Boeing 777-9 clears FAA's largest remaining certification test block

Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope said the FAA has granted the 777-9 Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) Phase 4B, unlocking the largest remaining block of certification flight testing - covering avionics, stability and control, and human-factors work - in remarks at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro reported the week of June 8. Phase 4B is the last of the five TIA phases carrying a significant workload, keeping Boeing on course to certify the long-delayed widebody later in 2026 with first deliveries targeted for early 2027. The progress comes after Boeing trimmed 33 777X orders from its firm backlog amid the repeated certification slips.