On 20 January 2026, Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines (ET), Africa’s largest airline, announced a firm order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The deal, finalized in December 2025, further deepens the decades-long partnership between the U.S aircraft manufacturer and the Ethiopian national carrier.
The nine aircraft, specifically Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, will support Ethiopian Airlines’ ongoing growth in international travel demand and reinforce its operational capabilities on intercontinental routes from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), Addis Ababa. Alongside this long-haul order, the carrier also completed a separate purchase of 11 Boeing 737 MAX jets, expanding its total recent Boeing commitments.
Ethiopian Airlines
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Airline | Ethiopian Airlines |
| IATA Code | ET |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Headquarters | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Primary Hub | Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD), Addis Ababa |
| Fleet Size (approx.) | 130+ aircraft (widebody + narrowbody) |
| Destinations | 160+ global destinations |
| Alliance | Star Alliance member |
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Order Details: Nine Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
According to data from planespotters.net, Ethiopian already operates a fleet of 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners that are 9.6 years on average. These comprise of 20 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and ten 787-9 Dreamliners that average 11.3 years and 6.2 years, respectively.
The following table gives us a look at the carrier’s Dreamliners:
| Registration | Aircraft Type | Delivery Date | Aircraft Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| ET-AUO | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Oct 2017 | 8.3 years |
| ET-AUP | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Nov 2017 | 8.2 years |
| ET-AUQ | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Jun 2018 | 7.6 years |
| ET-AUR | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Aug 2018 | 7.5 years |
| ET-AXK | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Nov 2019 | 6.2 years |
| ET-AXL | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Dec 2019 | 6.1 years |
| ET-AXS | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Mar 2020 | 5.8 years |
| ET-AYC | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Oct 2020 | 5.7 years |
| ET-AXT | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | Jun 2023 | 3.8 years |
| ET-AYD | Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | May 2023 | 2.8 years |
On the occasion of the order of the additional Dreamliners that will add to the table above, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew remarked:
“We are pleased to confirm the order for nine Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft to further expand our existing fleet. This order underscores our continued commitment to enhancing our fleet with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, thereby further strengthening our customer service.”
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Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Overview and Significance
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a widebody aircraft family designed for long-range operations with advanced aerodynamics and composite materials to improve fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
According to Boeing:
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The Dreamliner reduces fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25% compared to the aircraft it replaces, offering airlines improved economics and sustainability.
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Since 2011, the 787 family has enabled airlines worldwide to launch 520+ new nonstop routes that were previously uneconomical with older widebodies.
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With more than 2,000 orders from 89 customers, the Boeing 787 is the best-selling passenger widebody aircraft in commercial aviation.
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The active fleet comprises 1,175+ aircraft, which have collectively transported over one billion passengers.
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Since entry into service, the 787 family has completed nearly five million flights, logging more than 30 million cumulative flight hours.
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Dreamliners now operate at 520+ airports across 85+ countries, significantly expanding long-haul network connectivity.
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The aircraft has enabled 425+ new nonstop routes to destinations that had never previously been served with direct flights.
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On a typical day, the global 787 fleet supports around 2,100 flights, carrying approximately 480,000 passengers daily, or about 14.5 million passengers per month.
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Each aircraft averages over 12 hours of flight time per day, reflecting strong utilization rates and sustained airline demand.
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The type operates the world’s longest nonstop commercial route, flown by Qantas between London and Perth, spanning 7,829 nautical miles.
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At the opposite end of the spectrum, the 787 has also operated one of the shortest widebody sectors, linking Aruba and Curaçao over just 65 nautical miles, flown by TUI as part of a transatlantic triangle routing.
Echoing the facts stated above, Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing Vice President, Commercial Sales and Marketing for Africa, added:
“The 787 Dreamliner family has proven to be a game-changer for airlines around the world, and we are proud to support Ethiopian Airlines in their mission to connect Africa with the global community.”
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How does Ethiopian Airlines Confiure Its Dreamliner Fleet
This robust Dreamliner footprint positions Ethiopian Airlines as the largest 787 operator in Africa. Here’s how the carrier configures its fleet of 787-9s:
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Business class: The Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-9 V.1 features 30 business class seats with a 78-inch pitch, 22-inch seat width, and full 180-degree recline, providing a fully flat-bed product designed for long-haul comfort, complemented by enhanced inflight dining and a comprehensive entertainment offering.
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Economy class: The aircraft is configured with 285 economy class seats offering a 31–32-inch pitch, 17-inch seat width, and 4-inch recline, optimized for longer regional and intercontinental sectors with ergonomic seating and a broad inflight entertainment selection.
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All in All
Ethiopians Airlines has a relatively young fleet that averages nine years, and this is going to get younger only with the addition of the 787-9 Dreamliners.
| Aircraft Type | In Service | Parked | Current Total | Average Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A350 XWB | 25 | 1 | 26 | 5.5 years |
| Boeing 737 | 35 | 1 | 36 | 9.1 years |
| Boeing 767 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12.6 years |
| Boeing 777 | 23 | — | 23 | 10.0 years |
| Boeing 787 Dreamliner | 28 | 2 | 30 | 9.6 years |
| De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 | 27 | 2 | 29 | 9.9 years |
| Total (active types only) | 140 | 8 | 148 | — |