Emirates Dubious About Boeing 777X Deliveries By 2026

With 205 aircraft already ordered, Emirates

‘s future fleet is centered around the eagerly awaited Boeing 777X

. But according to Bloomberg, the airline based in Dubai has been forced to reevaluate its expectations due to the ongoing delays in the aircraft’s commercial launch. Deliveries are now expected to be delayed until at least the second quarter of 2027, and potentially later in 2028. The aircraft had previously missed many delivery targets, and these delays came after a series of difficulties in its construction.

Photo: Emirates

Further delays with Boeing 777X deliveries

Originally planned for delivery in 2020, the Boeing 777X was intended to be the next generation of the popular 777 widebody aircraft, with improvements in efficiency, range, and passenger comfort. However, the aircraft’s manufacture and certification have been continuously delayed by a complex certification process and manufacturing issues. Boeing

‘s CEO explained the delay by pointing to difficulties in the aircraft’s development, the flight test pause, and the continuous work stoppage brought on by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ (IAM) strike.

Photo: Boeing

The timeframe has been made more difficult by the fact that the 777X program has drawn special attention from the US Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), which is responsible for certifying new Boeing aircraft, in the wake of high-profile safety problems with Boeing’s previous models.

Emirates forced to adjust fleet plans

The relationship between Emirates and Boeing has been one of both hope and despair for the long-standing flagship client of the 777X. Bloomberg reported that last November, Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, made an open speech outlining the airline’s difficulties and highlighting its pressing need for new aircraft. “We’re a frustrated entity because we need airplanes and we need them now,” he stated.

Related

How Many Boeing 777X Is Emirates Still Waiting For?

Emirates, the world’s largest Boeing 777X customer, is still waiting for them. Deliveries are set to begin in 2026.

Clark said he’s keeping a tight check on Boeing after the US manufacturer routinely missed delivery deadlines for its planes, indicating one of the manufacturer’s major customers is running out of patience waiting for the plan.

Emirates has had to take expensive steps to keep up operations as the delays have gotten worse. At first, the airline had to abandon the 777X’s original interior design since it was out of date due to improvements in cabin technology and design. The airline has made significant investments to prolong the life of its current aircraft as a result of these modifications and delays. In order to fill the gap until the 777X comes, Emirates has committed to a $4 billion upgrade effort that will involve updating its current Airbus A380 and earlier Boeing 777 models.

Photo: Falcons Spotters | Shutterstock

Lufthansa set to be the first carrier with 777X

Similar difficulties are being faced by regional rival Qatar Airways, which has more than 90 777X aircraft on order.

Boeing confirmed Lufthansa as the launch customer for the next generation of its Boeing 777-9

wide-body aircraft two weeks ago. The manufacturer’s CFO, Brian West, stated that Lufthansa would be the first to receive the new aircraft during its Q4 2024 earnings call. Lufthansa is now slated to receive its first Boeing 777-9 in 2026, becoming the launch customer of the newest variant in the 777X family.

Photo: cpaulfell | Shutterstock

Who ordered the new aircraft?

According to Boeing’s website, there are 481 orders for the 777X from over 13 operators and some from unidentified customers as of January 2025.