Following Lufthansa’s order this week for 15 Airbus A350s and seven Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, we ask the following: Has the delays to the 777X program influenced this?
Unique Challenges For Such an Aircraft…
The Boeing 777X is set to be one of the most advanced and efficient aircraft in the world. But before it can start carrying passengers, it must first receive certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). And that’s no easy task.
The FAA is responsible for making sure that all commercial aircraft meet stringent safety standards. To do this, they have a team of engineers who conduct a thorough review of an aircraft’s design. Once they’re satisfied that the plane is safe, they sign off on it and give it a Certificate of Airworthiness.
But the 777X is facing some challenges in getting approved. First, because it’s such a new and innovative plane, there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to its performance.
The FAA wants to make sure that everything works as intended before giving their stamp of approval.
This means that the 777X will likely undergo more flight testing than other aircraft before it can be certified. And this could delay the plane’s entry into service even further.
Right now, Boeing is targeting 2025 for the first delivery of the 777X. But if the certification process takes longer than expected, we could see that date pushed back further.
How Does the A350-1000 Shape Up?
The new Boeing 777X is set to be a game-changer in the aviation industry. With its new features and advanced design, it is poised to compete against Airbus’ A350-1000.
But can Airbus really compete against the 777X? The 777X features an all-new composite wing design with folding wingtips, which will allow it to save on fuel and reduce emissions.
It also has a more spacious and comfortable cabin than its predecessor, the 777-300ER. And with a range of over 9,000 miles, it can fly nonstop from Los Angeles to Dubai.
Airbus’ A350-1000 is no slouch either – it too is made of composites, which makes it lighter and more fuel efficient. And its cabin is even more spacious than the 777Xs.
But where the A350-1000 falls short is in the range – at just under 8,000 miles, it can’t quite match the 777X’s range. So can Airbus really compete against the 777X? It remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure – the competition between these two aircraft manufacturers is heating up!
Has Lufthansa Been Influenced by the 777X Delays?
From the perspective of Lufthansa, it is, of course, a question that will be running through everyone’s minds at the moment.
AviationSource has approached the Lufthansa Group for a comment on this, but at the time of publication, they have not responded to our queries.
With the delays in mind, and international travel on the rise once again post-COVID, it does make sense that these aircraft have been ordered.
Delivery slots for the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will be a lot earlier than the 777Xs, meaning the German leisure carrier can continue to grow year-on-year.
But for now, all eyes are now on Boeing to see how long it will take for the 777X to get into commercial service, as well as on Lufthansa to see whether this program will hinder or bolster its continued growth.
