Boeing previews 777X cabin and lighting concepts

With Boeing now having manufactured the last of its iconic 747 jumbo jets, there’s a new flagship in town for the US manufacturer. It’s not another double-decker – so it’s not quite comparable to the Airbus A380. Instead, Boeing’s new plane is the 777X.

The 777X is a more modern variant of today’s Boeing 777 family of jets. For instance, the existing Boeing 777-300ER is already widespread across many international routes from Australia. If you’ve recently travelled with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines, you might have found yourself aboard.

But this new generation of Boeing 777 – the 777X – is nonetheless designed as the next-best thing to a Boeing 747. For airlines, it’s more efficient with only two engines burning fuel rather than four in the days of the jumbo. In fact, the single-passenger deck of the 777X is so large that the tips of its wings have to fold up after landing so that it can squeeze into the gates at most major airports.

The 777X is planned to come in two varieties: first as a Boeing 777-8, and later, also as a Boeing 777-9. The -8 can accommodate around 395 passengers in a two-class layout, while the -9 could squeeze in about 426 flyers under the same conditions. By comparison, Lufthansa only carries 364 passengers on its Boeing 747-8s, with Air China at a similar count, with 365. Granted, those two carriers have more than just a simple floorplan, but it goes to show the sheer size of the Boeing 777X.

What does this all mean for passengers, though? What will the general atmosphere be like on board – and what will Economy be like, for the bulk of passengers who step on board? I’m glad you asked.

Seating on the Boeing 777X

Boeing’s biggest competing aircraft within the twin-engine category, the Airbus A350, is often marketed as the A350XWB. That stands for eXtra Wide Body, as airlines can accommodate nine passengers per row – and with room to spare around the shoulders. By comparison, the Boeing 777X is roughly 14 inches wider at armrest height. But that’s enough to squeeze an extra seat anyway.

Rather than nine-across, the Boeing 777X is designed for Economy to run in a 3-4-3 layout. Economy seats on the Airbus A350 are usually just under 18 inches wide. With Boeing having only 14 inches to make room for another seat, it means everybody’s seat will be just that little bit narrower than on an A350. It’s much like comparing seat widths on a Boeing 787 versus an Airbus A350 today. Or on a current Boeing 777 versus an Airbus A380.

(The Boeing 777X was the other aircraft competing for Qantas’ Project Sunrise order. In the end, Qantas chose the Airbus A350.)

We should point out that the Boeing 777X isn’t currently flying with any airline. It’s not yet in commercial service. That’s currently slated for some time in 2025, following five years of delays already. So, for an early peek at what’s in store, I catch up with Boeing at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany. Through a mix of walkable cabin mock-ups and CGI, I get to experience for a moment what the Boeing 777X will be like.

Boeing’s factories are based in the US, but the company has created a cabin mock-up here in Hamburg: a home city for Airbus.

Boeing’s 777X will suit 10-abreast seating in Economy.

Here’s a look at how a full cabin would appear.

In Economy, it’ll largely be ‘business as usual’, with a few subtle tweaks.

Airlines could technically offer this in Economy, which Boeing demonstrates, but even Boeing thinks it’s unlikely to be picked up.

Boeing is quick to point out that if airlines wanted to, the 777X is engineered to support a communal lounge space within the Economy Class cabin. However, Boeing readily admits that the commercial realities make this an unlikely concept. Instead, it’s designed to get the ball rolling with airlines on how best to use the 777X’s vast floorplan.

Overhead locker design on the Boeing 777X

Okay, so the Economy seats aren’t likely to be game-changing. Instead, Boeing turns its attention to the overall cabin design. The manufacturer wanted the cabin to feel more spacious, and curved ceilings play a big part in that.

Traditionally, overhead lockers stand out as bulky add-ons to the ceiling. But the 777X design places more of a rounded feel on these elements. Walking through a cabin mock-up, you do notice the difference. It also improves internal visibility from the window seats in Economy. You see more of those smooth lines and less bulkiness.

The lockers are sizeable: tall enough for passengers to stand their bags side-on. Depending on cabin layouts and baggage limits, airlines can also opt to omit the central overhead lockers to add to that feeling of space. Realistically, this is usually more likely in Business Class rather than Economy, as that area accommodates fewer passengers.

Notice the curves on the ceiling up from the lockers on the right.

Here’s what the centre would look like with lockers removed.

The shape and the design of the latch are both a little different from Boeing’s other planes.

There’s plenty of room, particularly when bags are stored on their sides.

You might recognise the seat in this visual as the same from Hawaiian Airlines’ new Boeing 787s.

As with Boeing’s other planes, airlines will have the option to install star-like LEDs across the ceiling panels. This typically increases the overall cost of the cabin fitout.

Speaking of lighting…

Nowadays, it’s practically expected that modern aircraft will have funky mood lighting. Of course, that’ll be true of the Boeing 777X. The cabin’s rounded ceiling design also comes into play because, like the design lines, the lighting patterns look more sleek.

Ultimately, it’s up to each airline as to how they want to use the system. Some carriers certainly do this better than others, with faded adjustments rather than sudden transitions. In this mock-up cabin, Boeing takes the chance to show just what the 777X can do.

There’s a lot that Boeing’s cabin lighting can do.

This reminds me of the boarding colour often used on Qatar Airways.

This option is more of a subtle light that suits late afternoon or early evening.

The lighting can also be more subtle, too.

Stars can be incorporated into the design as well.

Different zones can be different colours at the same time.

The lights can also twinkle, mimicking stars in the sky.

The sun can set well above the actual horizon, evidently.

The mix certainly looks like the sky.

You might notice the many different zones upon which different colours can be displayed simultaneously. You’ll also see that lights can paint colours across the front of the lockers and at other points in the cabin. As with aircraft flying today, airlines can program different sequences to use as desired. There can be different sequences and moods for different stages of the flight. For instance, sunrise, sunset, dining, sleeping, boarding, take-off, landing… it’s flexible.

Windows on the Boeing 777X

Will the Boeing 777X have dimmable windows – a staple of the Boeing 787? Not necessarily, Boeing tells me. While these ‘electrochromic’ windows are standard on the Dreamliner, they’ll merely be optional on the Boeing 777X. Boeing says that some airlines wanted the choice. It’s fair to admit too, plastic window shades are cheaper to install.

Naturally, I have to try it out. The physical window shade is… well… a window shade. As for the dimmable window, it has a sleeker look than on the Boeing 787. Rather than a big plastic button below the window, the dimmer is a small switch above. It makes it less likely to be bumped by elbows. Transitions on the window are also faster to complete.

You won’t necessarily have a dimmable window on the Boeing 777X.

Calming blue is often seen on Boeing aircraft. It does well when flying at night or with windows dimmed.

Dimmable windows are an option for airlines ordering the Boeing 777X.

A number of airlines have the Boeing 777X on order. One of its largest supporters is Emirates, which had been hoping to use the plane to launch a new Business Class product. However, delays to its entry into service mean that Emirates will fly its new seat on a more traditional Boeing 777 first.

Other major airlines with the Boeing 777X on order include Air India, ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. Another airline has also recently placed an order for 20 of the jets – but for now, the airline behind that order is a closely guarded secret. Watch this space.

Also read: Boeing’s new 787 Perch concept brings an inflight lounge to Economy

All photography by Chris Chamberlin for Point Hacks. Featured image generated by Chris Chamberlin from Boeing mock-up in Hamburg.