Boeing’s rollout of its next‑generation wide‑bodies is once again being hampered by certification setbacks.
At the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference earlier this month, CEO Kelly Ortberg warned that the company is “clearly behind our plan in getting the certification done” for the 777X program.
The warning comes despite the recent addition of a fifth test aircraft to the fleet—a move that had initially raised hopes that the certification process was finally gaining momentum.
The reality, however, remains that the schedule continues to slip, leaving airlines that have placed large orders (over 600 aircraft in total) in a holding pattern.
Here’s a snapshot of the current order book for the 777X variants:
- 777‑8: Emirates (70), Etihad (8), plus a handful of undisclosed customers.
- 777‑9: Qatar Airways (80), Cathay Pacific (35), Korean Air (20), and others.
- 777‑8F: Etihad (17) and ANA (20) have signaled a shift toward the freighter version.
In short, Boeing’s 2025 outlook is a blend of promise and postponement: new orders keep the pipeline healthy, yet certification delays force carriers to rethink short‑term fleet plans and explore alternative aircraft options. The next few months will be critical for Boeing to regain confidence and deliver on the ambitious schedule it has set for the 777X family.