Boeing unveils 777X cabin features
Boeing is set to roll the first 777X test aircraft out of the hangar very soon, and not only do they plan on shocking the world with its size and capability, but also with its interior.
Although we’ve already seen photos of the aircraft in the hangar and being pieced together by hundreds of skilled engineers, seeing the finished product outside is a major milestone for the company.
The aircraft, which is the larger 777-9 variant, will contain the typical test equipment and stations for flight-test engineers, however the final passenger cabin renderings for the aircraft have been unveiled.
The extensive effort to revolutionize cabin design with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been carried over to the 777X, which features improvements and new additions.
Windows
As a passenger, the one thing you hope for is a good window view if you like window seats. The 777X will enhance this experience with its enormous windows, which are bigger than the windows found on the 787, 777 and Airbus A350. Additionally, they’re also higher up, allowing for views that don’t require you to bend your head down or lean back at an uncomfortable angle.
The following table compares window sizes of the Airbus A350, Boeing 777 and 777X:
| Aircraft | Window Size |
| Boeing 777X | 162 in2 |
| Boeing 777 | 140 in2 |
| Airbus A350 | 125 in2 |
Additionally, the windows are the same electronically dimmable ones on the 787, which have gained mixed reviews from passengers, mainly because of their lack of complete blocking ability and control over flight attendants.
The Gentex electronically dimmable windows on the 777X are an improved model over the 787. Flight attendants will still maintain control of the cabin, however the windows will react twice as fast and will block 99.999% of visible light according to Gentex, all while you’re still able to see the scenery outside.
Cabin Design and Features
Boeing has also been working on some cabin features that will not only make flying more comfortable, but also easier to manage, which is especially important when the aircraft will be carrying 350-425 passengers depending on what variant is chosen and the configuration the airline opts for.
Bringing large baggage onboard is an increasing trend for travelers as it allows them to remove baggage collection from the list of tasks to complete, but what exactly do you do to accommodate such a large increase in carry on? Size up the overhead bins of course!
With a steeper angled face, Boeing is able to retain the feeling of a larger cabin while at the same time increase the depth of the bin, allowing for suitcase-like bags to be stowed away with enough space for everyone in the cabin, even if there is no bins along the center, as seen in this image:
The windows and overhead bin design all make a spacious and welcoming environment and it’s all thanks to the wider cabin which was made possible using new insulation and thinner wall fittings. A significant noise reduction is thanks to the highly-advanced General Electric GEnx engines which were recently installed. Boeing decided to eliminate the engine chevrons on the 777X for unknown reasons, however it is known that despite their aid in reducing noise, they add drag.
You can read about the installation of the engines here:
The ceilings are clean, open and feature the same LED mood lighting that we’ve come to expect on most modern aircraft these days, however positioned differently to make use of the new curves. Above each row of seating are individual air vents which, along with the cabin ventilation system, provide clean and comfortable air. However, unlike the 787, the 777X will feature a bleed-air system from the engines.
Shown below is economy class, which, from what’s visible in the image, features a standard looking seat pitch and windows at every row. This image also provides a good representation of the overhead bin sizes compared to the seats.
Entertainment screens will be of the latest generation and by the looks of the image, feature larger displays of HD quality.
Regarding layout, it’s highly likely that most airlines will opt for a 3-4-3 layout in economy. No visual information is available for premium economy, which is proving to be a very competitive position in the airline industry.
For a comparison of various premium economy products, see this article:
The renderings of the cabin features are the tip of the iceberg for the 777X. Like the original 777, Boeing sought after the feedback and ideas of potential customers. The ability to continually upgrade the cabin and have a good selection of suppliers is what allows such elegant cabins to be produced, no matter the airline.
However, this begs a very important question: Will this large selection of suppliers cause issues for manufacturing? Multiple customer choosing different products will mean specialty installation per cabin.
Avionics
Don’t like turbulence? The Boeing 777x has you covered with the latest generation of Smoother Ride Technology. Introduced on the 787 Dreamliner, Smoother Ride Technology is like the stability control system in your car. When the aircraft enters a patch of unpleasant air, hundreds of sensors detect the changes and feed the data to special computers that tell the flight controls what to do, ultimately reducing the pitching, rolling and yawing movements felt by the passengers.
