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British Airways Confirms Huge Boeing 777-9 Order as Queen of the Skies Replacement Continues

Feb. 28, 2019
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3 min read
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British Airways Confirms Huge Boeing 777-9 Order as Queen of the Skies Replacement Continues
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British Airways announced on Thursday a firm order for 18 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, with an option for a further 24 variants of the aircraft in a multi-billion-dollar order.

At list price, the full order comes at a cost of almost $20 billion, although airlines usually receive a deep discount for large orders like this.

The new aircraft, to be delivered from 2022, will replace 14 of the airline's existing Boeing 747 jumbo jets as well as four older Boeing 777-200s. British Airways is the world's largest operator of Boeing 747 aircraft, with 35 currently in its fleet.

As British Airways did not — and most likely will not — order the newest Boeing 747-8 variant, its 747s have an average age of 22 years, compared with only five years for its Airbus A380s and three years for its 787 Dreamliners.

Willie Walsh, the head of British Airways' parent company, IAG, said of the order:

"The new B777-9 is the world’s most fuel efficient longhaul aircraft and will bring many benefits to British Airways’ fleet. 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.

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This aircraft will provide further cost efficiencies and environmental benefits with fuel cost per seat improvements of 30 per cent compared to the Boeing 747."

A computer rendering of the Boeing 777-9X. Image courtesy of Boeing.

2019 is a huge year for British Airways as it both celebrates its 100th year with special retro liveries and also introduces its brand-new and highly anticipated Club World seat on its first Airbus A350 aircraft. The new seat is set to replace its outdated high-density business-class layout, introduced more than a decade ago.

A British Airways 747-400 in retro BOAC colors. Photo by Brendan Dorsey / The Points Guy.

British Airways' new 777-9 aircraft will feature a four-class configuration with a total of 325 seats. Each of the aircraft will be powered by GE9x engines from General Electric. While the aircraft are expected to be outfitted with the new Club World seat, they may also include a new first-class seat, given the lead time before the first delivery in 2022.

British Airways won't be the launch customer for the 777-9, though — that honor goes to Emirates who will start to receive theirs from next year, followed by Lufthansa who will also feature an all new business-class seat. The 777-9 is the larger of two variants of the 777X family, which also includes the ultra-long-haul 777-8, and is scheduled to make its first flight this year. Boeing intends to replace its current 777 models with it.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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