Boeing has revealed in an earnings report that it does not expect to deliver the first of its next-generation 777X aircraft until “early 2021”.
Airlines including Lufthansa and Emirates had previously expected to receive the first of their orders by the middle of 2020.
Qatar Airways, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Cathay Pacific and, more recently, British Airways have also placed substantial orders.
Lufthansa is set to debut a new business class seat on the aircraft, the arrival of which now looks to be delayed.
Meanwhile Cathay Pacific has said it it working on a new first class seat product that will debut on the 777X in mid-2021.
The B777X has two variants, the 777-8 and 777-9, with Boeing describing it as the “world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet”.
It was supposed to make its first flights this summer, but this was pushed back due to issues with its GE9X engines.
The first test flight is now expected in early 2020.
Emirates CEO Tim Clark told Reuters last week: “Our fleet plans are very much driven by when these aircraft are going to be delivered to us.”
Clark added that the airline’s capacity growth is being held back by the delivery delays.
Boeing has previously released pictures of the aircraft interiors, which are based on its Dreamliner cabins:
Recommended seating plans released several years ago suggested most airlines will adopt a 10-across configuration in economy class.
In today’s financial statement, Boeing reported third-quarter revenue of $20.0 billion, with $8.3 billion in revenue from its commercial airplane unit.
It said the impact of lower deliveries of its grounded 737 Max aircraft were “partially offset by higher defence and services volume”.
However operating profit in the commercial division was a $40 million loss, down from a $2 billion profit in the quarter last year.
The company said it has “developed software and training updates for the 737 Max and continues to work with the FAA and global civil aviation authorities to complete remaining steps toward certification and readiness for return to service.”
Airlines with the 737 Max in their fleet have removed it from their schedules for the rest of the year.
