British Airways will add the Boeing 777X to its fleet, with as many as 42 of the next-generation jets taking wing between 2022 and 2025.
BA has opted for the Boeing 777-9 version, which will be decked out with 325 seats across four cabins – a mix that's expected to see the new Club World Suites business class which will debut mid-year on its Airbus A350s, and potentially an all-new first class cabin.
The arrival of the 777-9's will mark the end for 14 Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets plus four Boeing 777-200s.
BA parent company IAG says that 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft can be counted as firm orders, with options for 24 more.
"The new Boeing 777-9 is the world's most fuel efficient long-haul aircraft and will bring many benefits to British Airways' fleet," said IAG chief executive Willie Walsh.
"It's the ideal replacement for the Boeing 747 and its size and range will be an excellent fit for the airline's existing network."
British Airways' vote of confidence in the Boeing 777X comes ahead of the aircraft's official rollout on March 13, with first delivery to launch customer Lufthansa in 2020.
Lufthansa will use its Boeing 777-9 fleet to launch its own all-new business class seat (below).
Read more: Here is Lufthansa's new Boeing 777X business class seats
BA joins a growing roster of airlines signing up for the Boeing 777X – alongside Lufthansa sit Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Japan's ANA.
Also read: Cathay Pacific confirms new Boeing 777X first class, business class
Also in the frame are Qantas and Air New Zealand, both of which are casting around for long-range jets capable of making non-stop flights from the 'down under' corner of the globe to the likes of New York and London.
Boeing has pitched the 777-8 to Qantas for the airline's ambitious Project Sunrise, with an ultra-long range version of the Airbus A350-1000 also in the ring. Qantas will make its decision and place an order for the globe-striding Project Sunrise fleet later this year.
The 777x jets combine the form of the popular Boeing 777-300ER with the advanced design, technology and passenger-friendly traits of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner such as larger windows, a lower effective cabin altitude, increased humidity levels and cleaner air – the last three of which are crucial in minimising the effects of jetlag.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 71
And louder cabin noises from the thinner interior walls ... but at least the seats would be wider in 10 abreast...
20 May 2015
Total posts 581
Boeing invented a new kind of insulation to deal with the noise. In addition, the newer engines are quieter than the old ones. I'm sure the 777X will be noticeably less noisy than a 777-300ER.
30 Aug 2017
Total posts 32
what is the basis of this accusation? Remember you cannot derive assumptions based on older models.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
The newest 777-300ERs with the new engines are actually relatively quiet. I would imagine these would be quieter again.
01 Nov 2018
Total posts 81
To my understanding Airbus a longer A350 to compete with the new 777x, I'm sure their engineers are already working on it
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 464
Airbus can stretch the A350, but it remains 9 seats wide in Y, while the 777x is designed as 10 - though squeezy.. Given the demise of the A380, I would expect that Airbus would be considering a larger (wider) twin to compete with the 777x.
11 Dec 2015
Total posts 85
I can't see the economics of airbus designing something bigger than an A350 working, given the demise of the 380.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 168
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
AirNZ has said it wants Auckland-New York non-stops. See https://www.reuters.com/article/air-new-zealand-results-idUSL4N1L858G and
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
12 Jul 2016
Total posts 27
Air NZ have stated many times publicly they are looking at direct nonstop services to
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
01 Mar 2012
Total posts 177
That is true. Brazil is an interesting one as it will probably underwritten by cargo flows, like the Buenos Aires flights. It would be great as it saves having to go through and pay the visa fee if it’s a next day connection.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
17 Nov 2017
Total posts 8
I bet airbus was hoping or more orders of the A380 from BA
British Airways - Executive Club
18 May 2018
Total posts 8
Will be interesting to see if BA B777-9 will get a suite (like Singapore Air) as part of BA new First product.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 153
I think they will do a 2-2-2 given their 'high-density' approach with the large demand for business class from London and their monopoly on many direct routes.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Nov 2011
Total posts 131
Anyone know if SQ have announced if they'll keep a 3-3-3 ayout in Y in their new 777's?
30 Aug 2017
Total posts 32
Actually internal cabin width of new 777x are 10cm wider than older 777s.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 377
10 abreast is standard economy seating for 777x due to the increased internal cabin width.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 92
10 abreast yes But 777x internal fuselage width is 5.94 metres compared to 6.1 metres on 747 or 6.54metres on A380. That's a full A380 seat difference between it and the 777x. Tighter squeeze for sure.
30 Aug 2017
Total posts 32
I don't think it matters to BA, because their A380 seats and 777-300 seats share the same width. I just checked Seatguru to confirm it.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
777x quieter than what exactly... the 707? Boeing aren't going to add weight with more insulation. Atmospherics and humidity are easy. Make the damn thing quieter! It's a horrible plane to travel long and ultra long haul in currently and to top it off its BA.....can '1st rate' flying get any worse? BA on a 777 - pass.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 92
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 153
The amount of capacity of the a380 only works in certain high demand routes including NEW YORK - LONDON etc but even then BA would prefer additional frequencies by using smaller 747s instead. Remember, not every route has enough demand to support a a380 and whilst there are some cases where we would lament its lost, you could argue that we now prefer a more direct flight instead of connecting on large aircraft or more frequencies with smaller aircraft.
25 Jun 2013
Total posts 43
Perhaps BA may beat Qantas to the non stop London - Sydney with this aircraft.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 153
What they are ordering now still won't have the range. Qantas will probably do it first with a costumised version of this aircraft or a350 with longer range.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1424
It wont be the 777-9 it wil be the 777-8 modified that has the legs for this trip and BA hasn’t ordered it. It will be between a modified 777-8 or A350-1000
British Airways - Executive Club
18 May 2018
Total posts 8
kabe100 - As a Pilot of LHR Long Haul downgrading the First seat to Club World was an option. Believe it or not we haven't seen new Club World seat yet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 92
Thanks Speedbird UK for always providing interesting comments. Tend to agree with you
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
26 Oct 2014
Total posts 12
Sorry last comment. Meant to say BA is considering 1 B787-9 with J & W only from
Qantas
02 May 2016
Total posts 62
Have to laugh at the comments on “noisy 777’s”, clearly have not flown on new 773’s which actually are very quiet, 773 operated by QR, CX and even the new AA operated models are very quiet given age of the model. Old 772’s are terribly noisy, those operated by DL, BA and others.
03 May 2013
Total posts 672
Beauty or quietness in this case are in the eye of the beholder. The 777 is a prehistoric beast that should be relegated to cargo flying fullstop. Horrible squashed configuration in all classes, noisy, no room to move in comparison with A380. Give me the A350 any day if I have to fly a twin.
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