Amid the Dubai Airshow 2023, Emirates and Boeing signed an agreement confirming the order of 95 additional wide-body aircraft to the airline, bringing Emirates’ backlog order up to 205 aircraft from the Boeing 777 family.
The airline announced the order of 55 Boeing 777-9s and 35 777-8s, as well as 5 new aircraft from the 787 family, converting the previous order of 30 Boeing 787-9s to 20 Boeing 787-8s and 15 Boeing 787-10s. The total for the 95 new planes comes up to $52 billion (€48.5 billion), according to Emirates.
Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and today’s order cements that position.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and CEO
From its previous order of 115 units, the first 777-9 is expected to join Emirates’ fleet in 2025. Today’s additional orders mean Emirates will induct new 777-9s to its fleet until 2035. The 777-9 will be the largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet in the world, with the lowest operating cost per seat of any commercial airplane, according to Boeing. The plane has a capacity of 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration, with a range of 13,510 km.
With this latest order, Emirates is also set to be one of the launch customers of the 777-8 passenger variant, with first deliveries expected in 2030. The 777-8 seats 395 passengers with a range capability of up to 16,190 km. The 777-8 also offers airlines more revenue potential through more payload and improved fuel efficiency on short and long flights, says Boeing.
“We’ve been closely involved in the 777 program since its start up until this latest generation of 777X aircraft”, said Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. “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.”
“This order is an incredible vote of confidence in the efficiency and versatility of the 777X family to meet Emirates’ needs for global long-haul travel”, said Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777-9 and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates’ growth plans, improving environmental performance and unmatched payload capability.”
Earlier this year, Ryanair also signed a significant agreement to Boeing, ordering 300 new 737 Max 10 jets to be delivered between 2027 and 2033. While the airline did not disclose the price, the order was estimated at €36 billion at the time, although Reuters pointed out at the time that discounts for bulk orders of this size can go up to 50%. “I have been told to say there was a competitive discount … although I didn’t think (it) was particularly competitive”, O’Leary told reporters at the announcement press conference, revealing that an additional 100 jets were added to the deal to bring the parties closer to a convenient offer.
