FAA approves TIA Phase 4B, opening the largest remaining block of 777-9 certification flights

Boeing/Boeing 777X

The FAA granted Type Inspection Authorization Phase 4B for the 777-9, letting FAA pilots and engineers join flight tests for the largest remaining part of the certification campaign. It covers avionics, stability and control, and human-factors testing. ETOPS, the approval for long flights far from diversion airports, sits in a later phase.

• Phase 4B follows the smaller Phase 4A; Boeing's Stephanie Pope disclosed it on June 6, 2026
• Covers avionics, stability and control, and human-factors flight tests
• ETOPS falls under Phase 5; Ortberg expects it to be the one item past year-end
• First delivery still targeted for early 2027, if certification lands in time