Emirates Buys 55 777-9s & 35 777-8s From Boeing

Emirates has announced a massive deal with Boeing for new aircraft to power the next era of its operations.

Breaking Down The Order

Emirates has committed to 90 Boeing 777Xs, reaffirming its position as the type’s largest customer to date.

A deal comprises 55 777-9s and 35 777-8s. The overall contract solidifies Emirates’ relationship with Boeing as a critical provider of the company’s future fleet.

As part of this deal, the Boeing 777-9s are expected to enter service from 2025 onwards. This is currently the year Boeing targets an EIS following lengthy certification delays.

Meanwhile, 777-8 deliveries are expected to begin from 2030 onwards, with this variant yet to be produced as Boeing focuses on the 777-9.

Beyond the 777X, Boeing has also committed to 35 787 Dreamliners. As part of the deal, the airline will acquire 15 787-10s and 20 787-8s.

The deal also brings the Boeing 787-10 back into the airline’s orderbook. This variant was subject to Emirates’ rigorous fleet review in recent years, which axed and adjusted future fleet types.

Emirates says it’s converting 30 787-9s to 20 787-8s and 10 787-10s as part of the company’s ongoing order adjustments.

A Much Needed Relief For The Boeing 777X

For Boeing, the 90 777X orders are crucial to boosting a program that has largely struggled to attract firm customer interest.

While the plane maker has found success with the 777-8F, the passenger variants have lagged as companies have remained hesitant.

Despite Emirates’ solid commitment, Boeing will want to diversify its 777X customer base in the long term. For now, though, they’ll celebrate the deal, worth tens of billions at list price.

Comments From Executives

Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and today’s order cements that position. 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.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group

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. The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability along the way.

Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The Emirates Fleet

Emirates’ fleet currently consists of only two aircraft families, the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380.

Per Cirium, 243 aircraft remain in service, with 26 units currently in storage. However, this will change drastically in the coming decades.

Emirates will shift from operating the 777 and A380 to the 777X, 787, and A350 as part of its future fleet.

The Dubai-based carrier cites these aircraft as a critical reason for placing orders, as they will serve new and existing markets.

While the airline has committed to the A380 until the early stages of 2040, the company will also need aircraft to replace these units.

Emirates’ Rocky 777X Relationship

Emirates’ relationship with Boeing has been anything but smooth in recent years, as pressure around the program has affected the company.

President Sir Tim Clark has often voiced concerns over the continued delays in the 777X program and the implications for the airline and its long-term planning.