The 777X is Boeing’s latest addition to the long-range, widebody, twin-engine jetliner market. It promises to bring customers greater efficiency with advanced engines and folding wingtips to improve the jet’s flexibility. However, the first deliveries are not expected until 2026, a substantial delay from the initially planned delivery date of 2019. These delays have come from several factors, including the certification process, a worker strike, and manufacturing complications.
Stock Code
BA
Business Type
Planemaker
Date Founded
July 15, 1916
CEO
Kelly Ortberg
There are currently 541 777Xs on firm order and 169 options to buy. The seven airlines listed in this article are among those with the largest 777X orders and can, therefore, be expected to have the greatest impact on the market. A notable inclusion is IAG (International Airlines Group). The airlines group had a relatively small initial firm order of 18 777Xs, but had options to buy a further 24 attached and a further firm commitment for six 777Xs made in May 2025.
7
IAG
The airline group will use 777Xs to fuel substantial capacity growth.
IAG joined the 777X party relatively late. The airline group’s initial order was for 18 777-9s, with options for 24 more jets. The group has made a single adjustment, committing to 6 more 777-9s on May 9, 2025.
The expanded order came amid a decision to purchase 71 new aircraft. Part of the deal came from finalized agreements for Airbus A350-1000s, A350-900s, and Boeing 777-9s. Simple Flying reported that the group had released a statement announcing the intent behind this sizable order:
“These deliveries and future orders are part of the Group’s ongoing investment in new, modern aircraft to drive operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance onboard products.”
The table below introduces the top airlines in terms of initial firm orders. However, since their initial order, many airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have opted to adjust, reduce, or expand their 777X orders:
Airline
Date
Initial Order
Emirates
July 9, 2014
150 (45 777-8 and 115 777-9)
Qatar Airways
July 16, 2014
50 (all 777-9)
Etihad Airways
November 17, 2013
25 (8 777-8 and 17 777-9)
Cathay Pacific
December 27, 2013
21 (all 777-9)
Singapore Airlines
Jun 19, 2017
20 (all 777-9)
Lufthansa
September 18, 2013
20 (all 777-9)
Korean Air
March 24, 2025
20 (all 777-9)
All Nippon Airways
July 31, 2014
20 (all 777-9)
International Airlines Group (IAG)
February 28, 2019
18 (all 777-9)
The growth across the board of IAG’s fleet also exists to facilitate substantial expected operational growth. During the company’s Q1 earnings call, Luis Gallego, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IAG, referenced expectations that the group’s airlines needed a 4-5% capacity growth each year.
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Related
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Lufthansa
The German carrier is set to be the 777X’s launch customer.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Lufthansa became the 777X’s launch customer in September 2013 following its initial order for 20 777-9s with options to buy a further 14 jets. The carrier has made a single amendment to its order. It added seven 777-8Fs in May 2022. As the first customer to receive 777Xs, the entire industry will look to Lufthansa to see how successful the jets are in commercial operations.
Even the 777X’s launch customer has had to adjust its operations due to Boeing’s endless delays. In June 2022, the carrier announced it would reactivate its eight remaining A380s for the 2023 summer season. It cited delays to its 777-9 deliveries and the unexpectedly quick post-pandemic recovery across the aviation industry.
5
All Nippon Airways
Japanese airline pairs 777X and 737 MAX orders.
All Nippon Airways has made only a minor adjustment to its planned 777X order of 20 777-9s with no further options. In July 2022, the carrier removed 2 777-9s and replaced them with 2 777-8Fs.
The airline has shared its expectation to receive 777X deliveries in 2026/2027. It plans to use these jets to update its long-haul fleet.
Simple Flying has also reported that All Nippon Airways will pair its 777X order with 737 MAXs, with an agreement for these narrowbody aircraft recently finalized. This is part of the airline’s commitment to offering customers more comfortable, spacious, and quieter cabins.
4
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong carrier’s 777X delays cause first-class revamp delays.
The Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific made 21 orders for 777-9s in 2013 with no options to buy additional aircraft, and has kept this commitment in the 12 years that have followed. The Hong Kong carrier expects delivery in 2027.
Like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific planned to use the 777X to update its first-class cabin. It planned to introduce the “Halo Cabin,” which would become the carrier’s primary first-class product for years to come.
Cathay Pacific then wanted to remove the first-class product from its 777-300ER fleet. Therefore, “Halo Cabin” aboard the airline’s 777Xs would become its only first-class product. This reflects a commitment to providing excellent first-class products while acknowledging that this is a shrinking area of the aviation industry.
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The Hong Kong airline expects to receive the Boeing 777X in 2027 or even later.
3
Etihad Airways
Etihad increases order amid Donald Trump’s Middle East visit.
Photo: Lukas Wunderlich | Shutterstock
Etihad Airways is the first of the three Middle East carriers included in this list. It made a noteworthy initial order of 25 777Xs (8 777-8s and 17 777-9s) with options for a further 12 jets.
Current indications are that Etihad will join Qatar Airways in making a sizable order of Boeing aircraft, including the 777X, connected to Donald Trump’s recent visit to the Middle East. Etihad has agreed to purchase 28 Boeing 787s and 777Xs, although the order distribution across each jet is unclear.
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, gave his reasons for investing in more 777Xs despite the continued delays as part of its strategy to meet the needs of the future:
“This commitment reflects our approach of carefully managing our fleet and expanding in line with demand and our long-term network plans. Since 2023, we’ve made consistent additions to our fleet, and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements.”
2
Qatar Airways
Qatar’s flag carrier to use 777X to launch its Qsuite Next Gen business class.
Qatar Airways is another Middle East carrier that has made multiple adjustments to its initial order. Through four adjustments, it has gone from 50 firm 777-9 commitments and 50 777-8 options to 90 777-9 firm commitments and 34 777-8F firm commitments. The carrier has also changed its options to 30 777Xs and 16 777-8Fs.
At the Farnborough International Air Show 2024, the carrier announced its plans to use the 777X to bring a new height of comfort to business class passengers through its “Qsuite Next Gen” offering.
Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, the Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, described how his airline would thrive with its 777Xs as part of its efforts to have a young fleet:
“We, as the World’s Best Airline, are an industry leader and operate one of the youngest fleets, offering unparalleled innovation and quality. Keeping an eye on the future, we continue to ensure that all Qatar Airways passengers are only met with the best products and services available in the industry.”
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1
Emirates
Boeing’s largest 777X customer remains committed despite delays.
Emirates has the most complex relationship with the 777X, having made four adjustments to its huge initial firm order of 150 777Xs. The airline now stands at a firm order of 35 777-8s and 170 777-9s, but has canceled its options for a further 61 777Xs. This airline was once considered the jet’s launch operator, but this honor has been passed over to Lufthansa.
Emirates is among the airlines most frustrated by the delays, as reported by Simple Flying. The airline expressed doubt about Boeing’s promises for delivery in 2026. It has been conducting a retrofit program for its A380s to ensure the airline remains operational if the deliveries don’t come through as expected.
