A production Boeing 777-9 for Lufthansa completed its first flight on Thursday May 7, according to flight tracking data.
The aircraft, registered N20080 and carrying manufacturer serial number 1781, flew from Everett, Washington, according to information shared by the Paine Airport account. The jet is expected to be delivered to Lufthansa, the launch customer for the type.
The flight lasted about three hours and followed a test profile over Washington state before returning to Paine Field. Images from the sortie show the aircraft still in Boeing’s standard green protective coating, without Lufthansa colors.
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This is one of the first production-standard 777-9 aircraft, rather than a dedicated prototype, indicating progress toward entry into service after years of delays.
Lufthansa has 20 firm orders for the 777-9 and is set to become the first operator of the type. The German airline has also ordered seven 777-8 freighters, with the first aircraft currently in assembly.
The 777-9 is the largest variant of the 777X family and features a new composite wing with folding wingtips, as well as GE9X engines. Boeing aims to certify the aircraft in 2026, with first deliveries expected in 2027.
The program has faced repeated delays linked to certification requirements and technical issues, pushing entry into service several years beyond its original schedule.
