Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg says B777X certification process has fallen further behind schedule

Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg has stated the B777X certification process has fallen further behind schedule but expects it in 2026 without further slip to 2027, with a mountain of work remaining.

The manufacturer discusses next steps with the Federal Aviation Administration, where even a minor delay impacts finances, and conceded being behind the certification plan. The B777-9, first of the B777X Family, was initially expected certified in 2020.

Boeing aims to increase the B737 MAX production rate cap from 38 to 42 aircraft per month by year-end after improving one of six key performance metrics on out-of-sequence work. Boeing progresses on FAA approval for B737-7 de-icing system changes, expecting certification in the first quarter of 2026, and plans deliveries that year.

Kelly Ortberg shared: “We’re clearly behind our plan in getting the certification done. We’re in the process right now of working with the FAA on the certification of that design, what tasks need to be done, so we’re still planning on getting that certification done next year, getting aircraft delivered next year. I can’t imagine that we can do a new aeroplane without having that process refined.”