New Boeing 777X Becomes World’s First Commerical Airplane To Feature Folding Wings

Boeing 777x has folding wingtips

Fuel-efficient cars are all too common in today’s modern time, but Boeing decided to make a fuel efficient airplane. In this year’s Dubai Airshow, the company unveiled the 777x, their newest airliner. The defining feature of the aircraft are the folding wings which provide an increased wingspan while in the air and hence greater fuel economy. The wings can then be folded to allow easy landing at conventional airports made for smaller aircraft with smaller wingspans.

The airplane is based on the already well known Boeing 777 with wings based on the 787 Dreamliner, having a total wingspan of 233 ft (71m). Boeing claims that the 777x will be the largest and most fuel efficient twin-engine jet in the world. The operating economics of the new Boeing will also be superior, making the airplane comparatively cheaper to run. The company also says that the new GE9X engine, made by GE aviation, will add to the fuel efficiency of the 777x. According to Boeing CEO, Ray Conner, “The airplane will be 12 percent more fuel efficient than any competing airplane.”

The company says they have already received 342 orders for the new 777x, which shows that it has already made its mark on the market. The 777x was unveiled as two models – the 777-9x and 777-8x. The 777-9x has a shorter range (15,185 km) but will have the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airliner, while the 777-8x has a greater range (17,220 km). Our roads are already becoming more and more fuel efficient, but with the 777x, so will our skies. Images of the new model can be seen below.

The Boeing 777-9x and 777-8x

Boeing has launched its new 777X, 777-8X and 777-9X aircraft

Boeing 777-9x

Boeing says the 777X will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine jet in the world

Ray Conner Commercial Airplanes President and CEO of Boeing, says the 777X will be 12 perc...

Folding wingtips of the 777x

The 777X has folding wing-tips to increase wingspan and fuel-efficiency without limiting a...

The 777X has already received a reported 342 orders

The 777x has a wingspan of 71 meters

The wingspan of the 777X is 233 feet (71 meters)

The GE9X Engine by GE Aviation

The 777X will feature a GE9X engine made by GE Aviation

The GE9X is the most advanced commercial jet engine

According to Boeing, the GE9X is the most advanced commercial engine ever

The wings of the 777x are based on the 787 Dreamliner

The airplane's wings are based on those of the 787 Dreamliner

10 comments

  1. David Gearhart Reply

    Right, John, Wingtips could not fold while in flight and wider wingtips would not result in great efficiency, fuel economy or speed. Wings might spread or open for landing, not the opposite. Back to the drawing boards with your drawings !

  2. simon Reply

    yer it will provide greater fuel economy…for them! flight prices will stay the same, you can rest assured!

  3. Stephen Bartos Reply

    That’s a technologically and beautiful aircraft.I used to work at Boeing on the 747-400.I tested the electrical systems.I learned the cockpit and about the Black Boxes(which were actually orange).What a rush.I don’t believe the plane could fly with a loss of those parts.Something is very fishy going on,no doubt about it.

  4. julius Reply

    do the bird fold their wing during their flight?? just asking it will only cause an accident in the future scrap it!!!

  5. Matt Reply

    Someone get me in touch with the guy who rendered these scenes … they look great !!! .. .oh and nice plane tech too.

  6. nick Reply

    Hi grayjohn,
    most things have been done before! what was the solution in the 90’s that allowed the wing to fold but kept a nice smooth surface during flight? and what about the ailerons? maybe boeing will be dusting off some of your old drawings!

  7. grayjohn Reply

    I worked on the original wing fold mechanism for the first 777’s. The folding wing tip was designed to provide clearance in airport terminal areas.
    Folding the wing in flight would cause a whole raft of problems with airflow and lift characteristics unless the hinge area was covered somehow to remain streamlined. The concept was never implemented, and was junked back in the 90’s.
    Just sayin’

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *