British Airways Orders Boeing 777Xs

British Airways has been confirmed as a customer for purchasing six Boeing 777X jets.

The deal, which the International Airlines Group, home to the flag carrier confirmed, noted these aircraft would be deployed to the London Heathrow based company.

For IAG, the additional commitment to the 777X is part of a broader mammoth order for new commercial aircraft to elevate the fleet for the airlines that call this group home.

In that deal, IAG purchased 53 new Airbus and Boeing planes, with an agreement for 32 of the 787-10 aircraft for British Airways and 21 Airbus A330neos, designated to Aer Lingus, Iberia and LEVEL.

However, in that same release, the Group confirmed that the orders mentioned earlier follow a commitment placed in March 2025, but only being announced today, where the deal for six 777-9s was confirmed to be headed to British Airways.

British Airways’ First 777X Order

IAG‘s latest contract announcement follows British Airways’ first purchase of the 777x, which was announced in the first quarter of 2019.

That contract saw the airline purchase 18 of the 777-9 jets for its operation, and options were also possible for a further 24 aircraft should they wish to be activated later to meet capacity.

This initial deal was worth some USD 18.6 billion at list price. However, IAG negotiated down this price. It is common practice for airlines or airline groups to see colossal discounts when purchasing new planes, especially if their relationship is strong with the plane makers.

At the time, the U.K.-based carrier believed its first 777-9 would be delivered in 2022, three years after the initial purchase. The deliveries would then continue in 2023 and 2024, with the last aircraft arriving from the original deal in 2025.

Unfortunately for British Airways, the 777x program has not panned out as was ultimately expected. The jet not only hasn’t been delivered to British Airways, but it also remains uncertified, with delay after delay impacting its launch.

British Airways Says 777X To Replace 747

While delays to the 777x program are frustrating, those frustrations for British Airways are increased tenfold when considering the importance of this new long-haul jet.

The order for the aircraft was placed to replace the 747-400 fleet, which, while iconic prior to the 2020s, was planned to retire to coincide with the delivery of 777x jets.

Frankly, British Airways’ entire fleet renewal efforts involving Boeing planes have not panned out as expected and have been nothing short of a disaster.

Immediately after purchasing the 777X in 2019, the aircraft was delayed in its launch. Then, the emergence of the pandemic threw a spanner in the company’s ability to operate.

Zero international demand resulted in the 747 fleet being axed sooner than initially expected. At this time, the 777X launch was still meant to occur in the short term, so losing the 747 for a shortened period wasn’t seen as having too big an impact.

However, when demand surged back, the 777X was still not ready to launch. British Airways has thus battled for five years since the retirement of the 747 jet without the upcoming Boeing long-haul plane, and that’s expected to continue for at least another year, if not longer.