Qatar Airways Orders Additional 20 Boeing 777-9 Passenger Aircraft

• 777X launch customer takes 777X order book to nearly 100 airplanes.
• Order part of growth plan that includes 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX

Boeing and Qatar Airways jointly announced today that the Middle Eastern airline has placed an order for an additional 20 units of the 777-9 aircraft, which is poised to become the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient twin-engine jet. This order, which significantly expands the carrier’s 777X order book to nearly 100 aircraft, was officially finalized during the current year and was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.

The award-winning airline played a pivotal role in the inception of the 777X program and currently holds confirmed orders for 60 777-9 passenger aircraft. Furthermore, Qatar Airways holds the distinction of being the inaugural launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter, with 34 of these cutting-edge cargo jets on order.

“Qatar Airways is proud to announce an expansion to the existing Boeing 777X aircraft order with an additional 20, totalling 94 Boeing 777X aircraft,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. “We, as the World’s Best Airline, are an industry leader and operate one of the youngest fleets, offering unparalleled innovation and quality. Keeping an eye on the future, we continue to ensure that all Qatar Airways passengers are only met with the best products and services available in the industry.”

The 777X initiative, which builds upon the well-received Boeing 777 series and integrates state-of-the-art technologies from the 787 Dreamliner, is intended to establish new levels of efficiency, environmental sustainability, and passenger satisfaction. Leading the pack is the 777-9, the largest model in the lineup, providing operators with the opportunity to tap into fresh growth possibilities with a seating capacity of 426 passengers in a standard two-class configuration and a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km).

Earlier this month, Boeing initiated certification flight testing for the 777-9, which will provide an enhanced passenger experience through its spacious cabin design, improved humidity control, reduced noise levels, and increased natural lighting.

“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 placed orders for 12 787 Dreamliner and 25 737 MAX aircraft. According to Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook, twin-aisle jets such as the 777X and 787 Dreamliner are projected to account for 44% of the Middle Eastern operators’ fleet over the next two decades.