First Look: Inside Boeing's New 777X
Boeing's newest long-haul aircraft is tantalizingly close to shuttling passengers around the globe. So far, 340 orders and commitments for the 777X are inked from an array of carriers, including All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. Now, for the first time, Boeing is giving us a glimpse at what the plane's interior could feel like.
Besides a "spacious, wider cabin" and a smoother overall ride, Boeing promises that the 777X will deliver "more comfortable cabin air, better temperature and sound quality and new lighting." Initial renders show a well-lit business class cabin with unique staggered seating configuration.
Boeing told TPG that the 777X will provide an "additional 4 inches of space in the passenger cabin." This space would allow an airline "to offer a 7-abreast business class cabin while still meeting modern day expectations of privacy and a full lie-flat seat." We inquired as to the official overall width of the aircraft, but were told that Boeing isn't yet releasing that nugget to the public.
Below is a technical comparison between the incoming planes (777-8 and 777-9) and Boeing's existing 777 aircraft (777-200LR and 777-300ER).
| Boeing 777-8 | Boeing 777-9 | Boeing 777-200LR | Boeing 777-300ER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
List Price | $360.5 million | $388.7 million | $334 million | $361.5 million |
Seats (2-class) | 350 to 375 | 400 to 425 | 317 | 396 |
Range | 8,700 nmi (16,110 km) | 7,600 nmi (14,075 km) | 8,555 nmi (15,843 km) | 7,370 nmi (13649 km) |
Length | 70 m (229 ft) | 77 m (252 ft) | 63.7 m (209 ft 1 in) | 73.9 m (242 ft 4 in) |
Configuration | Twin-aisle | Twin-aisle | Twin-aisle | Twin-aisle |
Engine | GE9X | GE9X | GE90-115BL | GE90-115BL |
Windows, as you'd expect, are huge to allow more natural light to flow in, while a range of ceiling and stow bin choices enable airlines to "create distinct cabins that meet their passenger needs." Speaking to the aircraft's window size, we learned that they are 16% larger than the windows on the 777 while also sitting "higher on the fuselage."
Boeing explained to us that it's providing more flexible packages for the elements it controls — sidewalls, bins, ceilings and lighting — which it refers to as lining options. In other words, you could see an airline outfit a single plane with four different ceiling treatments to coincide with different cabins (for instance, first, business, premium economy and economy). Boeing wouldn't shed any light on ongoing discussions with carriers, but it seems fair to assume that select airlines may look to significantly differentiate cabins with different ceiling treatments.
In a bid to improve the passenger experience and keep things quiet, "the ceiling panels themselves" will serve as the speakers, reducing the visible breaks in the interior, while "improved insulation in the sidewalls" work to dampen noise. Servicing both temperature and noise improvements are the redesigned air nozzles; Boeing explained to us that there will be "more of them operating with less velocity."
Renders show a 3-4-3 seating configuration in the economy cabin, though the edge-to-edge tray tables and IFE displays do look larger than a typical 3-4-3 main cabin arrangement. While it shied away from specifics, Boeing did state that it fully expects airlines to consider a premium economy cabin on the 777X, with certain carriers also offering a bona fide first-class cabin. We've inquired as to the pitch assumptions that are being used in the aforementioned two-class seating specifications and will update this post when we hear back.
The first flight of the Boeing 777X is scheduled for 2019, with first delivery slated for 2020. If you're impatient (and want to push the limits of your Centurion Card), we hear that Boeing Business Jets is taking orders for the private 777X right now.
All images courtesy of Boeing.
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- 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.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- 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.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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.
- Terms Apply.