While travellers still acquaint themselves with the now up-and-running Dreamliner 787, Boeing is already looking to the future revealing this week that their new 777x aircraft is almost ready for flight.

The new plane, which builds on the design of the already successful Dreamliner, promises to deliver a new flying experience thanks to its new jet engines which will see the aircraft fly greater distances at greater speed.

The engines, which will be the largest ever seen on a commercial jet, will hang from a 72m carbon fibre wingspan – the longest of any plane Boeing has ever made. It’s so big, in fact, that custom folding wingtips had to be designed by Boeing engineers to ensure it would fit within existing airports.

But while gigantic in size, the jets are being touted as quieter and more efficient, with a 12% reduction in fuel consumption and 10% lower operating costs in comparison to its competition.

While it’s unlikely to lower ticket prices in the short term, what it translates to for passengers is a cabin that’s four inches wider and windows that are 16% larger than those currently found on the existing 777 planes. Even though airlines will add their own interiors and cabin arrangements, Boeing’s new design includes new lighting and a ventilation system that’s set to help reduce fatigue and jetlag, similar to the one found in the Dreamliner.

It’s not the only feature that’s been overhauled though. Overhead cabin lockers have been designed to be concave in shape, providing more space in the cabin itself. The new shape also means that the effort required to close the lockers has been reduced by 40% compared to the current design found in most planes.

Boeing is currently working on two iterations of the plane, the 777-8x seating up to 375 passengers and a larger 777-9x aircraft with the capability to fit up to 425 passengers onboard. It’s the new features combined with the planes ability to deliver long-haul flights more efficiently that has seen airlines snap them up. More than 320 orders have already been placed, with 150 of them going directly to Emirates alone. The planes themselves though aren’t cheap, with a listing price tag at the pointy end of $338 million each for the larger 777-9x.

Closer to home, Qantas has already successfully launched its direct route from Perth to London with the Dreamliner. Now, the airline is preparing for its non-stop flights from Sydney to London and New York by 2022, having set the challenge for both Boeing and Airbus to help them deliver on their promise back in 2017.

“We believe advances in technology in the next few years will make Sydney to London direct a possibility and Qantas is well placed to be the airline to do it,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said.

“Any aircraft purchase would have to meet strict financial thresholds, but these direct flights would be revolutionary for air travel in Australia.”

Will the Boeing 777x be the winning ticket to non-stop flights between Sydney and London?

Only time will tell.