Emirates boosts A350 order with new $3.4 billion deal at Dubai Airshow

Dubai: Emirates has placed an order for eight additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft valued at $3.4 billion at list prices, strengthening the airline’s long-term fleet strategy as global travel demand continues to expand. The agreement, announced at the Dubai Airshow 2025, increases the airline’s total A350-900 commitment to 73 aircraft, with 13 already in service.

The top-up order comes as Emirates continues introducing the A350 to new routes after its entry into service last November. The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB84 engines and is expected to play a major role in the airline’s capacity and product expansion over the coming decade. The new units will be delivered in 2031.

“The Emirates A350’s entry into service last November has given us welcome additional capacity,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group. “It has also enabled us to introduce Emirates’ latest inflight products to more customers, including our popular Premium Economy seats. We look forward working closely with Airbus on the delivery of our remaining aircraft including the new units that we have ordered today.”

He added that the airline’s recent order momentum reflects a long-term investment in modern wide-body aircraft. “Together with the additional Boeing 777-9 order announced earlier this week, Emirates now has a total of 375 units of the latest wide-body aircraft on its orderbook. This is a massive investment in our future, the future of flying better for our customers, as well as the future of aviation in terms of job and value creation.”

Airbus said the renewed order underscores the strength of its partnership with Emirates. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said the A350 remains central to long-haul fleet modernisation. “We are pleased to see our long-standing partner Emirates renewing its commitment to the Airbus A350, which continues to set the benchmark for long-haul travel. We look forward to supporting Emirates as it expands its operations with one of the world's most modern widebody aircraft in the market.”

Rolls-Royce, which exclusively powers the A350-900, said the airline’s confidence in the Trent XWB-84 has strengthened the relationship. “Today’s announcement is testament to the confidence in the Trent XWB-84, exclusively powering the Airbus A350-900,” said Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President, Customer – Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. He noted its “outstanding durability and low fuel consumption,” adding that Rolls-Royce is “proud to continue our long-standing relationship.”

Emirates’ expanding A350 orderbook supports tens of thousands of skilled roles across European manufacturing networks, with supply chain activity extending beyond the major Airbus hubs in France, Germany, the UK and Spain.

With this latest order, Emirates’ total commitment to new aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2025 now stands at US$41.4 billion, following the earlier purchase of 65 additional Boeing 777-9s. The airline’s current fleet stands at 269 aircraft, with 375 future deliveries scheduled across Airbus and Boeing programmes.