 777X series conflicts with the business models of the main US carriers. Attempts to sell the next-generation widebody have faced opposition, with no US airlines currently planning to buy it. The launch customer will be 
Lufthansa, which plans to replace the veteran 747s flying its transatlantic routes. International airlines with concentrated hubs and high demand for overseas, long-haul flights are the primary buyers.
On top of the mismatch, many carriers have lost faith in the 777X program due to major manufacturing delays caused by regulatory and other obstacles. As they provide a better balance between capacity and operational costs, US airlines have shown a preference for the smaller widebody Boeing 787.
American Airlines and 
United Airlines also still have a sizable fleet of previous-generation Boeing 777 aircraft that have service life remaining before retirement.
Unwanted By The Big Three
Concerns over the Boeing 777X’s dimensions and capacity size compared to the needs of existing hub-and-spoke network routes have left little appetite among 
Delta Air Lines,, United, and American for the 777X. The massive plane will not only be a direct successor to the previous 777 family but is intended to fill the void left by the discontinued 747 and Airbus A380. The 777X is envisioned as the heavyweight in a future where there are no superjumbos and no quadjets.
Smaller widebody aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 have sold well. Showing a preference for Delta and United. These two have demonstrated that current networks are better suited to smaller planes that can be deployed with less load-factor pressure. The big three have declined the 777X because of its main quality. The sheer size is too much to fill at every top in the global network. United has ordered A350s, and Delta has already started flying the A350 and A330neo.
Although it plans to eventually modernize its current fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs and 777-200s, American is only buying the 787 and 737 MAX for now. Technical problems, like the door panel explosion during testing, along with engine problems, have raised more doubts about the 777X’s certification and future dependability. American Airlines also does not have the kind of ultra-long-haul in its network that the 777X’s range and seat capacity are optimized for.
Base Model: The Boeing 777-8
The Boeing 777-8 is the smaller of the two planned variants. Stiff competition from the Airbus A350, which is already in service, has not helped Boeing secure orders for the transcontinental widebody. More carriers have shown interest in the stretched variant that can seat more passengers, the 777-9. Despite many airlines seeking upgrades to fleets of 777-200ERs, there is less urgent demand for a successor, as many of the jets still have years of life left.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced airlines to reassess their fleet requirements and weigh the usage of aircraft types. The resulting shift in operational models has increased market competition and affected the 777-8’s attractiveness. The developmental delays have a twofold effect on sales, as not only are eager buyers turning to the readily available Airbus and smaller Boeing jets, but also generate a lack of confidence in steady delivery times after production begins.
The Airbus A350-900 has a strong track record since its introduction. Debuting earlier, the jet is a good analog for comparison to the 777-8 from Airbus’ lineup. Both aircraft are designed specifically for the long-haul, widebody market. Citing its lower weight and efficient materials, the A350 is promoted as having lower fuel consumption and operating expenses in general. It has also sold much better, with the 777-8 currently only boasting 35 Emirates orders.
How Much Does A Boeing 777X Cost?
A few hundred million must be spared to acquire a brand-new Boeing 777X.
A four-month halt in certification testing was caused by a powerplant issue that also revealed other problems with the Boeing 777-9. Concerns have been raised by the largest customer, Emirates, regarding the stated performance, specifically the fuel consumption, which it believes has not been proven satisfactorily. Despite those obstacles, the stretched model of Boeing’s next-gen widebody has achieved the highest order count.
The performance and fuel economy of the new GE9X engines for the 777-9 are a major part of the aircraft’s appeal. Customers who have ordered this extended fuselage variant are counting on very good fuel efficiency to drive cost-per-seat expenses down as far as possible. Power is equally important as the plane will be expected to take off with hefty loads from airfields all over the world at a variety of elevations and temperatures, with different weather systems.
