Etihad Airways (EY) appears ready to further strengthen its long-haul fleet, with reports suggesting the airline is preparing to order 10 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners. If confirmed, the announcement could become one of the major commercial aircraft deals unveiled during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 later this month.
The potential purchase would reinforce Etihad’s long-term expansion strategy as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier works toward doubling its fleet and significantly increasing passenger capacity by the end of the decade.
Boeing 787 Order Could Be Announced at Farnborough
According to a Reuters report published on July 8, Etihad is in advanced discussions with Boeing over the acquisition of 10 Dreamliners. Industry sources indicate the agreement could be revealed during the Farnborough International Airshow, which will take place from July 20 to July 24 in the United Kingdom.
Neither Boeing nor Etihad has publicly commented on the reported negotiations, and sources cautioned that discussions remain ongoing until contracts are officially signed.
The report follows comments made in June by Etihad Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves, who confirmed the airline was evaluating a double-digit widebody aircraft order without identifying either the aircraft manufacturer or model.
Expansion Strategy Drives Fleet Growth
The reported Dreamliner acquisition aligns with Etihad’s “Journey 2030” transformation strategy, introduced in late 2023 to accelerate the airline’s post-pandemic growth.
Under the plan, Etihad intends to expand its fleet beyond 160 aircraft while extending its network to more than 125 destinations worldwide. The airline has also raised its annual passenger target to 38 million by 2030, up from an earlier projection of 33 million.
Adding more Boeing 787s would provide additional long-haul capacity while maintaining fleet commonality with one of the airline’s core aircraft types.
Builds on Previous Boeing Commitments
If finalized, the order would come little more than a year after Etihad placed another major Boeing order.
During U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Abu Dhabi in May 2025, the airline signed an agreement valued at approximately $14.5 billion for 28 Boeing widebody aircraft, including both 787 Dreamliners and 777X jets powered by GE Aerospace engines.
Deliveries from that order are expected to begin in 2028.
Industry reports also suggest Etihad has explored opportunities to accelerate fleet growth by taking over Boeing production slots that could become available if Air India postpones some of its scheduled Dreamliner deliveries into the next decade.
Sources indicate Etihad may secure several of those delivery positions, allowing new aircraft to enter its fleet as early as 2029 or 2030.
Regional Recovery Supports Expansion
The reported order comes as Middle Eastern airlines gradually recover from operational disruptions experienced during the first half of 2026.
Escalating regional tensions earlier this year forced several carriers, including Etihad, to adjust schedules while rising fuel prices increased operating costs. The airline later restored many affected services after conditions improved.
Aircraft manufacturers have also pointed to renewed strength in Gulf aviation markets as traffic across the region continues to rebound under the current ceasefire.
At the same time, Etihad faces increasing competition from established rivals Emirates and Qatar Airways, while Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air prepares for rapid expansion and Air India continues its own fleet modernization.
Dreamliner Already Forms the Backbone of the Fleet
The Boeing 787 already plays a central role in Etihad’s long-haul operations.
According to ch-aviation data, the airline currently operates 47 Dreamliners, comprising 37 Boeing 787-9s and 10 Boeing 787-10s. The fleet remains relatively young, with the 787-9 averaging approximately 7.6 years in service and the larger 787-10 averaging about seven years.
Etihad also has additional Dreamliners already on order, including four more 787-9s and 19 Boeing 787-10s.
Cabin layouts vary depending on the aircraft variant. According to aeroLOPA, every Boeing 787-10 features 32 Business Class seats alongside 295 Economy seats in a two-class configuration.
Meanwhile, the Boeing 787-9 fleet operates in three different layouts, offering either 32 Business and 271 Economy seats, 28 Business and 262 Economy seats, or a three-class configuration featuring eight First Class suites, 28 Business Class seats, and 190 Economy seats.
The different configurations allow Etihad to deploy aircraft according to demand across its international network.
Boeing 787 Network Continues to Expand
Cirium schedule data shows Etihad plans to operate 312 one-way Boeing 787-10 departures from Abu Dhabi during July 2026.
Milan Malpensa remains the largest destination for the variant, with 42 scheduled departures during the month. Daily Dreamliner services are also planned to Beijing Daxing, Hanoi, and Madrid.
The larger Boeing 787-9 fleet is even more heavily utilized, with 1,154 one-way departures scheduled during the same period.
Chicago O’Hare, Frankfurt, and Malé each receive twice-daily Dreamliner services, while Kuala Lumpur, Munich, Phuket, and Rome Fiumicino are also among the aircraft’s busiest destinations.
Official Announcement Still Pending
Etihad has yet to confirm the reported Boeing 787 purchase, and negotiations could still change before any agreement is finalized.
However, should the deal be announced at Farnborough later this month, it would further cement the Dreamliner’s role within Etihad’s long-term fleet strategy while providing Boeing with another significant order from one of the Gulf region’s leading international carriers.