Boeing’s X factor to debut in 2018

Boeing’s X factor to debut in 2018

The first Boeing 777X aircraft is expected to take over the assembly line used to build 787 Dreamliners, as the manufacturer hurries to implement the new long-range jets by 2018, a Boeing executive has revealed.

The news comes as Larry Loftis, vice president in charge of the Dreamliner project, told The Seattle Times a temporary extra assembly line currently used for Dreamliner manufacturing will shut down at the end of the year to be converted to use for the early production of the forthcoming 777X jet, which is reportedly expected to take to the skies for commercial use by 2020.

Boeing vice president for the 777X aircraft, Bob Feldmann, told the paper “after the surge line is cleared out, the assembly bay will become the base for low-rate initial production of the 777X.”

“The first 777X will go down that new line in 2018,” Feldmann confirmed.

Meanwhile, The Australian Business Traveller reports the manufacturer has yet to finalise the design configuration for the Boeing 777X, but is expected to be the “world’s next great airplane”, according to Feldmann, the website reports.

According to Ausbt, Emirates leads the way with 35 orders for the 777-8s and 115 orders for 777-9s in the new aircraft series which it says has been promoted as “the largest and most efficient twin-engine commercial jet in the world, with the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane”.

The website states its improved design and new-generation engines will enable the planes to burn less fuel than the current range of 777 jets.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]