Emirates doesn’t want to talk about the Boeing 787

Emirates is one of the world’s largest airlines, with over 250 jets flying to almost every corner of the globe and a staggering 375 more jets still to be delivered by Airbus and Boeing.

Standouts in the Gulf carrier’s fleet include the Airbus A380 superjumbo (over a hundred of the double-deckers), the modern Airbus A350 and the much-delayed Boeing 777X (270 planes on order).

But despite Emirates signing on the dotted line for 40 Boeing 787s in 2017, in a deal worth US$15 billion, not a single Dreamliner sits in the hangars at Dubai.

Emirates’ original Boeing 787 order

Emirates announced this massive order for the Boeing 787-10 version at the 2017 Dubai Airshow, declaring “it has always been Emirates’ strategy to invest in the most advanced and efficient aircraft, and today’s orders reflect that.”

Configured in a “mix of two and three-cabin class configurations, potentially seating between 240 and 330 passengers,” the 787s were to “be delivered in phases from 2022 onwards.”

“We see the 787 as a great complement to our 777 and A380 fleet,” Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed said at the time, “providing us with more flexibility to serve a range of destinations as we develop our global route network.”

Two years later, in 2019, Emirates scaled this back to a smaller number of the more popular Boeing 787-9 model, with deliveries commencing in May 2023.

Yet today, and even allowing for the unexpected pandemic pause, Emirates’ Boeing 787s are nowhere to be seen – except for the airline’s fleet breakdown, where the Dreamliner is listed as 35 jets ordered but zero delivered.

The 787 also remains the plane which Emirates doesn’t want to talk about: when approached by Executive Traveller, the airline declined to offer any comment.

Flydubai now has the 787-9 on the way

However, it’s perhaps notable that Emirates’ value-minded sibling Flydubai inked its own order for 30 Boeing 787-9s – an order identical to that placed by Emirates – at the 2023 Dubai Airshow.

Deliveries are expected to start by the end of 2027 in what Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith has confirmed will be a three-class configuration of business class, premium economy and economy, as the carrier continues to move away from its low-cost origins.

“The main goal of the Boeing 787 will be to fly us farther and into new markets,” Al Ghaith has previously said.

“I think of London in Europe, and Bangkok Thailand. Maybe also to Australia, which the Dreamliners will enable us to achieve with their exceptional range.”

In the meantime, Emirates’ mid-sized jet of choice has become the Airbus A350, which debuted in January 2025.

A dozen A350s now fly in Emirates’ colours, with 60 more to come across the next six years.

The A350s have launched Emirates’ S-Lounge business class seat – inspired by the Mercedes S Class sedan – which is now spreading its wings to the Airbus A380.

Also read: Emirates’ $20 billion plan for new A380neo superjumbo