Boeing Mechanic Josh Gonzalez showcases a 777-9 folding wing tip latch pin actuator.
As the 777-9 certification program marches toward expected completion in time for deliveries to start in 2026, Boeing is helping customers prepare for the model’s entry into service—including the technicians that will be supporting the new widebody.
Boeing recently held its latest “Maintain Like An Airline” event, hosting mechanics from a dozen 777-9 customers in Everett, Washington. The events feature interactive maintenance demonstrations by Boeing representatives and give customer representatives the chance to see new systems firsthand, ask questions and provide suggestions, an internal Boeing story on the event said.
“Customers know how to work on their legacy 777s,” said 777-9 Chief Mechanic Jose Santiago Rivera. “They know how to work on their 787s, which this airplane has a lot of commonality with. But there are new systems on this airplane that they’re very interested in. So, they want to come out here and practice before they get the airplane into service.”
Among the notable systems being introduced on the 777-9 are the aircraft’s folding wingtips and GE Aerospace GE9X engines. The customer technicians have spent considerable time examining both.
Boeing regularly works with customers to prepare for a new aircraft’s entry into service. The 777-9 technical familiarization program is the most extensive yet involving airline maintenance representatives.
The aim is twofold—get customers familiar with new systems and the day-to-day basics of the model’s maintenance program.
“We’re trying to live a day in the shoes of an airline to see how their operations work from the Boeing perspective, to get learnings, bringing the customers into the experience,” said Grady Martin, a Boeing systems engineering manager and part of the 777-9 integration team. “We’re getting feedback from the airlines that we get to go back and work before entry into service.”
In addition to seeing system and maintenance procedure demonstrations, customers have reviewed maintenance and training documentation and provided feedback that has prompted changes.
“Here on the 777X, we have been able to bring in our ideas from a very, very early starting point,” said Jochen Laube, Lufthansa 777X chief mechanic.
In one case, mechanics pointed out that a fan cowl latch was hard to open and required special tooling. The group wanted Boeing to look at redesigning the part. Boeing not only looked into it—they made the change.
“You won’t find that latch anymore,” Laube said.
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