Emirates will not accept the first 10 Boeing 777X aircraft produced, citing concerns that the early jets no longer meet the airline’s standards after years of design changes throughout the program.
Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow, Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said rebuilding the earliest aircraft to the latest production standard would not be economically viable, adding that they would be “fit only to be turned into baked bean cans.”
Instead, Emirates plans to take delivery of later-production Boeing 777-9 aircraft built to the latest configuration. Clark also said the airline expects 777-9 deliveries to begin in the second quarter of 2027, while criticizing the nearly seven-year delay from the aircraft’s originally planned entry into service in 2020.
The Boeing 777X program has faced repeated delays due to certification issues, supply chain disruptions, the pandemic, and production challenges. Despite the setbacks, the program has secured more than 700 orders from airlines worldwide.
