GE Aerospace redesigns GE9X turbine seal to fix Boeing 777X engine issue

General Electric has redesigned a cracked turbine seal in its GE9X engine, the exclusive powerplant for Boeing's 777X aircraft, resolving a key technical issue that threatened the program's 2027 delivery target. The crack, found on a flight-test engine, was isolated to a design tolerance issue rather than a systemic failure. GE has begun on-wing inspections, implemented FAA-overseen corrective actions, and is updating tooling while suppliers ramp up production for the revised component. Boeing's flight testing has continued uninterrupted, and the FAA's certification timeline remains intact. However, early 777X customers like Emirates, Lufthansa, and United rejected 20 already-built aircraft due to high retrofit costs, while Air Canada chose Airbus's A350-1000 over delivery certainty concerns.