Emirates’ $41,000,000,000 jet order comes with a message for Boeing to ‘aim for your former glory’

Having served as the backbone of the luxury Emirates airline, the new $41 billion order of 65 Boeing 777 planes comes with a stern warning to the aircraft manufacturers to return to its ‘former glory’.

Emirates and Boeing’s relationship spans decades, as the luxury Middle Eastern airline has used the 777 series for flying its routes around the globe.

Having bought its first 777 back in 1996, adding it to the 737 fleet, the Dubai-based airline has polished hundreds of the beautiful planes with its renowned quality.

And this relationship is only getting bigger as another 65 Boeing 777 planes are on the way to Emirates, although President Sir Tim Clark has called for the brand to improve.

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Emirates splashes $41 billion on 65 new planes

Emirates has been stealing the limelight at the Dubai Airshow 2025, as its new Starlink deal served as one of many expos that put it centre stage.

But immediately after, the airline continued to rock the aviation industry, as President Sir Tim Clark announced two major deals with Boeing.

Continuing relationships that are nearly 50 years in the making, the airline revealed that it has placed a $38 billion order for 65 Boeing 777-9s and a smaller, yet still huge, $3.4 billion top-up for eight Airbus A350-900s.

The $41 billion joint deal will bolster the Emirates fleet to 375 planes, as the UAE company moves from strength to strength as the largest international airline in the world.

But despite the mammoth deal, Sir Tim Clark has expressed concerns.

The wrangling with the US Federal Aviation Administration has led to a slower approval process for the Boeing fleet, and this has hampered the expansion of Emirates.

Emirates President demands more from Boeing, dishing out stern warning

With the 777 being Emirates’ favorite aircraft of all time, President Sir Tim Clark downplayed their importance, claiming the new carriers were ‘sound’.

Amid the legislative tug of war, Clark has demanded that the American aircraft makers revisit their approach and get back to being the powerhouse it was a decade ago.

“I know the Boeing of old, and I know what Boeing could do,” he told CNBC.

“I see no reason why what has happened in the last decade cannot be fixed.”

“But with new management, they have a strong chance of restoring the company to its former glory.”

“I don’t think we’d be doing that if we weren’t confident they were going to be able to deliver.”

If it cannot deliver, the Airbus A350 jets are already proving to be a good alternative and would be an easy switch.

Still, Boeing will be confident that it can deliver, even if it is carrying the extra weight of $38 billion in its back pockets.

Timeline of Emirates and the Boeing 777

1996: Emirates bought its first 777 aircraft

Mid 2000s: small orders of the 777-300 and 777-300ER planes are placed, bolstering the ranks

November 2005: The airline purchases 42 Boeing 777 aircraft

November 2013: First order for 777X aircraft placed for 150 jets, with the intention to replace the older models

13 November 2023: Another huge 777X order for 90 aircraft is placed, taking its total to 205 Boeing 777 planes

2019–2024: Delivery delays of 777X gradually emerged, affecting expectations.

November 2025: 65 additional 777-9s ordered, worth $38 billion, making Emirates the biggest customer for Boeing. Sir Tim Clarke issues his warning.

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