Boeing 777X expected to fly for the very first time this week

The Boeing 777X will be the largest ever twin-engined airliner.
The Boeing 777X will be the largest ever twin-engined airliner. Photo credit: Boeing.

Troubled aircraft manufacturer Boeing will conduct the first test flight of its brand new 777X aircraft in the US on Thursday (local time), according to Reuters.

A source linked to one of the nine airlines who have confirmed orders for the new aircraft told the news agency the aircraft was likely to take-off for the first time by the end of the week.

The Boeing 777X will be the largest ever twin-engined airliner and able to carry an average of 406 passengers.

The 777X wings are designed to fold up when parking.
The 777X wings are designed to fold up when parking. Photo credit: Boeing.

The massive aircraft is the latest in the 777 series. Air New Zealand currently operates Boeing 777-200s and 777-300s.

The 777X has a wingspan so wide, the wings are designed to fold up to allow it to park at airport gates.

There's a lot riding on the success of the new aircraft which can carry nearly as many people as a 747, but with only two engines.

Boeing is experiencing arguably its worst period in its more than 100 year history. Hundreds of its brand new 737 Max 8 aircraft remain grounded as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigates the cause of two fatal crashes involving the airplane, killing a total of 346 people.

A trading hold was put on Boeing's shares earlier this week after the FAA announced further delays in allowing the Max 8 to take to the skies again.