Boeing Confirms 300 Aircraft Orders

Boeing has restored confidence in the Middle East with hundreds of new aircraft orders in a week.

The significant orders add to the existing backlog of multiple aircraft programs and cement Boeing’s continued recovery efforts after a trying last couple of years.

But what orders have Boeing secured, and how does this affect their future?

Qatar Airways Confirms Order

The biggest new commercial order came from Qatar Airways, which is based in Doha. Qatar Airways finally decided to commit to Boeing and purchase up to 210 new aircraft, all widebodies.

The mammoth contract represented Qatar Airways’ largest-ever order and set a record for Boeing as its largest widebody aircraft order.

The deal included purchasing 130 of the popular and versatile Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The Dreamliners are part of a bid to become more efficient, renew the fleet, and grow for the future.

The aircraft is 25% more fuel efficient than the aircraft it replaces across the industry. Furthermore, thanks to its flexibility, the plane remains a leader.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways also confirmed it would increase its purchase of the Boeing 777X, selecting additional units for the 777-9 more specifically.

This part of the deal included a firm contract for 30 more aircraft to elevate renewal efforts. With superjumbos no longer being produced, deals such as these are critical for airlines such as Qatar Airways, which require capacity and know the 777X is about as good as it’ll get.

However, the order does not stop there. If the Doha-based carrier wishes to increase its fleet, 50 more 787 and 777X jets are included in the contract.

Qatar Airways wants to continue investing in the growth and renewal of its fleet, knowing it needs to stay agile to compete. This huge order will help ensure planes continue to arrive in the 2030s to meet demand.

Etihad Airways Chooses Boeing

Boeing also announced additional widebody aircraft orders during the second half of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trip to the Middle East.

Etihad Airways purchased more aircraft to support its continued Journey 2030 initiative, which focuses on expanding its route network and fleet.

The carrier confirmed that 28 Boeing 787 and Boeing 777X jets were ordered to elevate the Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s long-haul fleet capabilities and backlog.

The carrier’s interest in purchasing new planes has been long documented. First, reporting in late 2024 suggested that the 777X or A350 were candidates for the airline’s business. Boeing ended up winning the valuable contract.

Similarly to Qatar Airways, the knowledge that ultra-high-capacity aircraft are no longer in production forces companies to look elsewhere to power their future fleets.

Etihad Airways believes the 777X and 787 will help power that, alongside commitments to aircraft such as the Airbus A350, which is already operational and flying internationally across the network.

The 737 MAX Included

Lastly, the efficient but often scrutinised 737 MAX was ordered as part of a new commitment from AviLease, a global aircraft lessor based in Saudi Arabia.

The deal included up to 30 737 MAX jets, with the 737-8 selected as the middle ground to support the leading aircraft lessor’s customer requirements. The 737-8 is often the perfect option to suit various needs.

While up to 30 aircraft were ordered, the split included 20 firm units and options for 10 more should the lessor’s customers require them later.

The order is necessary for Boeing, while output for the MAX remains restricted, deals such as these and others across recent months are enormous for the planemaker in continuing to rebuild trust and confidence with its customers.

AviLease already owns 200 aircraft and manages relationships with around 48 airlines. These relationships are likely to grow further as more planes join the backlog.