Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has made a landmark investment on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2025, placing an order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft powered by GE9X engines, valued at US$ 38 billion at list prices.
With this order, Emirates’ total Boeing backlog rises to 315 widebody jets, including 270 Boeing 777X aircraft, 10 Boeing 777 freighters, and 35 Boeing 787s. Its total commitment to GE Aerospace also expands to 540 GE9X engines, following today’s addition of 130 units — reinforcing a massive, long-term support base for the US aerospace manufacturing sector.
The latest agreement also gives Emirates flexibility, with the airline securing options to convert its new 777-9 orders to the proposed 777-10 or the 777-8, signalling strong support for Boeing’s feasibility study of the higher-capacity 777-10 variant.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the order reflects the airline’s continued confidence in Boeing and GE. “Each aircraft in our orderbook is aligned with Dubai’s long-term growth plans. Operating a young, modern fleet equipped with next-generation onboard products remains central to our strategy. We look forward to receiving our first 777-9s from Q2 2027.”
He further reiterated Emirates’ interest in larger aircraft: “We’ve consistently encouraged manufacturers to develop higher-capacity jets that offer greater efficiency amid rising global air traffic and increasing airport constraints.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Stephanie Pope said the renewed order underscores the airline’s trust in the 777X family. “Emirates’ selection reaffirms the 777X as the backbone of its future fleet,” she said, highlighting the 40-year partnership between the two companies.
Russell Stokes, President & CEO of Commercial Engines & Services at GE Aerospace, added that the expanded GE9X order reflects Emirates’ confidence in GE’s next-generation engine technology.
Emirates has operated every variant of the Boeing 777 family in its 40-year history. Today, its 119 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 Boeing 777-200LRs, and 11 777 freighters connect Dubai to more than 140 destinations worldwide.
Following today’s announcement, Emirates will receive Boeing aircraft through 2038, sustaining thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs across multiple US states involved in producing and assembling the 777X and GE9X engines.
