We Flew the World’s First Airline 777-9 Simulator

[00:00:02]This is the 777-9 and we are among the first ever to fly it in the sim.

[00:00:12]>> You want to just talk. Let's see what [music] happens.

[00:00:17]Good to know.

[00:00:18]>> [music] >> Bank angle.

[00:00:21]Bank angle.

[00:00:22]>> Both are the same thing.

[00:00:27]>> [music] >> This right here behind me is the first airline operated 777-9 simulator in the world and we've been invited to go inside and check it out. We're going to see how is it different from existing 777s? Is it like a 787? Can you take off with those wing tips folded up? We're going to find out everything. We're going to take it for a spin. This is Lufthansa Aviation Training. Let's head in to the simulator.

[00:00:51]Boeing's new flagship 777-9 isn't even certified yet, but this simulator is ready for training awaiting the first bunch of pilots who will fly this airplane in the real world. Lufthansa Aviation Training has a massive simulator complex here and this is the newest model. First impression, [music] this thing is so brand new and fresh. It has that new airplane smell kind of. New sim smell, let's call it.

[00:01:15]And you notice the color is very different. If you've ever been in a traditional Boeing cockpit, especially the older 777s, they have that kind of very special beige beige brown. This is dark gray just like the 787. It's taking a lot of that kind of design language and everything feels a bit more modern.

[00:01:32]A lot of this is going to be very similar to what you find on an older 777, but there are some key differences.

[00:01:37]One of the main ones that you'll notice is that the FMC you can do touch screen.

[00:01:44]Now, that's a brand new thing in general in commercial aviation. But, what's cool about it also is that you still [music] have physical buttons.

[00:01:51]You're typing in with actual buttons here and then you can also select via touch screen. Still a lot of traditional standard buttons and levers. All the important stuff is >> [music] >> is physical and tactile, which is good, too. You also have these screens as they would look in the real thing. Of course, here it's a it's a computer-generated image. Of course, a lot of people fascinated with this particular [music] selector, which is brand new in the 777-9, very special because it has these folding wingtips. And that's because they needed to have a much longer wingspan, but [music] they wanted to fit into the same gates that the 777-300ER can. So, once it's on the ground, these things come up so it can park at all the gates that 777s are used to parking at. And you have this handy little display to show you, in addition to the camera view, when the wingtips are fully extended, as in ready for flight.

[00:02:43]And then when you select fold, it'll be in this kind of transition mode.

[00:02:48]And finally, when they're fully folded up, it will show that as well. Otherwise, very very nice nice to the touch, but classic Boeing yoke. And did you know that 777s have shoulder heaters, which we can Obviously, I don't think they work on this one.

[00:03:08]>> No.

[00:03:08]>> [laughter] >> So, it's not really going to give me shoulder heat, but we can simulate [music] the experience of turning this down and up. And that is not a new feature in the 777-9, actually.

[00:03:19]>> Also for feet.

[00:03:20]>> Also for feet.

[00:03:22]So, Boeing [music] does care about pilot comfort. Airbus is sort of thought of as the one that [music] thinks more in terms of toastiness of feet and like having tables for eating and things like that.

[00:03:33]But actually, you know, Boeing does put in some of these features, too.

[00:03:36]>> [laughter] >> Something that you'll notice in a lot of Boeing cockpits is this kind of fluffy furry seat cover.

[00:03:42]>> [music] >> And Airbus tends to not have that. The A350 famously has that kind of star pattern on just fabric. Uh let us know what you think, what you would prefer to fly with [music] in the comments. Would you like a fluffy furry seat or something a little more basic with star pattern? I think I'm into the fluff.

[00:04:01]So, one thing that's kind of cool to notice about the wingtips selector is that it has quite a different shape from everything else up here. Much more like >> [music] >> this kind of extended winglet shape, and it feels different to the touch. You also have to pull out to extend or fold, unlike the other buttons here like seat belts, where you just flip it on off as you wish. Now, obviously, this is a more critical selector. This is something that will impact [music] your flight characteristics. And so, it's much like some of these other levers like uh >> [music] >> the gear, which looks and feels a bit like a wheel, and the flaps selector, which also as you as you touch it, you feel that it's kind of in the shape of a flap. So, uh this is a common design approach for cockpit bits to make sure that critical selectors, critical knobs and levers, uh you know what they are just by touch.

