Boeing's 777X jetliner comes together

Travellers around the globe are one step closer to seeing a plane with its wings folded up being taxied to their gate. Slated to be one of the next darlings of commercial aviation, the Boeing 777X hit a production milestone this week when its major fuselage sections -- the airplane's nose, mid and aft sections -- were brought together. It has the longest body produced by the manufacturer, of 252 feet, and the widest wingspan of any aircraft in the company's 102-year history: 235 feet, five inches. The aircraft is the 777-9 variant, building on the 777 and 787 Dreamliner, and offering the largest, and most efficient, twin-engine in the world, Boeing said. Its hinged wingtips alone measure 12 feet, with locking pins to prevent them from folding during flight. The wings give the jetliner extra lift, similar to that of a giant sailplane glider, helping the plane to save an overall 12% more fuel than the Airbus A350, according to Boeing. Its first flight is scheduled for 2019 and first deliveries are in 2020. Seating 400 to 425 passengers, the plane features new lighting, architecture, a wider cabin and larger windows that are located higher on the fuselage than the current 777, the company said. Folding wings are a feature of military aircraft, such as the F/A-18 fighters which need to squeeze onto US aircraft carriers.<br/>