Is It True That The Boeing 777X Needs Less Engine Thrust Than The Jet It’s Replacing?

When Boeing first unveiled the 777X, much of the attention focused on the aircraft’s folding wings, stretched fuselage, and enormous General Electric GE9X engines. Boeing marketed the aircraft as the next major evolution of the long-haul twinjet, promising 20% lower fuel burn per seat, a 40% smaller noise footprint, and lower operating costs than competing aircraft. However, hidden inside those headline claims is one particularly interesting detail that often gets overlooked.