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?
Would Boeing be able to make the 777-300er still?
Nice to see the OMAAT audience being suppportive of Boeing once.
Thanks Tim Dunn for your sabotage.
Facts speak for themselves huh?
Facts are not sabotage.
I support Boeing and the truth.
Boeing very well knows how much trouble they're in; late last week they shifted 33 more 777s to the ASC-606 accounting category, meaning that they are not confident that those 33 orders will be fulfilled. If conditions change, they can put those orders back on the the books, but for now, Boeing is further formally acknowledging their problems - which are exacerbated by the fact that some of the new 777s are already so old...
Boeing very well knows how much trouble they're in; late last week they shifted 33 more 777s to the ASC-606 accounting category, meaning that they are not confident that those 33 orders will be fulfilled. If conditions change, they can put those orders back on the the books, but for now, Boeing is further formally acknowledging their problems - which are exacerbated by the fact that some of the new 777s are already so old that certifications need to meet newer (stricter) standards, and some of them have spare parts that are past their certified life windows.
A terrible position to be in, even with the giant backlog they have for aircraft overall.
Airbus execs have said they are also considering a further stretch of their biggest jet, the A350-1000 at the request of a number of airlines.
Apparently there is demand for a 400 seat jet and Airbus and Boeing are going to stretch what they currently have to try to meet that market.
Since the 777X is already the largest jet in production - though not delivered - airlines are going for what is currently available.
With all Boeing and GE's issues they still lead the wide body (WB) contest. Boeing has a 60% larger WB backlog than Airbus. The 787 outpaces the 350 by 57%. GE claims to power 75% of airline flights and has 55% of the WB engine backlog.
Delivered/Orders
777X: Zero/630
787: 1,229/1,048
TTL: 1,229/1,678
350: 682/765
330neo: 173/291
TTL: 855/1,056
what is your point now posting this for the 2nd time? Do you think this has anything to do with why EK placed their order?
Of course, it did not.
And if you take out the 777X orders that are for a plane that Boeing has yet to get certified, the two are on pretty equal footing.
actual deliveries mean much more and the 787 had a multi-year headstart on the A350 and 330NEO....
what is your point now posting this for the 2nd time? Do you think this has anything to do with why EK placed their order?
Of course, it did not.
And if you take out the 777X orders that are for a plane that Boeing has yet to get certified, the two are on pretty equal footing.
actual deliveries mean much more and the 787 had a multi-year headstart on the A350 and 330NEO.
and, to repeat what was also said, Airbus leads in overall orders due to its much stronger narrowbody order book and Airbus is making money building commercial airplanes, something Boeing can only wish was the case for Boeing.
Interesting reactions to simple numbers and facts. Telling.
the interesting reaction is that these same facts were discussed on another article and yet you seemed to feel a need to repeat them.
Either you are here to argue or you can't stand to admit that Boeing does lead in widebodies but not overall airplane deliveries or backlog and Airbus makes money while Boeing continues to lose money doing so.
again, these are facts - all of them. anyone that understands them should have no problem having them ALL presented.
Refined and updated with 65 more orders for 77X from Emirates and the data applies to this story. Amazingly, you are quite confused with opinions v facts. Typical.
there isn't a thing that I said that is opinion. It is all fact.
You just don't like to hear the big picture so you selectively omit the things you don't want anyone to know about or for you to admit.
The only saving grace is you do the same thing regardless of whether we are talking airlines or airframe manufacturers.
shall we take up the owners of the big restaurant chains?
Like I said, confused.
yes, you are
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).
Oh, you intended that pun :))
Airlines aren't making 30yr purchase decisions based on the whims of one unstable moron at the helm of any country.
* wouldn't have happened. sorry I had to correct it. might have to go back to English, ah hm... American, lessons.
obviously /s
Ignoring politics and simply going by 4 year cycles, these are the net number of 777X orders
2013-2016: 296 (66, 220, 10, 0)
2017-2020: 3 (20, 0, -17, 0)
2021-2024: 172 (11, 33, 100, 28)
2025-now: 149
I would venture that the order spread has more to do with development timelines and industry dynamics than politics.
V/F
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.
"While it would be nice to see a brand new 777 customer aside from LH,"
What major airline is left, other than Qantas, who's already made the replacement order for its A380s.
And that was my point; aside from Qantas, no one's left!
Well there's always UPS who never had 777s in their colours and their 747Fs need replacing :D
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.
TD says, "Boeing simply continues to burn the furniture in the hope of getting its products certified and delivered to its customers.'
Demonstrably incorrect. For Q3 2025 Boeing reported an operating cash flow of $1.1 billion and a positive free cash flow of $238 million.
glad we have moved on to airframe manufacturers but you still someone think that cash flow supersedes profits.
Yes, Boeing is a financially weaker company than Airbus by a substantial margin.
Cash flow will increase as Boeing delivers airplanes but when you keep taking massive charges, the situation is at best one step forward and two steps back.
I want to see Boeing succeed and believe they are turning around 20 years of mismanagement...
glad we have moved on to airframe manufacturers but you still someone think that cash flow supersedes profits.
Yes, Boeing is a financially weaker company than Airbus by a substantial margin.
Cash flow will increase as Boeing delivers airplanes but when you keep taking massive charges, the situation is at best one step forward and two steps back.
I want to see Boeing succeed and believe they are turning around 20 years of mismanagement that started with the 787 battery fires but I don't sugarcoat reality.
Just pointing out that your assertion was wrong. Typical.
"the real news is the potential development of the 777-10"
There's no real news there.
It's just a feasibility study, something that Boeing was always eventually going to do (hence their not feeling the need to say a word about it) from the moment the 777X program launched. The answer can just as easily be "no justifiable business case."
Airbus did two of those for the A380 (stretch, and re-engine) in the middle and...
"the real news is the potential development of the 777-10"
There's no real news there.
It's just a feasibility study, something that Boeing was always eventually going to do (hence their not feeling the need to say a word about it) from the moment the 777X program launched. The answer can just as easily be "no justifiable business case."
Airbus did two of those for the A380 (stretch, and re-engine) in the middle and end of its production run, and nothing came of either.
just as Airbus has done and is doing with a POTENTIAL A350 stretch.
Any potential new model is good and big news... far bigger than several dozen new airplanes of a type a carrier already has on order.
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
@Mike
The A350-1000 has more range than the 777-9.
There’s no truth to that. Not yet anyway.
Boeing has not published the range specs.
When Boeing does publish the range, it’ll be a solid number rather than the max range of an empty airplane as Airbus does.
Delta has been miffed that the range isn’t really the range on their 350s.
The range of the 777X is currently 0 miles.
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.