Boeing tests 777-9 in Iceland’s crosswinds

Boeing’s first 777-9 has arrived in Iceland for weather testing and is expected to stay until next week, mbl.is reports. The aircraft landed at Keflavik Airport on Tuesday.

Boeing said in a Facebook post that the tests will include crosswind trials. The manufacturer noted that strong winds are expected on some of the days the aircraft is in Iceland.

The 777-9 is the longest version of Boeing’s 777X aircraft, which have been in development since 2013. The company hopes to complete testing next year and have the aircraft approved for service in the same year.

The 777-9 will seat between 375 and 450 passengers and have a range of more than 14,800 kilometres, enough to fly from Iceland to Australia. By comparison, Icelandair’s Airbus aircraft seat 187 passengers. The 777X models are designed to be spacious, long-range and more fuel-efficient than older generations of Boeing aircraft.

Lufthansa has ordered 20 aircraft and is expected to receive the first 777-9s. The aviation industry is waiting for the 777X aircraft to enter service.