Lufthansa Rejects Boeing's 777-9 Aircraft Over Condition Concerns

Boeing's 777X program is facing more challenges as Lufthansa becomes the second major airline to reject its oldest 777-9 aircraft. The German flag carrier, which has 20 firm orders for the type, will not accept the earliest built examples of the 777-9 and instead expects newer production models.

The decision by Lufthansa follows Emirates' lead in refusing to accept the oldest airframes due to concerns about their condition. The aircraft have been sitting idle since 2019 and 2020 while Boeing worked through certification challenges, and components can degrade even when jets are properly preserved.

Boeing has set up a dedicated production line to rework the early-built airframes to the current production standard, with the company covering part of the cost for at least some customers. However, industry estimates suggest that around 30-40 aircraft across all 777X customers may require this rework.

The delays and complications in the 777X program have already pushed its certification back by six to seven years, and Boeing is now targeting first deliveries to Lufthansa for the first quarter of 2027. The airline had planned to use the 777-9 to replace some of its older aircraft on long-haul routes.