Emirates’ Troubled Orders For The Boeing 777X

How long is too long to wait for the ideal aircraft? For Emirates, it’s a timeline that’s been ongoing for more than a decade.

It seems like ages ago that Emirates decided the Boeing 777X was the right aircraft for its post-A380 operations. The Dubai-based carrier put its money where its mouth was with firm orders to become the largest customer for the 777X programme.

With Emirates’ patience being tested year after year, only time will tell how long it takes before the airline shifts away from the 777X.

Emirates’ Boeing 777X Orders Through The Years

It’s no coincidence that the 777X programme launched at the Dubai Airshow. Emirates has been in talks with the planemaker since 2010 about producing next-generation models for the 777 family. Over its 40+ year history, it has operated every model in the 777 family and has the world’s largest 777 fleet, comprising the 777-300ER, 777-200LR, and freighters.

Boeing announced the 777X programme at the 2013 Dubai Airshow. Emirates became a launch partner, with an initial order of 150 777X aircraft and rights to 50 more, in a deal valued at US$56 billion. The order included two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, which the carrier expected delivery by 2020.

Emirates is the world’s largest buyer of widebody jetliners. The Airbus A380 was the original flagship, but the Boeing 777X would become a next-generation aircraft to replace its fleet. Although it lacked the capacity of a superjumbo, the twin-engine design was more fuel-efficient, and the -8 model could fly much farther.

Airbus ended the A380 programme in 2019, just as Emirates expected to begin renewing its fleet with Boeing aircraft. However, that’s when the entire timeline began to fall apart.

The 777X Problems Grow and Hurt Emirates

The warning signs for Boeing came in October 2018 with the first 737 MAX crash in Indonesia. This warning turned into a full-scale crisis when the second crash occurred in Ethiopia in March 2019. Boeing was unexpectedly thrown into crisis mode as it tried to mitigate the situation.

This crisis consumed most of the manufacturer’s financial and time resources, pulling attention away from other projects, including the 777X, which was nearing its first delivery.

Boeing abandoned the 777X’s 2020 delivery date. The new delivery date became an industry myth, as it seemed to be pushed back each year.

The initial delays for the 777X stemmed from Boeing’s pause during the 737 MAX crisis. Once it resumed the programme, regulators placed it under heavy scrutiny to prevent another crisis, which pushed delivery back even further. First came issues with the engine and cargo door designs. Later, FAA certifications prioritised recertifying the 737 MAX before revisiting the 777X.

The 777X earned the unwarranted title of the most-tested aircraft in history. Emirates got its hopes up every year a new delivery date was announced, only to be disappointed with further delays.

Emirates Executives Threaten Boeing, But Keep Ordering

Emirates has certainly been patient with Boeing amid the 777X delays, but it hasn’t been passive. Emirates President Sir Tim Clark has been vocal in several interviews over the years, saying they’re disappointed and that it’s “holding Boeing’s feet to the fire” to get the project done. The biggest threat was in 2022 when Emirates planned to cancel its 777X order if delays extended beyond 2023.

Lucky for Boeing, Emirates’ threats were only verbal. Clark has reluctantly said the airline has no other aircraft to consider, since the 777X best fits its widebody-dominant operations. Emirates has recommitted to Boeing several times, placing new orders in 2023 for 90 more 777Xs and again in 2025 for 65 more, bringing the total order to 270 777Xs.

Emirates has leveraged its ongoing commitments by pushing for a larger 777-10 variant to replace the A380 and even including options to update its orders for the -10 if it’s produced.

What About The A350-1000? Why Does Emirates Not Like This?

Although Airbus didn’t produce another superjumbo to replace the A380, its A350 family is the largest widebody product it currently offers, with next-gen technology that has been presented to Emirates on numerous occasions.

Emirates has been receptive to the A350-900, ordering 50 aircraft and receiving the first delivery in 2024. It was the first new aircraft model in Emirates’ fleet after operating strictly with the Boeing 777 family and the Airbus A380.

The A350-1000 is the largest variant and a more likely fit for Emirates. However, the aircraft has issues that have led the airline to reject it. The Dubai-based carrier’s biggest issue with the A350-1000 is the Rolls-Royce engines. The engines reportedly lack the durability to withstand the wear and tear of Dubai’s hot, humid desert climate. Another issue came up after inspections with other airlines, which said the fuselage degrades faster than ideal.

Emirates remains open to considering the A350-1000, especially with the 777X delays. However, it must resolve the engine issue before ordering them.

What About the A350-1000? Why Does Emirates Not Like This?

The 777X saga continues with every new delivery date taken lightly. Good news for Emirates: the 777X is finally moving forward with certification, with delivery expected in 2027. But with the airline’s sizable order, it will be receiving planes until 2040 at this rate.

The A350-1000 is still on the table. Concerns over the engine could mean Emirates is stalling while it waits for 777X delivery. But if it gets desperate enough, it may have to consider ordering them to bridge the gap while upgrading an aging fleet.

Emirates’ operational strategy is best suited to larger aircraft, leaving the airline unsure how to move forward. It did everything right by showing loyalty to a programme with firm orders, but Boeing’s challenges are disrupting the relationship with one of its best customers. Emirates is playing the victim, pushing for a larger 777-10 variant that would better fit as an A380 replacement.

With the next delivery date rapidly approaching, Boeing has few delays left before Emirates reroutes its fleet plans.