By Samuel Ssenono
For the first time in nearly five years, a newly built Boeing 777-9 has taken to the skies, marking a key milestone in the journey toward certifying the company’s next-generation widebody aircraft.
On August 5, the fifth 777-9 lifted off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at 11:03 a.m. local time. The two-and-a-half-hour flight, led by Capt. Ted Grady, the 777X chief pilot, and Capt. Mark Brown, the 777-9 project pilot, followed a carefully planned route over Washington state. They climbed to 39,000 feet and reached an airspeed of Mach 0.84, typical of a first flight. By 1:30 p.m., the aircraft was back on the ground at Paine Field, flight complete.
“The 777-9 flies beautifully, and this airplane performed just as we expected,” said Capt. Grady after landing. “We appreciate the hard work of our teams who designed, built and prepared this airplane for flight.”
This aircraft, designated WH286, is the fifth member of the 777-9 test fleet. While the program has already logged more than 4,000 hours of flight testing, this latest addition signals continued momentum toward certification and future commercial service.
Also on board were systems operators Zach Lewis and Joel Conard, as well as flight analysts Cody Bruinsma and Mike Deutsch, who monitored performance throughout the flight.
Since rolling out of the factory last month, the airplane has undergone engine runs and extensive taxi tests. Behind the scenes, engineering teams have been pushing through a long list of checks to ready it for flight.
Michael Kellner, who led coordination across engineering disciplines for this aircraft, spoke of the personal pride involved. “We care for these airplanes; we even view them as our kids,” said Kellner, who started at Boeing 16 years ago as an intern. “It’s just an immense surge of pride and excitement to see our airplane take flight.”
With this test flight complete, the aircraft will now undergo further ground and in-air evaluations to meet strict safety and regulatory requirements. Among other things, it will be tested for resilience against electromagnetic interference and lightning strikes.
The 777X program includes the 777-9, the longer variant; the 777-8, designed for ultra-long range and cargo operations; and the 777-8 Freighter. Boeing has booked more than 550 orders for the family so far and is aiming to deliver the first 777-9 in 2026.
For now, WH286’s clean first flight is a clear sign the program is inching closer to the finish line — and toward joining airline fleets around the world.
