Emirates orders 150 777Xs and 50 A380s

Emirates ordered (17-Nov-2013) 35 Boeing 777-8Xs, 115 777-9Xs and 50 A380s, valued at USD99 billion at list prices. The airline also secured purchase rights for 50 777Xs. The orders increase the carrier's total order book, excluding options, to 385 aircraft with an estimated value of USD166 billion. The airline also ordered 300 GE GE9X engines to power its 777Xs. The 777-8X and 777-9X will be operated in two and three-class configurations, with the 777-8X potentially seating 342 passengers in three classes and the 777-9X seating more than 440 passengers in two classes. The 50 A380s bring the carrier's total A380 order book to 101 aircraft, worth USD45 billion. The first 25 aircraft from the order are scheduled to be delivered before 1Q2018 and will be operated in a combination of two and three-class configurations. Emirates chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said, "Emirates' aircraft orders today, with deliveries of the 777X scheduled to start in 2020, will take us to 2025 and beyond - replacing aircraft due for retirement and providing the foundation for future growth." Emirates president Tim Clark said, "The A380 continues to be the flagship of our fleet, and after five years in operation it remains highly popular with our passengers...and it gives us the flexibility in some cases to meet passenger demand in slot-constrained markets. This latest order will help us meet both fleet expansion and fleet replacement needs." [more - original PR] [more - original PR - 2]