Qatar Airways has just announced the details of a massive aircraft order with Boeing…
In this post:
Qatar Airways’ huge Boeing wide body aircraft order
Qatar Airways has placed its largest aircraft order in history, exclusively for Boeing aircraft. Specifically, the Doha-based airline placed a firm order for 160 jets, with options for an additional 50 jets. This includes a firm order for 130 787s (including 787-9s and 787-10s), plus a firm order for 30 777-9s. Then the option for 50 additional jets is for either of the aircraft types. The delivery timeline for these aircraft hasn’t yet been revealed.
This order was revealed today at a signing ceremony between Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg. Witnessing the signing was US President Donald Trump and Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as this happened during Trump’s Middle East visit.
Here’s how Qatar Airways’ CEO describes this aircraft order:
“We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history. This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone”
“After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order – we’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences. We thank our partners at Boeing for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together.”
As you can see, this is the largest aircraft order in Qatar Airways’ history, and the largest wide body aircraft order in Boeing’s history. However, unlike what Trump claimed, it’s not Boeing’s largest order ever, and it’s also not worth $200 billion (I simply mention this because a lot of media reports have been making those claims).
Of course we’re seeing this order politicized, with some people suggesting that Trump deserves credit for the order. Personally, I think that’s a bit of a stretch, and that this order would’ve happened regardless of who was president. After all, this has been in the works for quite some time.
Just as we shouldn’t give Biden credit for Air India’s historic aircraft order (or for 2023 seeing the most Boeing orders in nearly a decade), we also don’t give Trump credit for a routine fleet renewal project. I’ll spare you the jokes about Qatar gifting Trump a $400 million jet. Regardless, congrats to Al Meer and Ortberg!
How the 777X & 787 fits into Qatar Airways’ fleet
As mentioned above, the firm order is for 130 787s and 30 777Xs. While the 787 has been in service for a long time, the 777X hasn’t yet been certified, and current estimates are that the plane will start commercial service in 2026. However, that timeline has been pushed back for six years, so it’s anyone’s guess how that evolves.
For context, Qatar Airways’ passenger fleet currently consists of around 220 aircraft, with aircraft variants being all over the place. Qatar Airways’ fleet planning has been in disarray in recent years, due to a combination of Boeing struggling with getting new aircraft certified, plus the dispute with Airbus from several years back (which has since been resolved).
In addition to the aircraft already in its fleet, Qatar Airways also has 163 passenger jets on order (before today’s order), though many of these are narrow body aircraft. These orders are comprised of:
- 40 Airbus A321neos and 10 Airbus A321LRs
- 18 Airbus A350-1000s
- 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10s
- 60 Boeing 777-9s
- 10 Boeing 787-9s
Just to look at the current state of Qatar Airways’ fleet renewal:
- Qatar Airways’ narrow body fleet currently consists of 28 Airbus A320s, and those will be replaced by A321neos and maybe 737 MAX 10s; that fleet will grow considerably, but it will take time, and rumor has it that the MAX order may be canceled as part of the larger Boeing order
- Qatar Airways has 58 Airbus A350 family aircraft, and this seems to be the carrier’s favorite aircraft, which will be flying for years to come
- Qatar Airways has 51 Boeing 787s, though they’re a mixed bag, with the majority being 787-8s that are already an average of 10 years old
- Qatar Airways has 64 Boeing 777s, and those will eventually be retired, and replaced by newer generation aircraft, including the 777X
- Qatar Airways has eight Airbus A380s, which the airline initially intended to retire, but they were brought back due to A350 issues, plus delays with 777X certification
So I can totally see how Qatar Airways needs a lot of new jets. While narrow body fleet renewal is taken care of, Qatar Airways needs more jets to replace existing 777s, A380s, and eventually the older 787-8s.
At some point in the future, the 777X will be Qatar Airways’ flagship aircraft, and I’d expect for it to have the carrier’s new first class as well. I imagine Qatar Airways can get a good deal on these planes, and for that matter, get flexible terms, given the headwinds with certification.
What I’m most curious about is what the breakdown is between 787-9s and 787-10s. The 787-10 variant seems very well suited for the airline, given its higher capacity and sufficient range.
