Gulf Air finalises order with Boeing for 15 additional 787-9 Dreamliners at Dubai Airshow
November 18, 2025
Gulf Air has announced that it has finalised a firm order for 15 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for three more as the Bahrain-based carrier looks to further develop its international network.
The order adds three Boeing 787s to an initial agreement signed between the parties in July that called for 12 of the twinjets to be added to the Bahraini carrier’s fleet.
With two aircraft still outstanding from an earlier commitment, this latest order brings Gulf Air’s total order book for the Dreamliner family to 17 of the wide-bodied long-haul jets.
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Gulf Air expands its Dreamliner fleet
The airline currently operates ten Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on its international network. Each seat 282 passengers in a two-class configuration. According to Planespotters.net, the oldest of these current aircraft dates from April 2018, and the average fleet age is 6.5 years.
The agreement for the addition, jets was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow 2025 by Martin Gauss, chief executive officer of Gulf Air, and Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
“Today’s signing marks a significant advancement in Gulf Air’s long-term fleet development efforts,” said Khalid Husain Taqi, Chairman of Gulf Air Group.
“By confirming our acquisition of the Boeing 787 Dreamliners, we are accelerating our strategy to increase capacity, strengthen long-haul operations, and deliver an elevated, more sustainable travel experience to our passengers.”
“This agreement also builds on the long-established relationship between Gulf Air and Boeing, a partnership that has supported our growth for decades,” he added.
“Gulf Air is taking exciting steps to expand its global footprint, and we are honoured the airline has confirmed the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as the cornerstone of its fleet today and in the decades ahead,” said Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“The 787’s superior efficiency and passenger comfort fit perfectly with Gulf Air’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence,” she added.
Additional aircraft for route expansion
The 787 Dreamliner is seen as an integral part of Gulf Air’s aspirational long-haul operations, which currently connect over 50 destinations.
With the ten 787 aircraft already in service, the airline is planning to grow its network, serving new and existing markets across Asia, Europe and the US.
In October 2025, Gulf Air resumed flights from Bahrain to the US after a 28-year hiatus.
The Bahraini flag carrier last operated regular nonstop flights to the US in 1997 when it used an Airbus A340 aircraft to operate direct flights to New York, which continued on from New York-JFK on to Houston.
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