Like the equivalent model in the rival lineup, the Airbus A350-1000 has been a more popular model than the Boeing 777-9 in terms of sales so far. Airbus says that its carbon composite materials and revamped engine technology offer a better balance between capacity and operational costs. Although it has fewer seats total at a max of 369 versus the 777-9’s max of 426, it can still carry a similarly large number of flyers on extremely long-haul flights.
Which Airlines Have Ordered The Boeing 777X? A Complete List
Around a dozen airlines have placed orders for around 500 Boeing 777X, with the first set for delivery in 2026.
Express Delivery: The Boeing 777-8F
The Boeing 777-8Fhas been postponed until 2028, originally slated for first deliveries to 
Qatar Airways in 2027. The Airbus A350F is still projected to be launched in the latter part of 2027, potentially beating Boeing to the punch again as it did with passenger models. The US air cargo industry has also shown no interest so far, similar to the current situation with its passenger variants. The jet has secured over 50 orders, but considering it is intended to fill the shoes of the 747 freighter, expectations are higher.
Test aircraft have been grounded for extended periods, with prolonged intervals between design changes, which have combined to significantly slow down the 777-8F, similar to the other 777X models. The desire for new, big freighters like the 777-8F exists in the cargo market, which is largely being pushed by e-commerce. Boeing’s plan to discontinue 767 freighter manufacturing in 2027 after ending 747 production in 2023, will leave few other options.
When compared to models like the 747-400F and 777F, the A350F delivers a considerable reduction in emissions, noise levels, and fuel consumption. Its modernized design provides a myriad of benefits in running expenses and flexible operations. Additionally, the A350F is expected to have a bigger main deck cargo door by comparison, which directly enables expedited ground operations.
What’s The Latest With United Airlines & The Airbus A350?
Will United actually take the Airbus A350?
A Difficult Road To Production
There have been nearly eight years of delays in the Boeing 777X program due to certification, engine problems, and the extra scrutiny resulting from the 737 MAX catastrophes. Manufacturing flaws, drawn-out certification procedures due to FAA inspection, a Boeing worker strike, and other quality control challenges are the main issues. Initially scheduled for 2020, the first delivery is now anticipated in 2026, and these delays have affected its ability to sell.
Boeing has confirmed that the 777X will enter service in 2027, despite skepticism from some airline customers. The 777X is designed to fill the gap left by the retirement of the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380, offering high capacity and long range. Last year, Leeham News quoted Kelly Ortberg, Boeing’s CEO, who reaffirmed the certification and delivery hopes:
“We’re going through the flight test program, and we’re planning to get the certification done towards the end of this year or early next year so we can start the delivery. The challenge is we’ve got to get through the certification here on the Dash 9 to start delivering these things to our customers.”
The introduction of the 777X coincides with Airbus’s stretched A350-1000 model that was designed to compete more directly with Boeing’s new flagship. The program’s delays and challenges have allowed Airbus to get to market first, with the maiden A350-1000 delivery in 2018.
The Aircraft Replacing The Boeing 747
As Boeing’s flagship, the Boeing 777X is the closest thing to replacing the Jumbo, although it is not a direct replacement.
The Heavyweight In A Twinjet Future
Since quadjets are being phased out gradually due to their comparatively high fuel consumption and operational costs, the Boeing 777X is an essential jet for the future of aviation. For long-haul flights, the 777X provides a modern, high-capacity substitute in a twinjet arrangement. Its cutting-edge design and technology are designed for airlines to grow their worldwide networks while lowering operating expenses and emissions.
The 777X is made for ultra-long-haul flights with a very high passenger capacity and exceptional range. Its one-of-a-kind folding wingtips enable it to have better fuel burn rates, but do not limit the airports it can visit due to its wingspan. It is also well-positioned to fulfill the growing demand for air travel.
US carriers may not yet have placed any orders for the latest iteration of widebodies from Boeing, but that doesn’t mean there is no potential for future purchases. Only time will tell if we see a 777X in the livery of the big three.
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