Boeing’s long-awaited 777X is expected to be a game changer in modern aviation. However, given its continued delays, fleet renewal and expansion plans from many of the world’s largest airlines are heading into a tailspin. The 777X, assembled at the Boeing Everett Factory outside of Seattle, Washington, continues to be tested and has yet to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.
The 777X was first launched in 2013, but only took its first test flight in 2020. From there, airlines have experienced delay after delay, and now the industry is only expecting to see the first delivery of the type in 2027. There are two subtypes: the 777-8 (range: 8,745 nautical miles / 16,196 km) and 777-9 (7,285 nautical miles / 13,492 km). So where could it fly? Simple Flying crunched the numbers with data from Boeing and analyzed where, once delivered, you could be flying on the 777X.
Please note these are listed in no particular order, the distance between airports is approximate, and the idea of these flights is only speculative.
Sydney To New York
8,646 nautical miles (16,012 km)
This city pair is already firmly in Australian carrier Qantas’ sights. The red-tailed airline has plans to operate the route as part of its Project Sunrise initiative, which will utilize the Airbus A350-1000 to make its dreams of serving the Big Apple from Sydney non-stop a reality.
The 777X (777-8) certainly has the capability (just) to connect the two cities; however, Qantas opted for the A350-1000 for several reasons, one of the most obvious being that the A350 is already flying, and has lived trouble free since 2018, compared to the 777X, which is still yet to be delivered to its first customer. Other factors at play are the apparent cost of the airframe and the fact that the A350 was the best option for the Australian carriers’ requirements. Qantas expects to receive its first A350 in 2026.
Qantas is already flying between Sydney and New York; however, for the time being, it is flown with the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner using a stopover in Auckland, New Zealand. Currently, the route is served five times weekly, and this is set to increase to daily over the US summer period in 2026.
Chicago To Singapore
8,131 nautical miles (15,059 km)
Could you imagine flying between the Windy City and the Lion City? Well, that could be up for grabs with the introduction of the 777X into commercial service. While Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is the home of United Airlines and a hub for Fort Worth-based oneworld carrier American Airlines, neither of these operators have ordered the 777X, so the chances of an American carrier operating the route remain incredibly unlikely. Looking to the other side of the Pacific Ocean, Singapore Airlines has ordered the 777X; however, only the 777-9 variant, which is not built to operate such a distance.
For those wanting this route to become a reality, Singapore Airlines does have an ace up its sleeve, being the world’s only operator of the Airbus A350-900ULR. This aircraft is especially designed for the airline and is capable of operating the city pair. However, for now, SQ deploys these aircraft on its route between Singapore and New York (you can read more about this route in the analysis of Singapore to New York below).
Currently, there are already several airlines operating direct flights from Chicago to Asia, which include Air India (Delhi), All Nippon Airways (Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita), Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), EVA Air (Taipei Taoyuan), Japan Airlines (Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita), Korean Air (Seoul Incheon), and United Airlines (Tokyo Haneda).
São Paulo To Mumbai
7,431 nautical miles (13,762 km)
India is the most populous country in the world, with more than 1.46 billion inhabitants, and for Air India, a new direct flight between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) could one day become a reality.
Air India has ten 777-9 on order. However, unfortunately, the range for these aircraft is only built to fly 7,285 nautical miles / 13,492 km, so the only chances of the Star Alliance airline connecting the two cities nonstop would be if the airline opted for the 777-8. This doesn’t diminish the chances of the city pair being linked one day. However, for now, it requires a stopover en route via destinations such as Dubai, Doha, Frankfurt, or London (this list is not exhaustive).
With data from the Núcleo de Estudos de População (Population Studies Center) of Brazil, it is estimated that around 25,000 inhabitants in Brazil have Indian origin, and the majority of this diaspora live around São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, so there could be demand for the non-stop link.
Dubai To Los Angeles
7,246 nautical miles (13,419 km)
This route is already served daily by Emirates’ double-decker Airbus A380. The route, which takes a total of 16 hours, 20 minutes westbound and 15 hours, 50 minutes on the return, provides a vital link for travelers looking to make the most of Emirates’ robust network of flights offered from its Dubai International Airport (DXB) hub.
Emirates has an exit strategy for its aging Airbus A380s, of which it is the world’s largest operator by far, with more than 100 of the type. The airline is looking to replace these aircraft with more modern and economically sustainable Airbus A350s, Boeing 787s, and the 777X. According to ch-aviation, the Middle Eastern carrier has 205 of the 777X on order, made up of 35 777-8, and 170 777-9.
As the world knows, Emirates dominates the market to and from Dubai, and the 777X could open the doors for other carriers to consider the city pair. However, the chances of this remaining slim, given that no US carrier has ordered the 777X, so it’s left up to Emirates to make the most of the monopoly on this route.
Tokyo To Panama City
7,309 nautical miles (13,534 km)
Probably the coolest thought in this analysis is the suggestion of a direct link between the bustling city of Tokyo and the historic sites of Casco Viejo or the Panama Canal. Should a direct flight ever take off from Narita International Airport (NRT) or Haneda International Airport (HND) and Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, it remains to be seen which carrier would operate the service.
Currently, Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (colloquially known as ANA), has 20 of the Boeing 777X (777-9) variant on order; however, this city pair would push past its acceptable range. The distance between Tokyo and Panama is over 7,300 nautical miles (13,500 km); however, the 777-9 is only built to fly 7,285 nautical miles / 13,492 km.
The only other glimmer of hope to ever see this city pair take off would be the chances of Panamanian carrier, Copa Airlines, ordering widebody aircraft, something the carrier has strongly noted it has no desire to do. The Panama-based airline, which has transformed PTY into a successful transit hub between North and South America, has a fleet of 737 aircraft and operates on a robust network of gateways across the two continents.
Singapore To New York
8,283 nautical miles (15,340 km)
These nonstop flights are already a reality, thanks to Singapore Airlines, and its ultra-long-haul Airbus A350-900ULR. The Singaporean flag carrier, which operates a robust network of short- and long-haul services from its home at Changi International Airport (SIN), serves both New York JFK and Newark daily with this direct flight.
Encompassing more than 17 hours when traveling eastbound, and 19 hours on the return, it holds the crown of the world’s longest nonstop flight. Singapore Airlines worked closely with Airbus to develop the unique ULR variant, which is perfectly suited and designed to operate the mammoth flight. Design changes to the aircraft, to make it suitable for the service, include aerodynamic performance improvements, which include extended winglets, and only offering business, and premium economy class seats onboard.
If the 777X were to operate on the city pair, this would open the door for other airlines (if interested) in operating the service to Asia. However, the likelihood of this happening remains slim, given that no US carrier has ordered the 777X, so for now, it’s all for SQ to enjoy.
Sydney To São Paulo
7,228 nautical miles (13,383 km)
This unique city pair would establish the first nonstop flight between Brazil and Australia. While it would not be able to follow the route shown in the picture above, due to ETOPS restrictions and the inability to fly direct over the South Pole, this would be a creative way to travel between the heart of Brazil and Australia’s largest city.
Currently, just two airlines are operating nonstop flights between Australia and South America, with LATAM Chile and Qantas, both flying between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) and Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), Chile, while LATAM is the sole operator on additional flights to Melbourne. From here, passengers can connect on nonstop flights to São Paulo with LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile, and Sky Airlines.