Qatar Airways has placed the largest aircraft order in its history, signing a deal with Boeing for up to 210 widebody jets — including 160 firm orders and options for 50 more.
The agreement also marks the largest 787 Dreamliner order and the biggest widebody order in Boeing’s history.
The airline also announced a major engine deal with GE Aerospace, committing to over 400 engines — including 60 GE9X and 260 GEnx units — to power its future Boeing 777-9 and 787 fleets. The agreement, which includes options and spare engines, is the largest widebody engine purchase in GE Aerospace’s history.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history.
“This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.”
The historic Boeing order comprises 130 787 Dreamliners and 30 777-9s. The Dreamliners offer a 25% improvement in fuel use along with enhanced passenger comfort. The 777-9 is the world’s largest twin-engine aircraft, designed to cut emissions and fuel use by 25% compared to the aircraft it replaces.
The agreement includes options for an additional 50 aircraft from the 787 and 777X families.
Al-Meer added: “After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order – we’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences. We thank our partners at Boeing for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together.”
Stephanie Pope, president and chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: “We are deeply honoured that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its centre.
“Our team is looking forward to building 787s and 777s for Qatar Airways into the next decade as they connect more people and businesses around the world with unmatched efficiency and comfort.”
Qatar Airways already operates more than 150 Boeing aircraft, including 777s and 787s, as well as 777 Freighters. With this latest order, the airline is set to become the largest Dreamliner operator in the Middle East.
The GE Aerospace deal expands on Qatar Airways’ previous order of 188 GE9X engines, bringing the total to 248. The airline’s existing GEnx engine order for the 787 fleet also grows, bringing its total to 384 engines. The agreement includes long-term MRO services.
Al-Meer said: “Our latest agreement with GE Aerospace reflects our confidence in the performance of the GE9X and GEnx engines to power our fleet of Boeing 777-9 and 787 aircraft. These next-generation engines are critical components in our strategy to ensure our fleet remains modern and efficient. Qatar Airways has ambitious plans for the future, and we value our continued partnership with GE Aerospace and their commitment to supporting our operational needs.”
GE Aerospace chairman and chief executive, H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., said: “We are extremely honoured to deepen our relationship with Qatar Airways and grateful to them for placing their trust in us with our largest ever widebody engine deal. Our widebody engines – the GE9X and GEnx – are marvels of modern engineering, with the durability and reliability to power flight across the longest distances. We appreciate President Trump’s support for this historic agreement.”
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