Boeing and Qatar Airways Strengthen Partnership with 20 Additional 777-9 Jets
FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 23, 2024 — In a significant move to bolster its fleet, Qatar Airways has announced the acquisition of 20 additional Boeing 777-9 airplanes. This expansion brings the airline’s total 777X order book close to 100, reinforcing its position as a launch customer and a major player in the aviation industry.
The agreement, finalized this year and previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, marks a pivotal moment in Qatar Airways’ growth strategy. The airline already has 60 777-9 passenger airplanes on order and is the inaugural customer for the 777-8 Freighter with 34 cargo jets on order.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, expressed pride in the expansion: “Qatar Airways is proud to announce an expansion to the existing Boeing 777X aircraft order with an additional 20, totaling 94 Boeing 777X aircraft. As the World’s Best Airline, we operate one of the youngest fleets, offering unparalleled innovation and quality. Our commitment to excellence ensures our passengers always experience the best products and services in the industry.”
The Boeing 777X program, which combines advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner, is set to redefine efficiency, environmental performance, and passenger experience. The 777-9, the largest in its family, can accommodate 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration and boasts a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km).
Boeing has recently begun certification flight testing for the 777-9, which promises enhanced passenger comfort with a spacious cabin, improved humidity, a quieter environment, and increased natural light.
“Qatar Airways is a leader in our industry, and we are honored the airline added 20 more 777-9 jets to its large Boeing order book,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We appreciate their confidence that Boeing’s market-leading widebody family will provide outstanding fuel efficiency and a superior passenger experience for its global operations.”
In addition to the 777X family, Qatar Airways has 12 787 Dreamliner and 25 737 MAX aircraft on order, further emphasizing its commitment to maintaining a state-of-the-art fleet.
Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook predicts that twin-aisle jets like the 777X and 787 Dreamliner will comprise 44% of the region’s fleet among Middle Eastern operators over the next 20 years, underscoring the strategic importance of this order for both Boeing and Qatar Airways.