As well as the Smoother Ride Technology being developed off the 787, the 777x will also feature a common cockpit and type-rating, allowing pilots to fly both. Additionally, the 777X will feature touch screens to enter and change flight data as well as a special folding wing switch on the overhead panel.
Success of the Mighty Triple Seven
Recently achieving over 2000 orders, it’s no doubt that the 777 has been a huge success. Boeing aims to continue this with the 777X, but will they be able to? It offers a 12% less fuel burn and 10% less operating cost figure compared to the competition, but ultimately it’s based off an architecture from the original 777 days.
Did the success of the 737 MAX and A320neo convince Boeing that a design update would do the job. 340 orders have been logged by the company by major customers including Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar and more, which is considered to be quite good considering the aircraft hasn’t flown yet.
What makes the 777X so interesting is it’s proven to capture the attention of the entire aviation industry. Is it because of the folding wing tips? Possibly, but perhaps because of its size and capability. The 777x is the birth of a new era of aircraft: Twin-engine, very-large aircraft.
The 777 is rapidly becoming my least favorite wide body aircraft. Great aircraft. Safe aircraft but now one to be avoided at all costs in 3x4x3 configs. To take comments from both Howard Miller and David Rosen… why would I fly it, if I have a better choice and I understand we should not blame Boeing?!
I was a frequent UA long haul Asian flyer. Loved the 777 in 9-abreast. One flight, just one flight on United’s new 777-300ER changed my entire thinking regarding UA and the 777s. Sitting in an aisle seat on a totally packed HKG flight was all it took. Forget it – never again United. No escape from the middle seat passenger’s shoulder for 14 hours. No escape from being bumped from the super narrow aisle. Jammed overhead bins and long lines for the lavs for basically the entire flight. 17″ seats for the long haul? Not for me.
Now instead of seeking out United and the 777, my first thought is how to avoid’em!
From what I can see here… the 777x will not be any better for eco passengers – though Boeing claims 4 ~ 5″ more width… that would likely translate to just a fraction of an inch per eco seat and aisles. Forget carriers choosing this bird with 10 abreast in economy. I know I certainly will.
Why blame boeing for the seating layout? It’s up to the airline to make economy pas;sengers comfortable or not.
The 777X is too large. It will take too long to board and leave as well as too long to collect luggage and process customs and immigration.
All of these innovations are nice, I suppose, but some improvements that would provide actual comfort to all passengers, particularly in coach, would be welcome. Among these would be guaranteed 18″ wide seats a la Airbus and air nozzles for every seat.
Agree 100%!!!
In fact, just this morning I booked a close personal friend for an upcoming trans-Atlantic business trip next month on flights scheduled to operate with Airbus’s far better (for Economy class passengers, especially) A330s in both directions to ensure they were NOT subjected to either of Boeing’s densified “torture tubes” that are its hideous ten abreast 777s and its equally horrible nine-abreast 787s for their upcoming 9+ hours flights.
I mean seriously, for the vast majority of flyers, and especially small businesspeople/entrepreneurs whose budgets don’t allow for travel in Prince (or Princess) class, why, when given even the slightest opportunity to fly aboard an eight-abreast, 2-4-2 Airbus A330 or A340 with their far more comfier cabins featuring wider aisles and 18” wide seats, would anyone choose a “densified” Boeing beast with their narrower 17-17.2” wide seats and those preposterously narrow aisles than even a relatively modest sized person like me (who’s all of 5’ 8” tall and whose waist, while not as slim as it used to be, is only 34-35”) cannot move through inflight without turning, pivoting sideways and then literally shimmying/shuffling up/down the aisles?
That’s just “plane”-crazy!!!
So, if these (too good to be true/pretty to look at, but alas very misleading) renderings of a gorgeous (and spacious) economy class cabins Boeing is depicting as what’s in store for economy class flyers when the 777X enters service really are like this – then great!!!
Whoo-hoo! I’ll be first in line to fly these birds of the future!!!
But, seeing is believing, and unless and until the Economy class cabins look THIS pretty for real when one steps aboard them in 2020 (and beyond) with seats as wide, spacious and comfy as these seats appear to be in Boeing’s alternate universe/fantasyland…er artist’s rendering – then we’d all be wise to take these very pretty, but alas, likely to be “too good to be true” Economy class seats/cabins with a grain of salt!
…because, you know, if something sounds to good to be true, or looks to good to be true, nearly always the reality turns out to be just that – too good to be true!
Just sayin’ 😉