Aviation

Exploring the Boeing 777x: Highlights from the Debut at Wings India

Boeing unveiled its Boeing 777x at Wings India for the first time after securing an order from India. We were thrilled to receive a warm welcome during our visit to Boeing at Wings India and had several inquiries.

During our tour with Jetline Marvel, we explored the Boeing 777x, delving into its interior cabin and inspecting the aircraft’s exterior. The Boeing staff at Wings India were exceptionally friendly.

As we strolled around the aircraft at Wings India, we noted its massive landing gears, reminiscent of those on the Boeing 777-300er. However, these were connected with new devices inside the brakes and an enhanced version of landing gears. An orange-colored wire was linked to various sensors located on the landing gears, displaying the aircraft system for testing and ensuring reliability.

Moving on to the wings, we observed the impressive wing structure made predominantly of composite materials, marking it as the largest wing for any commercial aircraft ever built.

Notably, the Boeing 777x boasts a wing-tip folding option, similar to the wing-folding feature found in the Fighter jet F18 aircraft. This innovation allows the aircraft to be efficiently parked on flight decks, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

Experimental aircraft

The tail wing of the Boeing 777x is equipped with cameras positioned in the middle, providing views of the landing gears and other critical areas during emergencies. Additionally, a camera is fitted just before the nose landing gear for continuous aircraft monitoring.

Entering the aircraft, we discovered a comfortably cool interior with minimal seating. The focus was on instrumentation and equipment arranged for monitoring the aircraft’s flight conditions, with some seats strategically placed in different surrounding areas.

The aircraft is equipped with ballistic water tanks to balance weight ratios during flights. b777 vs b747 tanks are located both inside the cabin and at the front portion, ensuring optimal balance throughout the aircraft.

a350 vs 777

In comparison to the boeing 777 vs airbus a350, the Boeing 777 features windows that are notably larger in size, providing passengers with an expanded and more panoramic view of the surroundings during the flight.

Boeing 777x has a Larger window

The Boeing 777X boasts larger windows compared to the Airbus A350, providing passengers with enhanced views, as evident in the accompanying image. Boeing asserts that these windows offer more expansive views than those of competing aircraft. According to reliable sources, these windows will feature an Automatic Brightness System, similar to the one found in the Boeing 787 aircraft.

Boeing 777x Engine

The Boeing 777x engine has set a world record, generating an impressive 134,300 pounds of thrust, capable of lifting a colossal 351.5-tonne aircraft with its twin engines. General Electric (GE) embraced the challenge of constructing such a massive-scale engine, surpassing the size of any other aircraft engine, a necessity to accommodate the substantial payload capacity.

Boeing 777x can 550 passengers

According to the Boeing team, this test flight is a rare occurrence driven by demand. Notably, the aircraft can accommodate 550 passengers, making it Boeing’s largest-ever aircraft. Currently undergoing certification, the aircraft is expected to be operational before 2025. Emirates Airlines is set to be the first operator of the Boeing 777X.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.