[00:04:57]>> The 777-9, also referred to as the 777X, [music] is Boeing's next flagship. And at nearly 77 m long, it's the largest twin-engine passenger jet ever built. It'll seat roughly 375 to 450 passengers and fly up to around 8,000 nautical miles. Boeing promises its enormous composite wing and GE9X engines will cut fuel burn and emissions by around 20% compared with current generation 777s. It features [music] an exceptionally efficient wing thanks in part to that extra span allowed for by the famous folding [music] wingtips. It is also heavily delayed with entry into service originally planned for 2020, but it shouldn't be too much longer [music] now. As of July 2026, the test fleet has completed roughly 1,700 flights and 4,800 [music] hours. That's about half of the planned certification testing with ETOPS demonstrations and several final FAA approvals still to come.

[00:05:49]Lufthansa is the official [music] global launch customer for the 777-9 and they are no doubt awaiting it eagerly.

[00:05:55]Thousands of people tracked the first 777-9 destined for the Lufthansa fleet when it flew its first 3-hour 27-minute profile over Washington and Oregon in May 2026. Instead of a test interior, this aircraft is fully outfitted with the airline's passenger cabin. [music] Alongside that, the fact that they now have this sim in place for training is one more nice sign of the aircraft's progress toward actual flights with passengers. We, [music] of course, cannot wait.

[00:06:19]>> Actually, the the interesting part for us to have a simulator certified already, whereas the aircraft is still undergoing the certification process, means when the aircraft is certified, I probably there will be some updates that we have to do with the simulator, some flight model improvements, some parts that are coming out of the certification process of the aircraft, and will have an effect on the on the simulator for sure. We started this project obviously years ago when the aircraft was planned to be delivered to Lufthansa. Yeah, it's actually beneficial to have this much of time because you have the time to really dig deep in the system, also in the architecture of the the simulator. I mean, every simulator is like a unique, one-of-a-kind. And when we have the time to participate in the in the qualification process or in the in the acceptance process in the in the in on site, and we have the opportunity to insert our ideas how to how to build it, how to create it.

[00:07:15]>> One nice thing about being in these proper simulators is that you'll notice the the sound effects are really on point.

[00:07:22]So, as I turn off the seatbelt sign, you get that chime that really makes you feel like you're in the aircraft. Same, of course, with the sound effects you get when you're in flight. You know, it's it's not just simulating the look and feel, the touch, and the motion, it's also giving you that that audio input to sort of feel like you're really doing the thing, which is an important part of of doing this kind of training.

[00:07:42]>> Also, this airplane comes with a shaver.

[00:07:44]It's a good So, in case you feel like mid-flight you kind of need to trim the beard, no worries.

[00:07:49]>> When I filmed at the Dubai Air Show and went inside the 777-9, a lot of you who watched that were asking about whether it's possible to take off with these wing tips folded [music] up. And so, we're going to answer that question today. What happens right now? We have them folded as if we're parking after landing and [music] we're lined up to take off. So, let's say I forgot somehow and I'm going to try and take off. So, we're going to release parking brake and we're going to take off.

[00:08:15]Let's see what happens.

[00:08:24]>> [music] >> So, you see we get this config wing tips warning. It did not like it. Very loud oral warning as well. So, it's designed obviously to not let you make that mistake.

[00:08:37]Good to know.

[00:08:50]>> So, if I were to sit here, I could use my laptop.

[00:08:56]Well, that was also like Oh, look. The first The first one was actually um red.

[00:09:01]That's pretty cool.

[00:09:03]It's very nice.

[00:09:11]All right. So, [music] I get to fly now.

[00:09:12]So, let's see how that goes. Wing tips are extended.

[00:09:15]So, we're good to go.

[00:09:17]>> And you can put it like a little bit more down.

[00:09:18]>> Okay.

[00:09:20]Okay.

[00:09:20]>> And you would would have your arms on the armrest, you know, and then >> Yeah, okay.

[00:09:25]>> we would rotate at a speed of uh 133 knots.

[00:09:35]>> So, is roughly here.

[00:09:36]>> Yeah, roughly. And then you can push them up here.

[00:09:39]>> Up here, okay.