Bottom line
Qatar Airways has just placed a large wide body aircraft order with Boeing, with 160 firm orders plus 50 options. Of the 160 firm orders, 130 are for the 787, and 30 are for the 777X. Then the 50 options are for either jet. It’s expected that the Dreamliner order will include both the 787-9 and 787-10 variant, though the breakdown isn’t yet known.
Congrats to Qatar Airways and Boeing!
What do you make of Qatar Airways’ Boeing aircraft order?
Yeah, historically such a major purchases are often announced during state visits. Even apart from the fact that most of those aircraft are years if not a decade away from delivery, and the orders may be restructured in the meantime, this is hardly due to the orange cloud embarrassing the US everywhere he goes.
The airline needed to put in a major order and there's only two options in the world. And only one option when you consider actual "jumbos".
Trump for the WIN! (again)...
Emirates introducing white glove service.
Qatar introducing orange fellatio service.
Came for the comments for a laugh. Did not disappoint. No notes.
Air India order is mainly narrowbodies and book value would be smaller than QR. Furthermore if president were Harris QR was unlikely purchase more B777x
The difference being Air India is likely to see those narrowbodies before the end of Trump's term, Qatar is unlikely to see those 777Xs before 2029 and has much more flexibility to modify their order depending on how long Boeing delays. And 190 737 Max aircraft is hardly nothing lol. Attributing the 777X orders to Trump is just plain sycophancy.
Bye bye to QR's leadership as being a premium airline. The 787 is a cramped little aircraft, and the QSuites on that airframe are totally cramped.
Sad day. 100 more of those is a lot.
The comment about "the B787's are long in the tooth and need to be replaced" while "keeping the A350's" sounds fishy to me. Qatar was the launch customer of the A350 and received their first one in 2014..that makes it as old as their B787's, if not older.
But will the new qsuites fit on the 787 and will they order any more A350s
The aircraft deal is actually $96 Billion - Trump mixed it up with the overall deal value - https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-historic-1-2-trillion-economic-commitment-in-qatar/
Obviously, each plane is worth $1 billion at list price.
We should give each of these billion dollar airplanes as a "gift" to Qatar. No telling what we would be able to do to their country then!
More biased writing. I guess we can assume they need zero parts/maintenance for these aircraft in coming years? Maintenance cost more than the aircraft. Shame on this lying “writer”.
TL, if you don’t like the “Biased writing” or comments, why do you come to this site …. just to troll?
Kudos to you for taking a balanced perspective on presidential influence and not giving one POTUS more or less credit than the other without hard evidence. As they say about the economy in general, presidents get too much and too much blame. Your balance is appreciated!
More biased writing. I guess we can assume they need zero parts/maintenance for these aircraft in coming years? Maintenance cost more than the aircraft. Shame on this lying “writer”.
Did you buy something of value before?
Said when you buy a car, did you pay for the car price or you add next 10 years of maintenance and pay all at once?
You really think economic confidence would be the same under Kamala?
Now I understand TL, biased political views, your post makes sense now.
Who was talking about Harris? No one but you.
Eh. As much as I'm a Trump sceptic, I wouldn't be so convinced this order _isn't_ related to Trump. The state and the airline are the same thing in the Middle East. Chucking in an extra 50 aircraft to make the deal bigger and bolder and more USA USA USA isn't an insane diplomatic move given the times.
You and your “Folks” — such a lame Biden thing of you. Anyway, I thought Qatar ordered weapons and military aircrafts in the light of the new strategic alliance with the US? Maybe that’s where the $200bn come from. No?
If it wasn't for Trump this order would have been split in half with Airbus. Like him or not, he did have some influence in this order.
Qatar might just announce another 100 airbus orders tomorrow. Point is, business is business and it should stay that way.
How does this order even get filled?
95% of the orders will convert to the 797-69ZZZ UltraMax Spaceliner in 2068. This frame will work well for Qatar, but will be a problem in the US due to Unionized FA Robots refusing to serve PDBs or open/close the pod doors in Ruler class. UBI class will be very cramped.
Now that is the $64,000 question Alonzo.
As Boeing cannot fulfil their current orders, how on earth can they ever pretend that they can fulfil this order this century?
One can see Boeing outsourcing this order to the Chinese Army in flip-flops as their only viable option.
