Boeing’s Fifth 777X Takes Flight From Paine Field

Latest 777X airframe begins testing as company advances toward certification of its next-generation widebody.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, August 06, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Boeing's fifth 777X takes flight. [Courtesy: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing's fifth 777-9X production aircraft successfully completed its first flight from Seattle, marking an important milestone in its journey to certification.
This particular aircraft will test critical operational features, including climbs, turns, landing gear functionality, and resistance to lightning strikes.
The 777-9, part of the 777X family, features foldable wings and GE9X engines, designed for 10% lower fuel use, emissions, and operating costs compared to competitors.

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Boeing’s fifth 777-9X made its first flight Tuesday, launching out of Seattle Paine Field International Airport (KPAE) in Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle.

According to the Seattle Times, the aircraft lifted off at approximately 11 a.m. PDT. It is classified as a production airplane, with its primary function being to determine if certain features of the aircraft work as expected, such as climbs, turns, and descents, landing gear raising and lowering, and if it can withstand a lightning strike without any damage to critical aircraft systems.