Boeing previews wider cabin and premium features for delayed 777X jet

Boeing’s 777X program, now seven years behind schedule and burdened with more than $15 billion in charges, is projected to carry passengers by 2027, with the larger 777-9 slated for entry into service next year as Lufthansa’s launch customer. The twin-engine wide-body can accommodate up to 426 travelers, offering a cabin that is a foot wider than the Airbus A350 and up to 18 inches of seat width in a 10-ab-rest economy layout.

New features include folding wingtips, advanced GE engines and a programmable LED lighting system that can simulate sunrise, night or even northern-lights scenes. Premium sections will feature a vaulted arch instead of central overhead bins and a repositioned exit door to create an uninterrupted high-end area. Larger, higher windows with dimmable shades are designed to lessen jet-lag on ultra-long flights. Airlines such as Emirates have already placed orders worth billions, though some have postponed deliveries while older fleets remain in operation.