Ethiopian Airlines converts options for 6 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into firm orders
April 21, 2026
Ethiopian Airlines is converting options for six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into firm orders to facilitate the carrier’s continued expansion in international markets. The new aircraft bring the airline’s total outstanding commitment to the type to 24 aircraft, building on an order placed in January for a further nine of the popular widebody Boeing twinjet.
Ethiopian Airlines converts options for 9 Boeing 787-9s into firm orders
Ethiopian Airlines is adding six more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to its fleet as the carrier moves ahead with plans for long-haul expansion and capacity increases on international routes.
On 20 April, the carrier signed an agreement with Boeing for the purchase of six additional 787 Dreamliner jets as the airline fully exercised commitments from an original 2023 order for up to 15 of the type signed at that year’s Dubai Airshow.
Ethiopian Airlines will use the additional 787-9 jets to expand its intercontinental network from the airline’s base at Addis Ababa Bole Airport (ADD) and increase cargo capacity as demand for long-haul travel continues to rise. The carrier will begin taking delivery of its new 787 jets in 2028.
The airline originally ordered nine Boeing 787-9s with options for a further six aircraft in 2023. This was supplemented earlier this year with a top-up order for a further nine of the type, as the carrier confirms its position as the largest and best-equipped airline on the African continent.
The airline operates its Boeing 787-9s in a two-class 315 passenger configuration, including 30 seats in business class and 285 in economy class.
Confirming the order at a ceremony held at Boeing’s offices in Arlington, Virginia, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said that converting the options for six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners into firm orders would allow the carrier to engage in further sustainable growth and prepare for further route development.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines, as well as representatives of the Ethiopian government and the US Department of Commerce.
Ethiopian Airlines is already a sizeable 787 operator
Even before this new order, Ethiopian Airlines already operates Africa’s largest 787 Dreamliner fleet, flying 20 270-seat 787-8s and ten 787-9 jets on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa to high-demand destinations across Europe, Asia and North America, as well as key intra-African routes spanning the world’s second-largest continent.
The aircraft is well-suited to the airline’s route network, offering a widebody experience to its long-haul passengers while allowing for ample cargo space in its belly for valuable exports from Ethiopia to the rest of the world.
“We’re proud that Ethiopian Airlines continues to look to the 787 Dreamliner to serve as the backbone of their fleet as they grow and modernise their operations, open new routes and comfortably serve more passengers,” said Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa.
Ethiopian Airlines has been one of the fastest-growing airline groups in the world since 2020. While many carriers spent years recovering from the pandemic, Ethiopian used cargo demand, a strong Addis Ababa hub model, and continued fleet expansion to grow market share across Africa and long-haul markets.
The carrier now operates the youngest fleet of any carrier in Africa and flies a fleet of 151 aircraft on its worldwide network. Alongside its current 30 787s, the carrier operates 26 Airbus A350 and 23 Boeing 777s in its long-haul fleet. The airline also has 39 Boeing 737s on strength alongside four 767-300 freighters.
The Boeing 787 remains a popular choice for airlines worldwide
The conversion of the options by Ethiopian Airlines into firm orders is another win for Boeing and its twin-aisle product range. At a time when its 777X certification programme is running years behind its original schedule, to the frustration of airline customers, its Boeing 787 product line has been flying the flag for the company’s long-haul product range.
In 2025, Boeing reported 368 net 787 orders for the 787, one of the best years in Dreamliner history. This figure was helped by the rising demand for long-haul air travel and airlines locking in scarce delivery slots.
More recently, in January this year, Delta Air Lines ordered up to 60 787-10s, representing the first time the airline had ordered any member of the 787 family and overturning its lean towards Airbus twin-aisle products in recent years.
Then, in April, Israeli carrier El Al announced an order for 12 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners, valued at around US$1.5 billion. The airline is exercising options to purchase six more Boeing 787-9s and converting four previously planned aircraft to the 787-10.
Aircraft deliveries are expected between 2030 and 2032, with the carrier additionally securing options for six 787s for delivery between 2033 and 2035.
Featured image: Acroterion / Wikimedia Commons
