Emirates Airline Adds 90 Boeing 777 Jets

Emirates Airline, the world’s largest operator of Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ 777 series of airplanes, has placed an order for 90 more 777 jets, the companies announced today. The deal includes a mix of  777-9 and 777-8 planes, bringing Emirates’ total 777 backlog to 205 planes. 

The new order was announced during the Dubai Airshow at a signing event attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing. 

Emirates is also buying five more 787 jets, growing its 787 backlog to 35, while converting 30 787-9s to 20 787-8 and 10 787-10 airplanes. 

“Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and today’s order cements that position,” says Sheikh Saeed.  “We’ve been closely involved in the 777 program since its start up until this latest generation of 777X aircraft. The 777 has been central to Emirates’ fleet and network strategy of connecting cities on all continents non-stop to Dubai. We are pleased to extend our relationship with Boeing and look forward to the first 777-9 joining our fleet in 2025.” 

Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts widebody airplanes will comprise 45% of deliveries to Middle East airlines over the next 20 years. Many airlines in the region provide service between major global population centers and as a result, a higher proportion of widebody aircraft are needed to carry larger passenger volumes, the company says. 

“This order is an incredible vote of confidence in Boeing’s highly efficient widebody family and the versatility of our 777X and 787 airplanes to meet Emirates’ needs for global long-haul travel,” says Deal. “The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability along the way.”