"Launch" of an airliner program does not refer to the first airframe going into service; it refers to the point where the manufacturer officially announces the

"Launch" of an airliner program does not refer to the first airframe going into service; it refers to the point where the manufacturer officially announces the program to airlines and begins taking orders. Typically the actual aircraft is years from being assembled and flying when that occurs (for example, Boeing launched the 777X program in 2013, and currently plans for the first actual 777X aircraft to enter service in 2020).