I have not been following much the news about 777X since Boeing halted 777X flight testing back in 2024 after discovering, during inspections, failed and cracked "thrust links" aka the components that connect the engine to the wing. 

So, today (May 8, 2026), I was interested in this news article:
"The first production-standard Boeing 777-9 destined for (launch operator) Lufthansa (registered N20080) successfully completed its maiden flight on May 7, 2026, marking a major milestone. The aircraft took off from Everett, Washington, for a ~3-hour test flight. This is not just a testbed, but the first fully cabin-equipped, production-configuration 777-9 meant for commercial service with Lufthansa."

There is also a "genuine" article from Simple Flying dated, today, May 8, 2026, with the following title, if you wish to read more (search for), "Progress: 1st Boeing 777-9 Production Aircraft Takes Flight Ahead Of Lufthansa Delivery".

Of course, the 777X commercial service is not expected till 2027. Here is a statement (in the same Simple Flying article) from Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr expressing confidence that the new fleet will begin to take shape early next year (2027), saying:

"After our conversation with Boeing, that these aircraft will arrive in the first quarter...and be deployed in the summer...and two to four 747-400s will be removed from the fleet."

This matches on-line finding, interestingly, of LH's 744 usage:
"As of May 2026, Lufthansa still operates the Boeing 747-400, maintaining a small fleet of eight "Queen of the Skies" aircraft to fill capacity gaps on long-haul routes from Frankfurt. These older jets are scheduled to be phased out by 2027-2028, replaced by the Boeing 777X and Airbus A350."

I have been flying w/ Lufthansa for a (very) long time, through the phase-out of their DC-10s in early 1990s, to the point of introduction (as the launch operator of 747-8 pax) of their 747-8Is in 2012 (in between, it has been the A330s/A340s/B744s; LH never operated any 777s for pax use). My first ever oceanic crossing (Transatlantic) was on a LH 744 (recall it very well).

I recall LH used to operate the 744s from Chicago Frankfurt, but no more. I checked; FlightAware is showing 3-4 (ORD->FRA) flights Thu/Fri this week but operated with B748s or A343s. Their (remaining) 744s are now (apparently) being flown (outgoing) from Frankfurt e.g., below is a snippet from FlightAware, listing (at least) 3 B744 (non-stop) flights over the last couple of days, from Frankfurt to Boston (one Arrived, one En-route, and one Scheduled).

LH surely does love their 744s, and it's good to know the 744s are still being flown by this airline.

BTW, where is it in MSFS for us 744 fans...? It's already high time I think...🙂...and, of course, I don't mean the one now by MSSCENERY in the Marketplace...

Cheers...!

Edited May 8May 8 by P_7878

Thanks @stans.

Glad, you liked it.

KFCI...? While living in Ohio, I regularly used to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains, mostly in North Carolina, but have driven across these mountains to Richmond/VA a couple of times. Very pretty region, especially in Fall, with the trailing edge hills and mountains of the Appalachian range nearby...  

 

While on the topic of 777X, I read up this morning a bit more (on-line) about a couple of related items.

It appears that just about a month or so ago, the 777-9 full-flight (Level D-equivalent) simulators have achieved initial qualification and certification from both FAA and EASA. The (777-9) simulators are (currently) located at Boeing’s London-Gatwick Flight Training Campus for early pilot training. These first (777X) simulators are now operational including advanced features like optional dual HUDs and folding wingtip control etc. The folding wingtip will be the first-ever for a commercial airliner. These folding wingtips on the Boeing 777X are approximately 12 feet long on each side, providing a total span reduction of over 22 feet, for ground/airport operations.

I also found it interesting that Boeing's goal of Pilot training time for transition from the 777 and 787 to the 777X is to keep it approximately 2-3 days. Due to the commonalities involved, this will be "differences" based training (the folding wingtips are surely one factor) rather than brand new certification. For us simulation fans, notably, the 777X cockpit layout will appear similar to that of the B787 (I recall now the first exposure to the (TFDi) B717 cockpit with the advanced MD-11 type layout, rather than with that of the legacy MD80/90).

Anyway, it will be fascinating for us 777 fans, used to, for decades, to the legacy 777 flightdeck from PMDG. Since, we do not expect a 777X rendition soon enough, I did fly a while ago, just to get a feel, a couple of times the (MSSCENERY) 777-8/777-9...a B777 fuselage stuck with the Asobo 787 cockpit...🙂...that's about it...do not try it...

Cheers...!

The lives and achievements of aviation's Test Pilots, from the likes of (Sir) Geoffrey de Havilland to Chuck Yeager, has always fascinated me.

I was curious today, who flew last week the first production-configured Boeing 777-9, destined for launch customer Lufthansa (the 777-9 at 251 ft 9 in is the longest ever commercial airliner to fly). The flight was piloted by Ted Grady and Jake Miller.

Here is a snapshot of the 30-years long career of Captain Ted Grady, who is currently serving as the Chief Pilot for 777 and 787 / 777X Programs.

• Military Service: He began his flying career in the military operating heavy cargo transport aircraft, specifically the C-17 Globemaster.

• Commercial Airlines: Transitioned to commercial aviation where he flew workhorse airliners including the Boeing 727, 757, McDonnell Douglas DC-9, and DC-10.

• Boeing Flight Operations: At Boeing, his type ratings and test pilot experience expanded to include the 737, 747, 777, 787 and 777X platforms.

Fascinating...