Emirates (EK, Dubai International) expects no B777X deliveries before 2027, or even 2028, sources at the carrier have told Bloomberg. While Boeing continues to publicly maintain that it will start delivering the aircraft type in 2026, Emirates is not so optimistic.
Sources "familiar with Emirates’ financial and operational planning" told the news agency that the airline was not expecting any B777Xs before the second quarter of 2027. They also said there is a likelihood of no deliveries before 2028.
To date, Emirates is Boeing's biggest B777X customer. It has thirty-five B777-8s and 170 B777-9s on order, more than double the next-biggest order - the sixty B777-9s and thirty-four B777-8Fs ordered by Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International). Emirates was originally due to start taking deliveries of its B777X aircraft in 2020. However, the US Federal Aviation Administration is yet to certify the aircraft type.
Emirates President Tim Clark has consistently criticised Boeing's B777X development problems and the delivery delays which now run into years. Among other things, the airline recently decided to spend USD4 billion to overhaul the cabins in its older B777-300ERs and A380-800s to accommodate the delays. Clark has asked Boeing to pay for part of the refurbishment costs. This is among a broader compensation package he wants from the manufacturer due to the delays.
According to the latest Boeing order data, aside from the B777X ordered by Emirates and Qatar Airways, the manufacturer also has commitments for ten from Air India; 18 from ANA - All Nippon Airways; 18 from British Airways; ten from Cargolux; 21 from Cathay Pacific; eight from Ethiopian Airlines; 25 from Etihad Airways; 27 from Lufthansa; two from Silk Way West Airlines; 31 from Singapore Airlines; and twelve from unidentified customers, for a total of 481 orders.
