Boeing's 'Terrible Teens' Costing Company Billions
The Boeing 777-9 was meant to be the company's flagship widebody airliner after the 737 MAX disaster, but it has been plagued by problems since its development started in 2013. The aircraft was supposed to enter service in 2020, but that target has slipped multiple times and is now set for 2027.
Approximately 30-32 777-9s have been built between 2020 and 2024, but they are sitting in storage at Boeing's Everett facility because they were assembled to an older certification standard. The aircraft need significant retrofits before any airline will accept them, which has left customers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Lufthansa frustrated with the program.
The retrofit costs would be borne by Boeing, but the company is still recovering from the 787 quality crisis and the 737 MAX disaster. The Airbus A350-1000 has been quietly delivered to over 130 operators since 2020, while Boeing's 777-9 program is already estimated to be over $10 billion in the red.