Emirates places order for 65 new Boeing 777X aircraft, 130 GE 9X engines worth $38 billion

Dubai: Emirates has signalled remarkable confidence in Boeing, placing a blockbuster order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft—worth $38 billion at list prices—on the opening day of Dubai Airshow 2025, even as the airline’s waiting game for previous deliveries continues.

The airline also placed an order with US engine manufacturer GE Aerospace for 130 GE9X engines to power the planes.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, told media that the airline will become the world’s largest operator of the 777 following this deal.

With the latest deal, Emirates further cements its status as the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator, including freighter variants, and the biggest customer for GE9X engines, powering its future 777X fleet.

The airline’s total Boeing widebody orderbook now stretches to 315 jets, including 270 777Xs and 10 freighters, alongside 35 787 Dreamliners. The engine order rises to an impressive 540 GE9X units.

“Emirates is already the world’s largest Boeing 777 operator and we are expanding our commitment with today’s US$38 billion order. Each aircraft is carefully factored into our strategy and aligned with Dubai’s growth plans. Flying a young and modern fleet remains central to Emirates’ values.”

Sheikh Ahmed also called it a massive long-term commitment to US aerospace manufacturing, generating support for hundreds of thousands of high value manufacturing jobs in the US over the life of the programmes.

Emirates’ latest agreement with Boeing also provides strong backing for Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10, a larger variant of its 777X family, with the airline signing up for options to convert its latest 777-9 order into the 777-10 or the 777-8.

Commenting on the 777-10 study, Sheikh Ahmed, explained, "Emirates has been open about the fact that we are keen for manufacturers to build larger capacity aircraft, which are more efficient to operate especially with projected air traffic growth and increasing constraints at airports."

He added, "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.”

What about delivery delays?

Delivery delays on the 777X programme have made headlines, but Emirates’ new order is an emphatic show of long-term trust. The airline expects its first 777-9s from Q2 of 2027, with further deliveries stretching to 2038.

Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, welcomed Emirates’ decision as “deeply honoured”, calling the partnership “a backbone of innovation and excellence.”

Sheikh Ahmed said, "Each of our aircraft on order has been carefully factored into Emirates’ expansion plan, which is aligned to Dubai’s growth plans." Emirates expects to receive delivery of its first Boeing 777-9s from Q2 of 2027.