Qatar Airways orders Boeing 777X freighters and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

Image: Boeing

This order makes Qatar Airways the first customer of the next generation Boeing 777 Freighter. Additionally, Qatar Airways and Boeing have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to acquire up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. These aircraft orders also personify a gradual move away from Airbus aircraft at Qatar, whilst disputes between the manufacturer and Qatari flag carrier continue.

The first Boeing 777-8F is expected to be delivered to Qatar Airways in 2027.

Qatar Airways are currently the second-largest global operator of dedicated Boeing 777 Freighters according to fleet data from IBA's InsightIQ aviation intelligence platform, operating 26 aircraft (representing 12% of the global in-service fleet of 217 aircraft). The largest 777 freighter aircraft operator is Federal Express.

Qatar Airways have a total of 244 aircraft in service as of early February 2022. 85% of the in-service fleet are widebodies, including Boeing and Airbus types. The lion's share of the long-haul fleet is made up of 51 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with an average age of 8.5 years.

A recent analysis of airline carbon emissions at Qatar Airways using our Carbon Emissions Calculator revealed that the Boeing 787-9 is the most efficient widebody aircraft in the Qatar Airways fleet, producing 34% less CO2 per seat per mile compared to the Boeing 777-200LR. We also revealed that higher density layouts on older aircraft can lead to a more efficient performance per-seat per-mile than more contemporary types. In the case of Qatar, the Airbus A330-300 outperformed the Airbus A350 due to a higher number of seats and different class configurations.

IBA's InsightIQ analysis platform flexibly illustrates multiple asset, fleet and market positions, actual and potential, to inform client choices and identify acquisition opportunities. Immediate access to crucial aircraft, engine, lease rate and fleet data eases appreciation of historic and future aircraft concentrations and operator profiles.

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