Emirates First Boeing 777X Rolls Out of the Factory
By The Aviation Hub
3 min read
Updated September 27, 2026 
Emirates has moved another step closer to welcoming the Boeing 777-9 into its fleet.
A brand new aircraft destined for the Dubai carrier has been spotted rolling out at Boeing’s Everett facility in Washington State, still wearing its green primer as it heads towards the paint shop.
First Emirates 777-9 Emerges in Everett
The aircraft was seen at Paine Field after leaving final assembly.
It will now go through a paint process expected to take several weeks, after which it will emerge in full Emirates livery.
The rollout is a major milestone for a programme that has tested the patience of the airline and its president, Sir Tim Clark, for years.
Delivery is currently targeted for May or June 2027, in line with the airline’s own second quarter expectation.
Emirates will then need to complete its own operational preparations before the type enters commercial service.
Emirates Holds the Largest 777X Order
Emirates is by far the biggest customer for the 777X.
At the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, the airline ordered a further 65 Boeing 777-9s valued at US$38 billion at list prices, powered by 130 GE Aerospace GE9X engines.
That deal took its total 777X commitment to 270 aircraft, with the flexibility to convert some of them to the smaller 777-8 or a potential larger 777-10 in the future.
Deliveries are scheduled to run through to 2038.
The 777X backlog forms the bulk of a wider Boeing widebody commitment of 315 aircraft, which also includes 35 Boeing 787s and 10 Boeing 777 Freighters.
Once those deliveries are complete, Emirates will cement its position as the world’s largest 777 operator.
The Airline Has Rejected Early Build Aircraft
The relationship between Emirates and the 777X has not been smooth.
The airline has declined to accept roughly the first ten 777-9s built for it, some of which date back to 2019.
Clark has argued that these airframes have been modified so extensively that bringing them up to the current standard no longer makes economic sense.
At least one of those aircraft has reportedly already been scrapped.
Boeing Still Pushing for Certification
Boeing continues to work towards certification of the 777-9.
The test fleet has now logged more than 4,800 flight hours across around 1,700 flights.
The programme sits roughly seven years behind its original 2020 entry into service target.
A fuselage failure during static load testing in 2019 set it back, while a failed engine mount structure grounded the test fleet from August 2024 until January 2025.
Lufthansa is expected to become the launch operator in 2027, with Emirates following shortly afterwards.
What the 777-9 Brings to Emirates
The 777-9 features a large composite wing with folding wingtips and a pair of GE9X engines.
Boeing says the aircraft will burn 20% less fuel and produce 20% fewer emissions than the aircraft it replaces.
It typically seats between 375 and 450 passengers and can fly up to 8,000 nautical miles.
For Emirates, the 777-9 will form the backbone of its long haul fleet for decades to come.
This rollout is a clear sign that the long wait is nearing its end.
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