Emirates has just placed another massive aircraft order, though what does that really even mean at this point? It’s a big day for Emirates, as the airline has also announced plans to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi.
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Emirates ups Boeing 777X order by 65, to 270 jets
Emirates has today announced that it has increased its Boeing 777-9 order by 65 aircraft, meaning the airline now has 270 of these planes on order. The planes are expected to be delivered to Emirates through 2038, and at list prices (which airlines never pay), this incremental order is worth $38 billion.
As a reminder, the 777X is Boeing’s latest generation version of the 777, and it’s the largest passenger plane that’s currently planned to be in production. Unfortunately we’ve seen massive delays with the plane — while it was supposed to enter service in 2020, it has been delayed by at least seven years, through 2027. Every time that I think the plane might actually enter service, it gets delayed by another year, so let’s see how this plays out.
The agreement with Boeing includes options to convert the latest order into either the 777-8 or 777-10. The 777-10 doesn’t actually exist yet, but Emirates is arguing that this provides strong backing for a 777-10 feasibility study. After all, Emirates wants planes that are as big as possible. If Boeing starts working on the 777-10 now, maybe it can be certified by 2070!
Emirates currently has a fleet of 269 aircraft, and it now has 367 more frames on order. This includes 52 additional Airbus A350-900s, 270 Boeing 777-9s, 10 Boeing 777 freighters, and 35 Boeing 787s.
Here’s how Emirates CEO Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum describes this latest development:
“Emirates is already the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator and we are expanding our commitment to the programme today with additional orders worth US$ 38 billion for 65 Boeing 777-9s, and 130 GE9X engines. This is a long-term commitment and testament to our partnership with Boeing and GE, and to US aerospace.”
“Each of our aircraft on order has been carefully factored into Emirates’ expansion plan, which is aligned to Dubai’s growth plans. Flying a young and modern fleet with innovative cabin products has always been a cornerstone of Emirates’ strategy, and we look forward to continue working closely with Boeing to receive delivery of our first 777-9s from Q2 of 2027, and to equip our latest aircraft with state-of-the-art, industry-leading onboard products.”
“Emirates has been open about the fact that we are keen for manufacturers to build larger capacity aircraft, which are more efficient to operate especially with projected air traffic growth and increasing constraints at airports. We fully support Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10 and have options to convert our latest 777-9 order to the 777-10 or the 777-8.”
What can we make of Emirates’ top-up Boeing 777X order?
Emirates is such a funny airline, because its massive size distorts the excitement we’d otherwise feel about an aircraft order like this. Emirates’ incremental Boeing 777X order is bigger than any other carrier’s total 777X order, just to put things into perspective.
But that’s also not surprising. When the Airbus A380 was in production, Emirates ordered as many of those as all other airlines combined, and it’s turning out to be a similar story for the 777X.
Emirates has an incredibly efficient hub and great geography, and there are seemingly no limits to how many passengers the airline can transport, as long as regulatory issues aren’t at play.
But the truth is that it doesn’t matter if Emirates has 10, 100, or 1,000 777Xs on order, if Boeing can’t actually get the plane certified. I have to imagine that Emirates has huge flexibility with this order, given the extent to which the airline is supporting the 777X program, plus the seven year delay, and counting.
We’ll see how this plays out, but if this actually materializes (and that’s a big “if”), this might be the largest wide body fleet of any one aircraft type ever. I can’t think of any other airline that has operated a fleet of anywhere close to 270 of the same wide body aircraft.
Emirates is also rumored to be planning an Airbus A350-1000 order, given the uncertainty surrounding the 777X.
Bottom line
Emirates has just ordered another 65 Boeing 777Xs, bringing the carrier’s order book for the aircraft to 270. That’s an astonishingly big order. The issue is that the 777X still isn’t actually certified, and it’s now seven years behind schedule, with the potential for that to slip further.
