Actually, 3 of the 4 777-9 prototypes flew today. Later N779XX as BOE002 flew to Montana and back (duration 6 hours), apparently looking for ice and turbulence for FAA certification testing. Yesterday that same plane flew for 5 hours around southwestern Canada where it apparently found snow and ice. https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N779XX/history/20260424/1840Z/KBFI/KBFI #B779 #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW

#Boeing is test-flying two 777-9 prototypes over Washington State at the same time. N779XW is BOE001. N779XZ is BOE004. Most weekdays lately (and some weekends) when I glance at the map, I spot one during the late morning through the afternoon. The 777-9 testing is approaching FAA type certification expected later this year. #B779 #aviation #travel #avgeek #PNW

Boeing flew one of the 777-9 prototypes (N779XW as BOE001) multiple hours every day this week. The amount of testing going into certification of the 777-9 is noticeable. This flight shown here was all over or off the coast of Washington. But some fly over Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, etc. https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N779XW/history/20260403/1710Z/KBFI/KMWH #B779 #aviation #business #travel #avgeek #PNW

"Boeing’s certification ‘hangover’ drags on with new 777X issue" by @TheSeattleTimes - An unspecified engine issue with a Boeing 777-9 prototype plane reportedly won't delay its certification or entry into service. But it also won't allow them to finish early. Boeing's CEO describes 777-9 and 737MAX7/10 certification issues as a "hangover" looking back at otherwise improved 2025 which returned to positive cash flow. https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-certification-hangover-drags-on-with-new-777x-issue/ #B779 #aviation #business #travel #avgeek

The flight track included a vertical profile which showed the 777-9 prototype only descended to 10,000ft while over Minnesota. So why did they fly to Minnesota for freezing precipitation when they can also find that in the Pacific Northwest? Though they can find icing conditions at 10,000ft in Washington State, there's also terrain and terrain-related turbulence. For that flight test it looks like they wanted more ice, less turbulence and no terrain. #B779 #aviation #weather #avgeek

Here's a flight track with a hint about #Boeing 777-9 flight testing progress. In order to be "approved for flight into known icing" the Boeing test pilots have to hunt for known icing🥶❄ conditions and fly in it for hours. They flew from a flight test base in Moses Lake WA #KMWH to Minnesota last Tuesday, and returned to MWH. Minnesotans probably don't usually expect anyone to go there for the weather this time of year. 😀 https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N779XX/history/20251125/1800Z/KMWH/KMWH #B779 #aviation #business #travel #avgeek

With Boeing 777-9 production starting to move again and certification apparently within months, I'm looking forward to seeing brand new ones start coming to Portland #KPDX to be painted. I'll share pictures when I can catch them. I saw lots of them parked at Everett a month ago, waiting for progress like this before they could be readied for flight. https://avgeek.social/@ikluft/114818660781502396 #B779 #aviation #business #travel #avgeek #PNW