Boeing Lands $38B Widebody Jet Order

Emirates just doubled down on its long-haul future with a massive new commitment to Boeing and GE Aerospace. The airline ordered 65 more Boeing 777-9 jets, a deal valued at approximately $ 38 billion at list prices, and signed on for another 130 GE9X engines to power them. With this move, Emirates now has more than 540 GE9X engines on order and remains the largest customer for the 777X family. For the United States aerospace sector, this is a major boost. Boeing builds the 777X in the U.S., and GE manufactures the engines in the U.S. The size of this order supports years of production and thousands of jobs across American supply chains.

Emirates’ Chairman and CEO HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the deal fits the airline’s goal of operating a young, modern, high-capacity fleet. It also meshes with Dubai’s long-term growth plans. Emirates already flies more 777s than anyone, and this new commitment makes clear that the airline sees the 777X as the backbone of its future long-haul operations. The order also includes built-in flexibility. Emirates can convert some of these jets into the smaller 777-8 or into a larger model Boeing is studying called the 777-10. That option alone sends Boeing a message that Emirates wants bigger aircraft and is willing to support the development of a new stretch model.

Industry analysts say this was a major win for Boeing. After years of delays and certification setbacks for the 777X program, having its biggest customer reaffirm its trust brings stability to the entire project. Suppliers gain more visibility, Boeing gains production confidence, and the long-term economics of the program look better with a firm anchor customer locked in. At the same time, analysts point out that Boeing must now deliver without further slips. The 777-9 is still not expected to enter service until around 2027, which is several years behind the original plan. Emirates leaders have been vocal about their frustration with those delays, making it clear that Boeing must perform.

The deal also puts pressure on Airbus. With the A380 out of production, the industry lacks a true mega-capacity jet. Emirates has essentially signaled that it still wants very large aircraft for its hub-and-spoke model. If Boeing launches the 777-10, Airbus may need to explore stretching the A350 or developing a new high-capacity twin. In the meantime, Emirates’ move helps Boeing strengthen its position in the wide-body market, particularly for airlines that need large jets to feed major hubs.

For Emirates, this is a long bet on global travel demand. These jets will deliver well into the 2030s, which means the airline expects sustained growth in international traffic. The order gives Emirates plenty of flexibility to scale up or down within the 777X family, depending on how its network evolves. It also gives the airline a clear path for replacing some of its A380 fleet in the years ahead. Analysts note that this strategy makes sense for Emirates, but it also ties the airline closely to Boeing’s execution. If Boeing stumbles again, Emirates could face shortages or have to seek short-term leases to cover gaps.

There are risks beyond manufacturing delays. Long-haul demand can shift with fuel prices, environmental regulations, or global economic swings. Some airlines are moving to smaller, fuel-efficient long-range jets rather than very large aircraft. That raises the question of whether the upper end of the market will stay as strong as Emirates expects. Even so, Emirates appears confident that Dubai’s growth and its position as a global connector will keep demand high for large twin-aisle jets.

For Boeing, this order helps stabilize its future, supports the case for the 777-10 study, and gives the company a chance to prove that it can complete the 777X program on schedule. For Emirates, it reinforces the carrier’s identity as a long-haul powerhouse built around high-capacity, modern aircraft. And for the U.S. aerospace industry, the economic impact of such a massive order stretches across factories, suppliers, and long-term service contracts.