Given that Emirates needs to replace the A380, it’s not surprising to see the airline ordering so many 777Xs. I assume the airline has a ton of flexibility with this order, given what a good customer it is, plus the ongoing delays.
What do you make of Emirates’ latest Boeing 777X order?
I will state what not many will venture to avoid. This order won't have happened with a weak President. I don't know the politics, but no one can deny he has a lot of countries trying to get on America's good side.
He has been Boeing's top salesman because Boeing is the US largest exporter.
but the real reason for this order is exactly what Ben noted: EK wants the biggest airplanes available and that is the 777X right now, even if it is still delayed. The fact that the A380 has about a dozen years left before large numbers have to be retired means EK has to start ordering airplanes that are as close in...
He has been Boeing's top salesman because Boeing is the US largest exporter.
but the real reason for this order is exactly what Ben noted: EK wants the biggest airplanes available and that is the 777X right now, even if it is still delayed. The fact that the A380 has about a dozen years left before large numbers have to be retired means EK has to start ordering airplanes that are as close in capacity; EK wants a bigger 777-10.
lots of airlines are buying Boeing planes in order to help seal trade deals w/ the US but the ME3 and esp. EK are predominantly driving the 777X not unlike what happened with the A380
This is a...stretch (pun not intended).
While it would be nice to see a brand new 777 customer aside from LH, I hope we see some new 777X customers down the line rather than top-ups from existing customers.
But more orders are always nice regardless of who its from and the amount.
The likelihood is that this massive 777X orderbook for EK will replace its 380s and 777-300ER/200LR fleet.
the real news is the potential development of the 777-10 and how much more range it will have compared to a simple stretch of the 777-9.
Also, Boeing appears to be walking away from the 777-8 given that EK has converted all of its orders to -9s. If so, then the 350-1000 will be the undisputed longest range new generation powered aircraft
@Tim Dunn
It looks like Emirates has officially converted all their 777-8 orders to the larger 777-9.
Still kissing Airbus butt, Timbits. Do you wait until Bastian gets finished, or do you dive right in?
There is no emotion in facts.
Airbus has stayed focused on its business while Boeing has made one strategic mistake after another.
You should honestly look at a few financial reports now and then.
Boeing took a $5 billion charge in the 3rd quarter because of further delays to the 777X which pushed its 3rd quarter and year to date losses from operations to about $5 billion - which is no different than what has...
There is no emotion in facts.
Airbus has stayed focused on its business while Boeing has made one strategic mistake after another.
You should honestly look at a few financial reports now and then.
Boeing took a $5 billion charge in the 3rd quarter because of further delays to the 777X which pushed its 3rd quarter and year to date losses from operations to about $5 billion - which is no different than what has previously happened to the MAX 7 and 10 and 787.
Boeing simply continues to burn the furniture in the hope of getting its products certified and delivered to its customers.
Airbus simply is not doing that as much as you want to believe otherwise.
Not an expert so interested to understand - first, why the obsession around what is seemingly a cursed plane ?
Second - given the demand and Boeings inability to deliver, how come we don’t hear of airbus developing a similar plane? The a350 is a lovely bird but not quite the size and range of the 777 if I understand correctly
Hi Ben, The Hilton meeting is today, will you post the news on HH tonight?
But will it have the game changer F?
With this incremental order for 65 777-x, it seems like they will not order the A350-1000.
No, the A350-1000 is comparable to the 777-8, whose order may now be cancelled as it has been pushed back to mid-2030s.
This new order seems to be for encouraging Boeing to build the 777-10 in which Emirates is very interested.
@Maitreya
It looks like Emirates has officially converted all their 777-8 orders to the larger 777-9. So may be that leaves room for the A350-1000 in Emirates' fleet.
https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/safety-ops-regulation/boeing-777x-moves-next-certification-phase
More information on the next phase
Probably because Boeing got a major breakthrough in certification. They just got approved for phase 3 of certification which is the biggest phase. That’s probably what is giving emirates confidence.