In the past, the consortium has said it wants five "launch customers" for the new aircraft before going ahead.

Virgin America will be the launch customer for the aircraft in spring of 2016.

Air New Zealand is the launch customer for the 787-9.

With an order for 12 aircraft, the airline became the launch customer of the enlarged Boeing 757-300.

Boeing 727-100 beginning in 1 February 1964 with Eastern as the launch customer.

Emirates has been reported as working closely with Boeing on the project, and may be the aircraft's launch customer.

Development is apparently on hold, awaiting a launch customer.

Without a launch customer development of this company-funded weapon ceased in 1991.

Turkey may have been the launch customer for the Harop in 2005.

United was the launch customer of the Boeing 777 and had significant input on its design.