Farnborough International Airshow 2026: The order rumours
The Farnborough International Airshow opens on Monday with expectations for commercial aircraft orders more subdued than in previous years, but several major deals are still believed to be under discussion.
At least seven airlines and lessors have been linked with potential announcements involving aircraft from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, ranging from regional and narrowbody jets to some of the world’s largest widebodies.
Not every agreement will necessarily be signed in time for the show. Aircraft negotiations regularly move into the final hours before an airshow announcement, while some campaigns can slip by several months or disappear altogether.
Nevertheless, the current list of reported deals suggests Farnborough could still generate commitments for more than 200 aircraft.
Farnborough Airshow order rumours at a glance
| Customer | Possible order | Manufacturer | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etihad Airways | 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners | Boeing | Very likely |
| Philippine Airlines | 15 Boeing 787-10s and nine Airbus A350-1000s | Airbus and Boeing | Very likely |
| Riyadh Air | 25–30 Boeing 787s, with possible additional Airbus A350-1000s | Airbus and Boeing | Very likely |
| Flynas | Eight Airbus A330neos | Airbus | Very likely |
| Ethiopian Airlines | 25 regional or narrowbody aircraft, with options for 10 more | Airbus, Boeing or Embraer | Somewhat likely |
| SMBC Aviation Capital | Around 100 narrowbody aircraft | Airbus or Boeing | Somewhat likely |
| Air India | 30–40 widebody aircraft, potentially rising above 50 | Airbus and Boeing | Somewhat likely |
| Condor | Around six Airbus A330neos | Airbus | Not so likely |
| Unnamed Embraer customers | Potential E-Jet E2 commitments | Embraer | Not so likely |
Etihad closes in on more Boeing 787s
Etihad Airways appears to be one of the strongest candidates for an early Boeing announcement.
According to Reuters, the Abu Dhabi carrier is reportedly nearing an agreement for 10 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with industry sources suggesting the deal could be announced at Farnborough.
Negotiations were still underway in early July, meaning an agreement was not guaranteed. However, Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves previously confirmed that the airline was considering an order for a double-digit number of widebody aircraft.
The potential agreement would build on Etihad’s substantial existing commitment to Boeing widebodies. In May 2025, the airline announced an order covering 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines.
Philippine Airlines prepares split Airbus-Boeing order
Philippine Airlines could provide both Airbus and Boeing with one of the show’s most significant widebody announcements.
The carrier is reportedly preparing to order 15 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and nine Airbus A350-1000s. The deal would mark Philippine Airlines’ first direct Boeing purchase in almost 20 years while expanding its existing relationship with Airbus.
For Boeing, the agreement would introduce the 787-10 into the Philippine Airlines fleet as a replacement and growth platform for long-haul services.
The additional A350-1000s would complement aircraft already ordered by the carrier, allowing it to expand on capacity-constrained routes to North America and Europe.
The split decision could also trigger an engine contest for the 787 portion of the order, as the Dreamliner is available with either the GE Aerospace GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.
Riyadh Air could firm up to 30 Dreamliners
Riyadh Air may arrive at Farnborough with another major order despite already holding commitments for up to 72 Boeing 787s.
The Saudi Arabian carrier is considering converting options for between 25 and 30 Dreamliners into firm orders. Its original 2023 agreement covered 39 firm aircraft and options for another 33.
An announcement could come during Farnborough, although the number and final terms were still being discussed ahead of the event.
Airbus may also benefit from Riyadh Air’s continued expansion. The airline has 25 A350-1000s on firm order and options for another 25, some of which could reportedly be converted into firm purchases.
The airline launched commercial services in June 2026 and plans to serve 22 cities by March 2027, eventually growing its network to more than 100 destinations by 2030.
Flynas may add eight Airbus A330neos
Another Saudi carrier could deliver an Airbus widebody announcement.
Flynas is reportedly in discussions to firm options for eight additional Airbus A330neo aircraft, with an announcement possible at Farnborough.
The airline signed a memorandum of understanding at Farnborough in 2024 covering 15 A330-900s and 75 A320neo-family aircraft.
Flynas is developing its long-haul operation as Saudi Arabia invests heavily in tourism, pilgrimage travel and international connectivity under its wider aviation strategy.
Ethiopian weighs Airbus, Boeing and Embraer
Ethiopian Airlines could produce one of the show’s most closely watched narrowbody contests.
The carrier is reportedly considering an initial order for 25 aircraft, with options for 10 more, as it seeks to expand its regional and short-haul fleet. Airbus is offering the A220, Boeing the 737 MAX 7 and Embraer the E195-E2.
Some earlier industry forecasts suggested the campaign could eventually grow to as many as 50 aircraft, although the clearest recent reporting points to an initial requirement for 25 plus 10 options.
A decision could be particularly important for Embraer. Ethiopian is Africa’s largest airline and operates a major connecting hub in Addis Ababa, making it a potentially influential E2 customer on the continent.
The airline is also believed to be studying an additional freighter order, although the number and aircraft type remain less certain.
SMBC could deliver the show’s largest deal
SMBC Aviation Capital could be at the centre of the largest single-aisle competition at Farnborough.
Tipranks reports Boeing to be in advanced discussions with the lessor for an order covering around 100 737 MAX aircraft. Airbus is also said to be pursuing a similarly sized A320neo-family commitment, creating the possibility of a major head-to-head contest.
It remains unclear whether SMBC will select one manufacturer, divide the requirement between both, or postpone a decision beyond Farnborough.
An order of that scale would be strategically important for either manufacturer. Lessors can place aircraft with multiple airlines and regions, making their purchasing decisions an important indication of broader market demand.
Air India remains Farnborough’s major wildcard
Air India is another possible source of widebody activity, although evidence of an imminent Farnborough announcement is less firm than for some of the other entities on this list.
The Tata Group-owned carrier has previously been reported to be considering an order for 30 to 40 additional widebody aircraft, potentially split between the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X. Some reports have suggested the final requirement could exceed 50 aircraft.
Those discussions were initially linked with the 2025 Paris Air Show, and no deal emerged, leaving Air India as a possible Farnborough wildcard.
The airline already has 50 A350s, 20 Boeing 787s and 10 777Xs on order as part of its sweeping fleet renewal program.
Condor and Embraer provide outside possibilities
German leisure carrier Condor has also been linked by Reuters with an order for around six Airbus A330neos.
However, industry sources have played down suggestions that an agreement is imminent, making Condor a less likely prospect than Flynas.
Embraer could also announce additional E2 business beyond the Ethiopian campaign. The Brazilian manufacturer has said it is pursuing several active sales opportunities and hopes to close agreements at Farnborough, although no customers have been publicly identified.
The final order tally may ultimately be less important than the ability of Airbus and Boeing to deliver the thousands of aircraft already in their backlogs.
Production constraints, shortages of engines and cabin equipment, and long delivery lead times have reduced the urgency for manufacturers to chase headline order numbers.
Even so, with several large widebody campaigns and at least one potential 100-aircraft narrowbody deal in play, Farnborough 2026 should still provide plenty of action at the commercial aircraft chalets.
