Airlines Qatar Airways orders 20 additional Boeing 777-9

During Farnborough Air Show 2024, Qatar Airways announced its latest commitment to aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The middle eastern carrier will add 20 more Boeing 777-9 to their fleet.

This order expands Qatar’s order book for the 777X to nearly 100 aircraft, as the airline has now 60 777-9s on order while also being the inaugural launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter, of which the airline’s cargo division will receive 34 of.

"Qatar Airways is proud to announce an expansion to the existing Boeing 777X aircraft order with an additional 20, totalling 94 Boeing 777X aircraft," commented 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."

"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," added 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."

Boeing’s 777X programme has been hit with delays and issues during certification. In 2022, the new GE8X engine revealed technical issues and the test programme was subsequently abandoned. Just recently, the manufacturer was able to begin the certification flight testing for the 777-9.

Deliveries have been pushed by Boeing to late 2025. Singapore Airlines revealed that it expects its first deliveries to being in late 2025, while initial launch customer Lufthansa expects to receive their first 777X in 2026.