On November 17, 2025, as the Dubai Air Show kicked off at Dubai World Central, Emirates Airline, the world’s largest international carrier, revealed a significant new order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft, valued at $38 billion based on list prices. This announcement highlights Emirates’ continued confidence in Boeing’s widebody technology, even as the 777X program navigates ongoing delays that have frustrated airlines worldwide. The deal not only expands Emirates’ fleet plans but also reinforces its role as a key player in global aviation growth, particularly in the Middle East where passenger traffic continues to surge.
The order brings Emirates’ total 777X commitments to 270 aircraft, solidifying its position as the largest customer for Boeing’s newest twin-engine widebody family. Including this latest purchase, Emirates now has a Boeing widebody backlog of 315 planes, which encompasses the 270 777X models, 10 Boeing 777 freighters, and 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. These aircraft are essential for Emirates’ strategy to modernize its fleet, replace older models, and support Dubai’s ambitions as a global aviation hub, with deliveries expected to stretch through 2038 and contribute to economic expansion in the region.
Powered by GE9X engines—the largest and most advanced ever developed for a commercial airliner—this order also includes 130 new engines, pushing Emirates’ total GE9X commitments to 540 units. The GE9X offers exceptional efficiency, with composite fan blades and advanced materials that reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Emirates’ Chairman and CEO, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, emphasized during the announcement that this partnership extends far beyond the aircraft, supporting hundreds of thousands of high-value manufacturing jobs across the United States in states like Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, and Washington, where Boeing and GE facilities are located.
Boeing Commits to Feasibility Study for Larger 777-10 Variant
One of the most intriguing aspects of this deal is Boeing’s agreement to conduct a detailed feasibility study for the 777-10, a proposed stretched version of the 777X family that Emirates has championed for years. The 777-10 would extend the fuselage beyond the 777-9’s already impressive 251-foot length, potentially accommodating up to 425 passengers in a two-class configuration, helping to fill the capacity void left by the retirement of Emirates’ iconic Airbus A380 superjumbos. This variant could offer airlines like Emirates greater flexibility for high-density routes, such as those connecting Dubai to major Asian and European cities, while maintaining the efficiency of twin-engine operations.
Emirates has secured flexible options to convert any portion of the new 777-9 order into the 777-10 or the shorter-range 777-8 model, providing a safety net as Boeing evaluates the market viability. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum voiced strong support for the study, stating, “We fully support Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10 and have options to convert our latest 777-9 order to the 777-10 or the 777-8.” He highlighted the need for larger, more efficient aircraft amid rising air traffic and airport slot limitations, noting that such designs would optimize operations in a post-pandemic era of booming travel demand.
Boeing’s senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing, Ihssane Mounir, described the backing as a pivotal endorsement, saying it aligns with customer needs for scalable solutions. The 777X platform already features groundbreaking innovations, including folding wingtips that allow it to fit existing airport gates and a cabin that’s 10% wider than predecessors, with higher humidity and larger windows for enhanced passenger comfort. If pursued, the 777-10 could enter development phases soon, potentially entering service in the early 2030s, depending on regulatory approvals and market conditions.
Persistent Delays and Challenges Facing the 777X Program
The 777X program, launched over a decade ago with Emirates as a launch customer, was initially targeted for service entry in 2020, promising revolutionary efficiency for long-haul flights. However, it has encountered a series of setbacks, including engine durability issues, structural problems with the composite wings, and rigorous certification demands from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In October 2025, Boeing disclosed that the bulk of 2026 would focus on final certification testing, shifting first deliveries to the second quarter of 2027—marking a seven-year delay that has cost the company billions and strained relationships with airlines.
These hurdles stem from complex technical challenges, such as cracks discovered in engine mounts during ground testing in 2021, which grounded the five test aircraft for over a year until flights resumed in early 2025. Additional incidents, including an uncommanded pitch-up event during testing and software glitches, have prolonged the process. Boeing’s financial reports for the third quarter of 2025 included a $4.9 billion charge related to the program, with estimates suggesting total costs could climb to $2.5 billion to $4 billion more due to rework and delays. As a result, Boeing trimmed its 777X backlog by 33 unconfirmed orders in late October 2025, leaving 473 firm commitments, though Emirates’ steadfast support helps maintain momentum.
Emirates President Tim Clark expressed frustration earlier this year over learning about the latest delay through media rather than direct communication from Boeing, calling it “miffed” in an Aviation Week interview. Despite this, the airline remains committed, viewing the 777-9 as a game-changer with 20% better fuel efficiency than the 777-300ER it will replace, lower operating costs, and reduced carbon emissions—critical for meeting global sustainability targets. The aircraft’s design incorporates advanced aerodynamics, like raked wingtips and a nitrogen-based air system for fresher cabin air, positioning it as a bridge to future aviation technologies.
Boeing’s Strategy and Transparency Focus at the Dubai Air Show
At this year’s Dubai Air Show, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope shifted emphasis from aggressive sales pitches to rebuilding trust through open dialogue. She stated, “It is unacceptable to me for any of our customers to be surprised, and our focus is to be as transparent as possible,” addressing past communication lapses that have eroded confidence amid Boeing’s wider challenges, including the 737 MAX crises and recent labor disputes. Pope outlined plans for the 777-9’s next certification milestones, with flight testing set to ramp up soon, aiming to deliver on promises to loyal partners like Emirates.
This order arrives at a time when Boeing is leveraging geopolitical ties, such as U.S. President Donald Trump‘s May 2025 visit to the Gulf, which reportedly accelerated several deals. Analysts note that Emirates’ commitment provides a much-needed win for Boeing, whose shares rose modestly following the announcement, signaling investor optimism about the widebody market. The event also showcased Boeing’s broader portfolio, including the 787 Dreamliner and 777 freighters, underscoring the intertwined ecosystem that supports Emirates’ operations across its network of over 140 destinations.
Airbus Makes Inroads with Potential Flydubai Order
Amid Boeing’s headlines, Airbus is positioning itself strongly at the show with reports of an impending deal for around 100 A321neo narrowbody aircraft from flydubai, the low-cost arm of the Emirates Group. This would represent a historic diversification for flydubai, which has relied solely on Boeing since its 2009 inception, operating 175 737 MAX jets and holding orders for 30 more 787s. The potential split order also includes a smaller batch of several dozen 737 MAX from Boeing, reflecting flydubai’s strategy to balance suppliers while expanding its regional and short-haul network.
Sources indicate Airbus is set to secure the majority of this landmark purchase—flydubai’s largest ever, surpassing its 2017 MAX order—driven by the A321neo’s fuel efficiency and versatility for high-frequency routes. Valued in the billions, the deal aligns with the Middle East‘s projected fleet growth to 3,700 aircraft by 2044, fueled by tourism recovery and infrastructure investments. Both manufacturers have stayed tight-lipped, but this development intensifies competition, as flydubai aims to double its fleet to meet surging demand from budget travelers in emerging markets.