Thank you President Trump!
I think your lost in semantics, this is a great order and it does bring jobs and money to the American people. Trump is doing a great job!
Trump has nothing to do with though, that's the point. This order would have happened under Harris if she'd been elected. Trump's entire brand (and to an extent today's GOP) is taking credit for crap he had no part in. United, American, and Air India placed massive Boeing orders under Biden, did you thank Biden for those?
Did you comment here in a similarly unjustifiably irritable tone when the UA, AA and AI orders occurred?
Well said.
You're nuts. He was there and witnessed the event. He had everything to do with it no matter how much you may not like him.
Harris couldn't find Qatar on a map.
True! America dodged a major bullet
@Cairns
Lmao, Harris is far smarter than Trump. I bet Trump couldn't find ANY of the Emirates on a map even though he's signing personal business deals and building properties there (in blatant violation of the Emoluments clause I might add). He's taking credit for something that was going happen regardless. The dude's a con, and you're the mark.
And no, Trump had nothing to do with this. Qatar wants to fresh its fleet....
@Cairns
Lmao, Harris is far smarter than Trump. I bet Trump couldn't find ANY of the Emirates on a map even though he's signing personal business deals and building properties there (in blatant violation of the Emoluments clause I might add). He's taking credit for something that was going happen regardless. The dude's a con, and you're the mark.
And no, Trump had nothing to do with this. Qatar wants to fresh its fleet. Qatar has two options, Airbus and Boeing. Emirati airlines especially are obsessed with having the latest and greatest, so why wouldn't Qatar order a bunch of 777Xs for a longer-term acquisition timeline with some A350s to plug the gap? Did you forget that Emirates has over 200 777X aircraft on order, and 90 of those (50% more than Qatar's new order) was made in 2023? Did you thank Biden for that order? Because he had as much to do with that as Trump did with this.
The deal could include a Boeing Services contract to make it the largest? It’s probably just hyperbole but maybe that’s one way it’s possibly true.
Top salesman inflates sales numbers, has nothing to do with the sale, gets $400M commission. Sounds pretty run of the mill actually...
But of course, contrary to EVERY news headline, the plane is a gift to the US Government, NOT Trump. And to answer/rebut your next question, yes it will still be owned by the US Government when/if transferred to the Trump Presidential Library, and will not be owned by owned by Trump at any point present or future.
Of course. Nobody gets bribed when the recipient of the goods is a company that they control and then they have unlimited use of those goods.
Are you in elementary school? This comment explains a lot as to the education level (and utter gullibility) of too many US voters.
This is great… it brings $$$$ home and help create jobs here while many companies are laying off bc of AI!!
It’s also good news - we might get, eventually, a direct route to Doha & beyond!
Don’t foeget all the people being laid of because of…Trump.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/14/trump-federal-layoffs-ripple-effect-us-economy
Federal workers make roughly twice as much as the workers in the private sector. They are 50% less productive and the taxpayers have to pay their salaries. This is a huge win.
whether you like him or not and regardless of whether this deal is the largest, Trump is bringing home sales for American businesses and is Boeing's biggest and best salesman right now.
Now they have to build them w/o defects
@Tim Dunn Now if only Trump can ever get DL to start ordering Boeing planes and then Delta may have a better shot at pretending to be so supportive of the American workers lol
Delta does have 100 MAX 10s on order and also won the engine overhaul contract w/ GE for the LEAP engines that power all MAX aircraft.
and DL still operates the largest passenger 757 and 767 fleets in the world - which do still need parts.
DL's fleet is just about 50/50 Airbus/Boeing just like AA.
ah yes it was trump who caused the rift between QR and airbus and drove them to expand their business with boeing. thank you mr trump!!!!!!
Harold, a serious question if you please?
Do you realistically believe that Boeing can fulfill this order?
@AeroB13a
Qatar's buying those Boeings because they thought that this makes sense.
Whatever the non-aviation professionals on the internet - not only you, but literally everyone including even myself - yaps about, it would always make less sense than the corporate decisions.
Expecting you to come back with nonsenses advertised as a "complexed writing".
Take your pills on time. Your family must be suffering.
China turned back Boeing deliveries. Quite the salesperson.