[00:09:40]>> Yeah, just one of them. You can push them both.

[00:09:42]>> Okay.

[00:09:43]>> And it should accelerate automatically.

[00:09:46]>> Ah, nice. Okay.

[00:09:47]>> You should remember that from 747. It has the same system.

[00:09:50]>> Yeah.

[00:09:50]>> Yes.

[00:09:52]>> Do you not remember that?

[00:09:54]>> [laughter] >> Okay, ready when you are. Parking brake?

[00:09:56]>> Parking brake is off.

[00:09:59]>> At 60%.

[00:10:00]>> 60%. Okay, on go time.

[00:10:05]Up.

[00:10:05]>> That's okay.

[00:10:06]>> Check this thing. How good?

[00:10:07]>> Check this.

[00:10:07]>> Okay, cool. So, we keep going.

[00:10:12]And then I'm at 60 and now I Yeah.

[00:10:25]>> And rotate.

[00:10:26]>> Rotate.

[00:10:30]>> Gear up.

[00:10:32]>> Can take your hands off the thrust levers.

[00:10:34]>> Nice. Full throttle thrust.

[00:10:36]>> Mhm.

[00:10:37]>> Nice.

[00:10:38]>> Flaps up.

[00:10:39]You can You can do a left turn to 066.

[00:10:43]>> Yep.

[00:10:44]I stay at the same pitch?

[00:10:46]>> Yes.

[00:10:46]>> Up.

[00:10:47]>> We go to like 5,000.

[00:10:49]>> Okay.

[00:10:54]>> Ah, not too steep.

[00:10:55]>> Yeah.

[00:10:56]>> Banking angle.

[00:10:57]>> Oh, yeah. Banking angle.

[00:10:58]>> [laughter] >> So, where are we flying to today? First officer Daniel.

[00:11:02]>> Wow.

[00:11:03]>> What flower does >> From Frankfurt to Frankfurt.

[00:11:05]>> Excellent. Sightseeing flight, 5,000 ft.

[00:11:08]Uh, cruising altitude.

[00:11:09]>> Where's the airport?

[00:11:11]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:11:17]What's the landing speed usually of this?

[00:11:18]>> Uh, we have >> Flaps.

[00:11:20]>> 141 knots. Give it a left turn to 340.

[00:11:26]>> Okay.

[00:11:40]>> And that should be the airport.

[00:11:42]>> Yep.

[00:11:44]Airport inside.

[00:11:46]>> So, have the localizer armed and you can start do the turn for the final.

[00:11:51]>> Yep.

[00:11:52]All right. Oh, yeah.

[00:11:54]True.

[00:12:03]I see the runway.

[00:12:04]>> We take the center one.

[00:12:05]>> The center one, all right.

[00:12:06]>> Yes.

[00:12:11]>> 2,500.

[00:12:16]>> I'm a bit low on the glide slope.

[00:12:18]>> Yeah, but that's okay. That's okay.

[00:12:19]>> Okay.

[00:12:22]>> Help you a little bit.

[00:12:23]>> Yep.

[00:12:27]So.

[00:12:29]Now I should be on the localizer.

[00:12:31]>> Yeah, that's okay.

[00:12:32]>> Yeah, perfect. So, now I just need to get the glide slope centered again.

[00:12:35]>> Yes.

[00:12:36]Localizer looks good.

[00:12:40]So, we flare at around 30 30 ft.

[00:12:44]>> 400.

[00:12:45]>> Okay.

[00:12:46]>> Okay.

[00:12:50]>> 300. Too steep.

[00:12:55]Approaching minimums.

[00:13:00]200.

[00:13:03]Approaching minimums.

[00:13:05]>> Okay.

[00:13:07]>> 100.

[00:13:10]>> That looks good.

[00:13:11]>> Okay.

[00:13:14]>> 50.

[00:13:15]40.

[00:13:17]30.

[00:13:17]>> And now we flare.

[00:13:18]>> 20.

[00:13:19]10.

[00:13:22]>> And now I push.

[00:13:23]>> I push.

[00:13:27]>> All right.

[00:13:28]>> Okay. so now I would also break with the brakes?

[00:13:31]>> Yes. I mean I have the auto brake on, but um you can do manual brake if you want.

