Industry Final body join of Boeing’s 777X

The so-called final body join describes the part in an aircraft’s manufacturing process in which nose, mid and aft sections are being put together. Boeing has reached this major production milestone for its 777X aircraft in November 2018. The test aircraft is set to take to the sky in 2019.

With 77 meters from nose to tail the 777X is the longest passenger jet Boeing has ever produced.

"The 777X is a new airplane and a new production system," said Josh Binder, vice president and general manager of the 777X. "With the 777X, the production system was integrated into the development program sooner than any other airplane, and the team is doing a great job of hitting our milestones as expected."

Building on Boeing’s market-leading 777 and the 787 Dreamliner, the 777X provides 12 percent lower fuel consumption and 10 percent lower operating costs than competing airplanes. It is equipped with the GE9X engine, and a fourth-generation composite wing design. The airplane’s wings span 72 meters with the extension of a set of folding, raked wingtips. These wingtips enhance aerodynamic efficiency of the wing, and reduce engine thrust and fuel use, while maintaining airport compatibility.

The first 777X introduced will be the 777-9 model, which can seat 400 to 425 passengers in a standard configuration and offer a range of 7,600 nautical miles (14,075 km).

In September 2018, the first 777X test airplane was completed for static ground testing. After the first test flight, three additional test airplanes will be built. The first flight is scheduled for 2019, the first 777X delivery for 2020.

To date, Boeing has won 340 orders and commitments for the 777X from several airlines, including All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.