Etihad will add 28 wide-body Boeing aircraft powered by GE engines, following a new deal confirmed on May 16, 2025. The aircraft are expected to arrive beginning in 2028 as part of the airline’s updated fleet plan.
The agreement includes Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft and will support Etihad’s plans to grow its operations and adapt its fleet to long-term route and network adjustments. The White House announced the deal, confirming that the total value of the aircraft purchase reaches $14.5 billion. GE and Boeing did not release separate statements.
Etihad stated that this latest move matches its “ongoing approach to aligning its fleet with evolving network and operational needs.” The airline currently operates about 100 aircraft. Under its current strategy, Etihad plans to reach over 170 aircraft in its fleet by 2030. This year alone, the airline will bring in 20 to 22 new planes to meet expanding demand.
Ten of the deliveries this year will consist of Airbus A321LRs. Etihad introduced the model on May 13, 2025, and expects the aircraft to begin operating in August. The rest of the arrivals this year include six Airbus A350s and four Boeing 787s.
The airline said the orders will help meet new route requirements and also strengthen Abu Dhabi’s broader plans for economic growth through improved air transport access.
A broader partnership with the United States
The White House emphasized the economic importance of the aircraft order. “With the inclusion of the next-generation 777X in its fleet plan, the investment deepens the longstanding commercial aviation partnership between the UAE and the United States, fueling American manufacturing, driving exports,” according to the official statement.
Etihad is fully owned by ADQ, a state-owned investment company in Abu Dhabi managing about $225 billion in assets. The airline has recently emerged from a long restructuring period, which included internal leadership changes. Under CEO Antonoaldo Neves, the airline has moved toward expansion, focusing on a stronger and more diverse fleet.
Neves mentioned in April 2025 that the fleet will continue to grow steadily through the rest of the decade as part of the airline’s overall plan to support Abu Dhabi’s economic goals.
Other major deals in the region
Earlier this week, Boeing also finalized a separate large aircraft order from Qatar Airways. During a visit to Doha by Donald Trump on May 9, 2025, the White House announced a firm order for 160 wide-body planes, with options for 50 more. That agreement totals $96 billion.
The two major purchases, both confirmed in May 2025, reflect a shared interest among Gulf airlines in long-term fleet planning and continued aircraft investment. The GE-powered models included in the Etihad order also contribute to ongoing cooperation between American aerospace firms and carriers in the Middle East.
Etihad’s investment adds momentum to its target of growing its presence and meeting rising demand across its network. With new aircraft scheduled to begin delivery in 2028, the airline is positioning itself to meet future travel needs while working toward operational goals set for the coming years.
