DUBAI- Emirates Airline (EK) is considering converting its order for 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to Boeing 777X jets as it reviews its future fleet requirements amid continued delays to the 787 programme.
The airline, based at Dubai International Airport (DXB), is evaluating delivery schedules, cabin outfitting plans and its wider fleet strategy as it prepares for the expected arrival of Boeing 777X aircraft from the middle of next year.
Emirates Reviews Boeing 787 Fleet Plans
Emirates currently has 35 Boeing 787 aircraft on order, consisting of 20 Boeing 787-8s and 15 Boeing 787-10s. The airline is now assessing whether the original order remains aligned with its operational requirements.
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operating Officer of Emirates, said the option of converting the 787 order to the 777X remains under consideration because of delays affecting the Dreamliner programme.
Speaking on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market 2026, Al Redha said Emirates is reviewing its fleet plans based on aircraft delivery schedules and cabin outfitting requirements.
The review comes as Emirates prepares for the expected delivery of Boeing 777X aircraft from the middle of next year. The timing of those deliveries could influence how the airline manages its wide-body fleet over the coming years.
Two Options Under Consideration
According to Al Redha, Emirates currently has two main options for its Boeing 787 order.
The first is to proceed with the 787 aircraft under a revised delivery schedule agreed with Boeing. The second is to convert the existing order to Boeing 777X aircraft.
Al Redha said discussions between Emirates and Boeing are expected to provide greater clarity within the next two months. Emirates will then decide which option best matches its fleet requirements and delivery plans.
He said the possibility of converting the order to the 777X remains open, adding that the airline will discuss the available options with Boeing, Emirates247 reported.
Boeing 787 Deliveries Could Start After 2029
If Emirates retains its Boeing 787 order, deliveries are not expected to begin before the end of 2029, according to Al Redha.
That timeline gives the airline another factor to consider as it plans the transition and expansion of its wide-body fleet.
A prolonged wait for the 787 could affect the timing of Emirates’ fleet growth and aircraft replacement plans. Converting the order to another Boeing wide-body type would also change the composition of the airline’s future fleet.
The decision therefore involves more than aircraft availability. Emirates is also reviewing how delivery timing fits with its cabin configuration and outfitting plans.
Airbus A350 Already Expanding Emirates Fleet
Emirates is simultaneously introducing the Airbus A350 into its fleet as part of its long-term wide-body fleet modernisation programme.
Al Redha noted that the A350 provides seating capacity and range capabilities similar to those offered by the Boeing 787. The aircraft is already entering service with Emirates, giving the airline another modern wide-body type for its network expansion.
The A350’s presence is an important factor in Emirates’ fleet planning because the airline is evaluating how different aircraft types will fit into its future network.
The Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 occupy a different position within the wide-body market compared with the larger Boeing 777X. Emirates’ decision will therefore affect the balance of aircraft capacity across its future fleet.
Emirates Continues 777X Fleet Plans
The potential 787 conversion comes as Emirates continues to prepare for the Boeing 777X.
The airline has a long-standing relationship with the Boeing 777 family, and the 777X is intended to form a major part of its future wide-body fleet. The aircraft is larger than the 787 and is designed for long-haul operations.
Expected 777X deliveries from the middle of next year could give Emirates additional capacity as the airline continues to expand and modernise its fleet.
The timing also creates a potential overlap between the arrival of the 777X and the delayed introduction of the 787. Emirates must therefore determine whether both aircraft types are required and how they would fit into its future network.
Decision Expected Within Two Months
Emirates is expected to make greater progress on the Boeing 787 order following further discussions with Boeing.
Al Redha indicated that the situation should become clearer within approximately two months. The airline will then determine whether to maintain the 35-aircraft Dreamliner order under a revised delivery schedule or convert the order to Boeing 777X aircraft.
For now, both options remain under consideration.
The decision will form part of Emirates’ broader fleet strategy as the airline adds Airbus A350 aircraft, prepares for Boeing 777X deliveries and evaluates the timing of its next-generation wide-body aircraft.
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