[00:13:38]>> Okay.

[00:13:42]Brakes to the gate.

[00:13:45]All right.

[00:13:45]>> And I would say pretty centered.

[00:13:52]>> Ah.

[00:13:53]>> [laughter] >> Yes.

[00:13:54]>> All right.

[00:13:55]Yep.

[00:14:00]>> Perfect.

[00:14:00]>> All right, welcome to Frankfurt.

[00:14:02]>> Wow, that was >> [laughter] >> so intense on the controls. Like I would have to trim so much. Like wow.

[00:14:09]Yeah. So that's that's the most used button probably on the descent.

[00:14:14]Um that was pretty cool. Very very cool airplane.

[00:14:18]>> All right, pretty nice landing by Sofia.

[00:14:20]I'm going to see if I can do any better.

[00:14:21]We'll see. Uh we're going to do it with motion though for something a little different. That means everyone has to sit down now.

[00:14:26]>> Yeah. Can I sit here in the Can I sit on this bath or make people that are getting checked here?

[00:14:33]>> You can throw me some surprise turbulence.

[00:14:37]Continue.

[00:14:45]Cool.

[00:14:47]All right, ready when you are. Let's go.

[00:14:53]V1 and rotate.

[00:14:58]You can remove the head.

[00:15:07]Left turn 066.

[00:15:11]>> So I'm not following flight director at this point.

[00:15:13]>> Yeah, it should.

[00:15:18]>> Altitude >> Yes.

[00:15:21]>> Banking >> angle.

[00:15:22]Banking >> They both are the same thing.

[00:15:24]>> Yeah, yeah.

[00:15:26]>> Okay, so >> I rather do this.

[00:15:28]>> Yeah, for some reason the flight director is off.

[00:15:32]>> We have flight without it.

[00:15:33]>> Okay.

[00:15:37]>> Yeah, I think you can feel the slower we get the more the aircraft is is pulling you down >> Yeah.

[00:15:43]>> over the nose.

[00:15:44]>> Mhm.

[00:15:47]>> So means as if we want to stay on the same altitude we have to increase the pitch.

[00:15:51]>> Yeah.

[00:15:54]>> By just pulling on the yoke or give it a trim.

[00:15:58]>> Yeah.

[00:16:02]>> And give it also a turn to 340. Left turn.

[00:16:17]>> 1,000 400 300 Approaching minimums.

[00:16:44]Minimums.

[00:16:47]>> So we flare 30.

[00:16:48]>> Mhm.

[00:16:48]>> 100 50 40 30 20 10 >> All right.

[00:17:13]>> Good.

[00:17:14]>> But also again, perfectly on the center line.

[00:17:16]>> Did you get more perfect than me? I don't know.

[00:17:18]>> You both were perfect.

[00:17:19]>> [laughter] >> I mean, I've mostly flown Airbus simulators and it's such a difference with having to trim. That's the biggest by far the difference of in terms of like learning curve for non-pilot, you know, like just having to deal with that the whole time. This is a beautiful beautiful simulator, beautiful airplane.

[00:17:35]>> Below a certain speed after landing, the 777-9 will fold up its own uh wing tips so that you don't have to remember anything you can go park at the gate and not not hit anything.

[00:17:45]Yeah.

[00:17:47]>> Yeah, and you can see the switch rotate to fold.

[00:17:49]>> Yeah.

[00:17:50]>> And that happened automatically.

[00:17:51]>> Yeah.

[00:17:53]Cool.

[00:17:54]>> All right, thank you very much.

[00:18:01]>> All right, what a fun time. It's always an amazing day getting to be in a simulator, full motion simulator, amazing and so cool of Lufthansa Aviation Training to invite us back once again to check out this. I mean, what a beautiful as a beautiful airplane as we all know, and this simulator like I've never been in such a fresh uh nice beautiful smelling one.

[00:18:19]Although, we heard there was a uh What's it called? Wunder-Baum?

[00:18:23]We heard it was delivered with a Wunder-Baum, a air freshener for cars, and it had the new car smell. No evidence of that remaining, uh but it smells amazing anyway, and such fun to fly that thing. Thanks for joining. Uh for Flightradar24, I'm Gabriel Leigh.

[00:18:48]>> I'm there.