Aircraft
Boeing 777-8 Delay Adds Wrinkle to Project Sunrise Plans
The U.S. manufacturer confirmed that development of the smaller of the two 777X variants has slowed.
Boeing has slowed the development of the 777-8 to "reduce risk" and ensure "a more seamless transition" to the smaller of the pair of 777X variants. (Photo: Boeing)
Boeing has slowed the development of the 777-8 to "reduce risk" and ensure "a more seamless transition" to the smaller of the pair of 777X variants. (Photo: Boeing)

An unspecified delay to the development of the Boeing 777-8 has thrown into question Qantas’s Project Sunrise plans, under which the Australian flag carrier had expected to launch Sydney to London service using either the Boeing product or a proposed ultra-long-range version of the Airbus A350. Corroborating a report by industry journal The Air Current, Boeing confirmed the decision to slow development of the smaller of the two 777X variants but added that it does not intend to drop out of the Qantas competition.