Emirates Airlines keeps getting bigger.
Literally.
One of the leading carriers in the Mideast Gulf region made
a big announcement this morning at the Dubai Air Show.
Emirates has placed an order for 90 777X airplanes,
including 55 777-9 and 35 777-8 jets. The new order increases Emirates' 777X
family backlog to 205 planes. Emirates has turned its widebody fleet into an
art form as it competes with fellow Gulf carrier Etihad and its proprietary The
Apartment.
“Emirates is the biggest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft,
and today’s order cements that position,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airlines and Group. “We’ve been
closely involved in the 777 program since its start up until this latest
generation of 777X aircraft. The 777 has been central to Emirates’ fleet and
network strategy of connecting cities on all continents non-stop to Dubai.”
“We are pleased to extend our relationship with Boeing and
look forward to the first 777-9 joining our fleet in 2025,” Saeed Al Maktoum
continued.
Boeing's relationship with Emirates dates back to the
airline's first 777 order in 1992. Today, Emirates has nearly 150 777 jets in
its fleet.
"This order is an incredible vote of confidence in
Boeing's highly efficient widebody family and the versatility of our 777X and
787 airplanes to meet Emirates' needs for global long-haul travel," said
Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 777-9
and 777-8 are the perfect airplanes to support Emirates' growth, improving
environmental performance and unmatched payload capability along the way."
Boeing claims the 777-9 will be the world's largest and most
fuel-efficient twin-engine jet, with the lowest operating cost per seat of any
commercial airplane. The 777-9 seats 426 passengers in a typical two-class
configuration, with a range of 7,295 nautical miles.
The 777-8 seats 395 passengers with a range capability of up
to 8,745 nautical miles. Earlier this fall, Emirates extended its codeshare
agreement with United
Airlines.
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