Key facts
- Emirates expects Boeing 777-9 deliveries to commence in the second quarter of 2027.
- The airline has ordered an additional 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, valued at $38 billion.
- Emirates' total order for 777X aircraft now stands at 270.
- The FAA anticipates the 777-9 will be certified by late 2025 or early 2026.
- Boeing is considering developing a larger variant of the 777X.
Emirates expects to begin receiving Boeing's delayed 777-9 aircraft in the second quarter of 2027, according to airline president Tim Clark. Clark described the 2027 timeline as a "stretch," noting that the planes were originally slated for delivery in April 2020. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicated that the aircraft is expected to be certified late this year or early next year.
Despite the years of delays, Emirates placed a substantial order for an additional 65 Boeing 777-9 planes, valued at $38 billion including engines, at the Dubai Airshow. This order brings Emirates' total backlog for 777X aircraft to 270, along with 10 777 freighters and 35 Boeing 787s. Emirates Group chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum assured that these orders are factored into the airline's growth plans.
Boeing's senior vice-president of sales and marketing, Brad McMullen, highlighted the strong relationship between Boeing and Emirates, stating that both parties depend on each other. The delays have necessitated Emirates refurbishing its existing fleet, including its Airbus A380s. The latest order includes an option to upgrade to a larger version of the 777X, a possibility Boeing is considering. Emirates also announced it will offer free in-flight Wi-Fi via Elon Musk's Starlink network.