Lufthansa joins Emirates in rejecting early Boeing 777-9s

Lufthansa has confirmed it intends to reject some of the earliest Boeing ↗ 1.12% 777-9 aircraft produced for the airline, joining Emirates in refusing to accept initial manufacturing batches of the long-delayed wide-body jet.

CEO Carsten Spohr said the airline is in active negotiations with Boeing over which airframes will not be accepted for commercial service and which could be modernized with financial contributions from the manufacturer. The decision follows years of delays in the 777X certification program that have left early-production aircraft technologically outdated compared to current standards.aviationweek

Emirates Drew the Line First

Emirates, the largest single customer for the 777-9, set the precedent in July when President Tim Clark declared at the Farnborough International Airshow that the airline would not take delivery of the first 10 airframes built for the carrier. "We're not taking that batch and that's it. As far as we're concerned, what they do with them is up to them," Clark said, according to Aviation Week.aviationweek

The rejected aircraft, produced between 2019 and 2021, were built during a period when the 777X certification program stalled due to design changes and testing delays. Airlines argue that retrofitting these early frames to the final production standard would require extensive structural modifications to wiring, control software, and cabin interfaces — work that carries costs neither carrier is willing to absorb.aviation

Testing Campaign Accelerates

Despite the delivery disputes, Boeing's flight-test program is gaining momentum. The seventh 777-9 completed its first flight on July 24, departing Paine Field in Everett, Washington, for a roughly three-hour flight over the Pacific Northwest. On August 3, Boeing flew five 777-9s within a 24-hour period for systems, propulsion, and interior testing.airlinegeeks

As of mid-July, the test fleet had logged more than 4,800 flight hours with 50% of planned certification testing complete, according to Boeing. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford has indicated the 777X could be certified in early 2027.boeing+1

What Comes Next

Lufthansa now expects its first operational 777-9 delivery in the first quarter of 2027, with entry into passenger service planned for the summer schedule — a seven-year delay from original contracts. The airline will retain aging Airbus A340-300s as a hedge against further slippage.aviation

For Boeing, the approximately 30 rejected early-build aircraft represent a financial and logistical burden. Industry reports suggest United Airlines ↘ 3.90% is considered a potential buyer for discounted airframes, though any third-party purchaser would still need to bring the jets up to its own operational standards.aviation