The first Boeing 777-8 Freighter has reached an advanced stage of assembly at Boeing’s Everett factory, with recent images showing the aircraft structurally complete and awaiting engine installation.
Images shared by aviation photographer Paine Airport show the aircraft, line number 1844, positioned at Boeing’s widebody production site in Washington state. The jet is expected to be delivered to Cargolux, the launch customer for the freighter.
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The aircraft has reportedly moved from Boeing’s 40-24 building to the main 777 production line in 40-25, where it will undergo further systems installation and testing before eventually beginning flight trials.
The latest development comes roughly a month after Boeing confirmed that the aircraft had completed its wing-body join, one of the most important structural phases in final assembly. At the time, teams had also begun installing systems and wiring in other fuselage sections.
Boeing started building the first composite wing components for the aircraft in mid-2025 as the program moved from design work into physical production.
The Boeing 777-8 Freighter was launched in 2022 as the cargo variant of the delayed 777X family and is intended to replace the current Boeing 777F, which will stop production by the end of 2027 due to new ICAO emissions rules.
The aircraft has accumulated 68 orders so far and is expected to enter service around 2028 or 2029.
Powered by GE9X engines, the freighter is designed to carry up to 118 tonnes of payload and fly routes of roughly 4,410 nautical miles.
The program is also facing growing competition from the Airbus A350F, which is targeting replacement demand for aging large freighters such as the Boeing 747-400F.
