Biman Bangladesh doubles fleet with $3.7bn Boeing 787 and 737 MAX order
May 1, 2026
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed its largest-ever order, doubling its fleet size with 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft.
In a bid to modernise and expand its fleet, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed an order for eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s. The airline already operates a fleet of all-Boeing aircraft across its long-haul and short-haul international networks. This latest order is estimated at $3.7 billion.
Based out of Dhaka in Bangladesh, Biman currently serves 22 international destinations across the Middle East, south and southeast Asia, North America and Europe.
The order marks Binman’s first 787-10 and 737 MAX order
The deal marks the Bangladeshi carrier’s first order of the largest 787 variant, which will be used to serve flights to the Middle East. It is also the airline’s first 737 MAX order. This aircraft type will support the airline’s single-aisle fleet renewal and will be deployed across Biman’s Middle East, India and southeast Asia routes.
The two 787-9s will support long-haul services to Europe and North America. Biman’s longest route is its service to Toronto via Istanbul, currently operated with a 787-9.
Notably, the 737 MAX and 787 families deliver 20-25% fuel-use improvement compared to the airlines they replace.
“The new fuel-efficient, technologically advanced aircraft will modernise Biman’s fleet, sharpen operational performance, and extend its international route network – strengthening Bangladesh’s position in the global aviation market,” said Kaizer Sohel Ahmed, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Comfort comes as standard on the Boeing 787-10
Featuring the largest windows of any widebody jet, air that is less dry and pressurised at a lower cabin altitude and technology that senses and counters turbulence, the 787-10 has been hailed for offering passengers a “comfortable cabin experience,” according to Boeing.
The OEM’s vice president of commercial sales and marketing, Eurasia, India and South Asia, Paul Righi, described the 787-10 as delivering “unmatched efficiency and seamless commonality” with Biman’s existing 787s. He also commented that “the 737-8 is the ideal bridge from their 737 fleet with its versatility, fuel savings and crew commonality.”
Boeing boosted by April orders
The Biman order closes a successful month for the US airframe manufacturer. The OEM has confirmed deals spanning Africa, Latin America and the wider commercial aviation sector.
Earlier in the month, Ethiopian Airlines announced the purchase of six 787 Dreamliners, as it fully exercised commitments from its landmark 2023 order. The African carrier operates the continent’s largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying the jets on intercontinental routes to Europe, Asia and North America, as well as intra-African routes.
Copa Airlines also announced an order on 28 April comprising 40 aircraft with options for a further 20, taking the potential order to 60 new 737 MAX jets. The deal underlines Boeing’s strength in Latin America’s fast-growing aviation market, with Copa Airlines planning to add more than 100 new 737 MAX jets to grow its fleet to over 200 aircraft by 2034.
Across Q1, 2026, Boeing delivered 143 commercial aircraft and reported revenues of $22 billion. The total company backlog grew to a record $695 billion, with CEO Kelly Ortberg confirming a “strong start to the year”.
Featured image: Boeing
