Trump announces “Boeing’s biggest ever airliner order!”
May 14, 2025
The signing ceremony in Doha was conducted by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, and Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, and was witnessed by President Trump and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s Emir.
Neither Boeing nor Qatar Airways provided a breakdown of the new order, initially, though it was claimed to be “the largest in Boeing’s History.”
It subsequently emerged that the Boeing Agreement was for up to 210 aircraft; including 130 Model 787 Dreamliners (this setting the record as the largest Dreamliner order), and 30 777-9 aircraft, plus 50 Boeing 787 and 777-9 options. The agreement with GE Aerospace was for 400+ GE9X and GEnx engines – the largest widebody engine deal in GE aerospace history.
President Trump gabbled that: “It’s over $200 billion but 160 in terms of the jets, that’s fantastic. So that’s a record, Kelly, and congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there, get them out there.”
A more measured Emir commented that: “After signing these documents, we are going to another level of relationship.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history. This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone. After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order – we’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences. We thank our partners at Boeing for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stephanie Pope, said: “We are deeply honoured that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its centre. Our team is looking forward to building 787s and 777s for Qatar Airways into the next decade as they connect more people and businesses around the world with unmatched efficiency and comfort.”
The quoted value of the deal is puzzling, since an order for 160 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft (the latter being Boeing’s most expensive jetliner) would be expected to come to around US $60 billion, far short of the US $200 billion quoted.
The order comes just days after Akbar Al Baker, the former chief executive of Qatar Airways issued what was described as “a stark warning to the global airline industry.” Al Baker has predicted that renewed geopolitical tensions, tariffs, supply chain shortages and disruption, and rising defence spending will hit the sector hard in the coming years.
