It’s a big week for Middle Eastern carriers announcing orders for Boeing aircraft, lining up with Trump’s visit to the Middle East. A couple of days ago, Doha-based Qatar Airways placed an order for up to 210 Boeing jets, and now Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has placed an order for up to 28 Boeing jets (in addition to announcing flights to Charlotte).
In this post:
Etihad expands long haul fleet with new Boeing order
Etihad Airways has confirmed an order for 28 Boeing 787s and 777Xs. The exact breakdown between the two types of aircraft is unknown, as is which variants have been selected. However, that should be announced soon. These planes are expected to be delivered starting in 2028.
Here’s how Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves describes this:
“This commitment reflects our approach of carefully managing our fleet and expanding in line with demand and our long-term network plans. Since 2023, we’ve made consistent additions to our fleet, and this latest step ensures we continue to meet our future requirements. This addition reflects Abu Dhabi’s ongoing investment in aviation as a key enabler of connectivity, tourism, and trade. Etihad’s continued growth supports broader economic opportunity in the UAE and beyond.”
How this Boeing order fits into Etihad’s fleet plans
Currently, Etihad’s fleet consists of around 95 passenger aircraft, with the wide body fleet including six Airbus A350-1000s, seven Airbus A380s, nine Boeing 777-300ERs, 33 Boeing 787-9s, and 10 Boeing 787-10s.
As we all know, Etihad has quite the growth plans, as part of its Journey 2030 strategy. The airline has another 14 A350s on order, as well as nearly 30 787s. Perhaps the most exciting addition to Etihad’s fleet is the upcoming Airbus A321LR, which is an overdue concept for the airline (a narrow body with a premium product).
What’s kind of funny about this aircraft order is that it largely just represents a previous order being reinstated. Back in 2013, Etihad placed an order for 25 Boeing 777Xs, including eight 777-8s and 17 777-9s. Going back several months, Etihad’s CEO indicated that this order had been restructured, and that for the time being, the 777X didn’t play a part in the carrier’s five year plan.
So it’s interesting to see that order now sort of reinstated. I don’t find that to be very surprising, since one would think the 777X has an important role in Etihad’s fleet. Long term, you’d think that this will be the plane the airline will use to replace the A380, in its most premium markets. Presumably the 777Xs will also have first class, since the airline is once again putting increased effort into that cabin.
Bottom line
Etihad Airways has placed an order for 28 Boeing wide body jets, including the 777X and 787. Given Etihad’s growth plans, this isn’t a surprising order. It actually represents the reinstatement of a previous 777X order. Now if only Boeing could actually get the 777X certified!
What do you make of Etihad’s Boeing aircraft order?
787's have a big backlog and production its only at 5 planes per month.
While it's good to see new orders in general, it'd be nice to see orders from someone new for a change.
EY don’t have 359s. Should it reference 351s?
@ Ramos -- Indeed, thank you!
I'll believe 777x deliveries when I see them.
Careful Mike, you will be accused of being an Airbus fanboy or something worse …. :-)
I just dislike vapourware. It's boring having companies promise things, delay when they cannot execute and then cancel them/make them worse.