Emirates should have a double debut next June. The Gulf airline is the first customer for the Boeing 777X and has ordered a total of 150 aircraft of what will be the world's largest twin-engined aircraft. With the takeover of the first aircraft, however, the company also wanted to launch its new Premium Economy Class.
But after a series of disruptions bothered the new aircraft program, Emirates also lost faith in a punctual delivery. In June, Boeing had to postpone the maiden flight it had originally planned for the summer until next year. A design flaw was discovered in General Electrics' GE9-X engine that has yet to be corrected. A second setback followed in September when a cargo door failed a ground test.
New Premium Economy debuting on A380
At a media meeting last week, Emirates CEO Tim Clark clearly stated in reply to a question as to whether Emirates is still expecting the 777X in June: «I strongly assume that it won't be the case,» according to several sources. Emirates will introduce the new Premium Economy on the Airbus A380 in December 2020.
Since this summer it has been highly probable that Boeing will no longer be able to meet the original deadline. The manufacturer was anticipating first deliveries by the end of 2020, but Emirates is still completely unclear as to when it will be able to receive its Boeing 777X. «So if you ask me when, how, and what, I can’t tell you because I don’t know.» the Bloomberg news agency quotes Clark on Emirates' plans for the long-haul aircraft.
