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

We were among the first people in the world invited to fly the Boeing 777X in one of only three 777-9 full-flight simulators in existence, and the first one put into service for an airline. In this video Gabe and Sophia visit Lufthansa Aviation Training to take control of Boeing’s new flagship before the real aircraft has even been certified. Maybe most importantly: they test out what happens if you try to take off with the famous wingtips folded up! Inside the brand-new Boeing 777-9 simulator, we explore the 777X flight deck, see how it differs from the current Boeing 777 and investigate its most famous feature: those enormous folding wingtips. What stops pilots from taking off while they are still folded? And what would actually happen if they tried? And what is the selector like to fold and extend them? The Boeing 777-9 is the largest twin-engine passenger aircraft ever built. At nearly 77 metres long, it is designed to carry roughly 375 to 450 passengers and fly around 8,000 nautical miles. Its enormous composite wing, folding wingtips and GE9X engines are intended to deliver substantially better efficiency than the current generation of Boeing 777s. The programme has faced major delays, with entry into service originally planned for 2020. As of July 2026, Boeing says the 777-9 test fleet has completed roughly 1,700 flights and more than 4,800 flight hours, but only around half of the planned certification testing is complete. First delivery is now expected in 2027. Lufthansa is the global Boeing 777X launch customer and is preparing to introduce the aircraft with its latest Allegris passenger cabin. Its first fully outfitted 777-9 has already completed its maiden flight (tracked by thousands on Flightradar24 in May 2026), while this new simulator will eventually be used to train the pilots who fly the aircraft in passenger service. Join us for an exclusive early look inside the Boeing 777X, its unique folding wingtip system and one of the world’s rarest commercial-aircraft simulators. SECTIONS: 00:00 The first airline 777X sim! 01:06 777-9 cockpit tour 02:07 Folding wingtips selector 03:00 Pilot comfort (Boeing has seat heaters?) 04:56 777-9 Program Status 06:19 Interview w/ Head of Flight Sim Operation 07:48 What happens if you take off with wingtips folded??? 09:10 Sophia flies a traffic pattern 14:35 Gabe flies a traffic pattern (with motion) 17:20 Overall impressions and conclusion #777X #Boeing #pilottraining