As It Happens: Dubai Airshow 2025 Day 3

Last Updated: 03:45am EST NOV 19 2025 by Jake Hardiman

Two years after the 2023 Dubai Airshow, the 2025 edition of the show is now here! Simple Flying will be on the ground at the airshow, bringing you the latest news from orders to exclusive interviews.

This page will be updated throughout the week with the latest news, including links to further coverage from our team on the ground and in the office. Be sure to pin this page and come back for the latest updates.

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Silk Way West Airlines Orders Two More Airbus A350 Freighters

Wednesday, November 19th, 03:45 EST | 12:45pm Local

Airbus has announced that Silk Way West Airlines has added another two examples of the A350F to its order book. This brings its commitment to the type to four units, and, as Airbus puts it, “forms the backbone of Silk Way West Airlines’ fleet modernisation and expansion strategy.” The European planemaker says that its new freighter will be able to carry as much as 111 tonnes of cargo on routes with distances up to 4,700 NM (8,700 km) long.

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flydubai Confirms Boeing 787 Premium Economy Introduction

Wednesday, November 19th, 03:40 EST | 12:40pm Local

Speaking to Simple Flying on the third day of the airshow, flydubai CEO Ghaith al Ghaith confirmed that its incoming Boeing 787 fleet will feature a three-class layout that includes a premium economy cabin. The UAE-based carrier has previously hinted at the introduction of such a product, but official confirmation has now arrived. The airline expects to receive its order of 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft between 2027 and 2033.

Read More: flydubai CEO Confirms Launch Of Premium Economy On Boeing 787

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flydubai And Boeing Sign Comprehensive Training Agreements

Wednesday, November 19th, 02:15 EST | 11:15am Local

flydubai and Boeing have announced agreements to provide comprehensive training programmes for the Dubai-based carrier’s pilot and maintenance workforce. This will include ab initio pilots and pilots undergoing initial type rating courses, along with the airline’s maintenance teams.

The Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) programmes will enhance training outcomes by emphasizing competency and data-informed scenarios. Boeing will also offer additional consulting services to help flydubai implement its new training programmes.

Chris Broom, Vice President, Training Solutions, Boeing Global Services, commented,

“With these new agreements, flydubai is demonstrating proactive leadership to prioritise safety and quality by providing access to effective and extensive training programmes for its maintenance and flight operations crews.”

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Airshow After Dark: Drone Show

Tuesday, November 18th, 10:45am EST | 7:45pm Local

When the sun sets, the air show doesn’t end! Drones lit up the night sky Tuesday to create a variety of unique pictures, from aircraft old and new, to skylines and satellites.

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The End Of Another Exciting Day

Tuesday, November 18th, 9:55am EST | 6:55pm Local

With the action now winding down in Dubai after an exciting second day at the airshow, we’ve compiled a summary of Tuesday’s top stories, which you can read here. We’ll be back tomorrow to bring you Wednesday’s coverage, and, as ever, we can’t wait to share all of the latest developments with you!

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Air Europa Commits To Up To 40 A350s

Tuesday, November 18th, 9:30am EST | 6:30pm Local

Etihad and Ethiopian aren’t the only major carriers that have put pen to paper on deals concerning the A350 today. Indeed, Airbus has also announced that Spain’s Air Europa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for up to 40 A350-900s, with these jets forming the backbone of its widebody fleet renewal strategy. The carrier currently has an all-Boeing fleet, but is ready to make the switch, with Juan Jose Hidalgo, its President, stating:

“The A350-900 is a game-changer for key destinations in Latin America. It provides an exceptional cabin experience and the operational performance and economics needed to expand the airline’s network without compromise.”

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Ethiopian Airlines To Lease Two ATR 72s From February 2026

Tuesday, November 18th, 9:20am EST | 6:20pm Local

Ethiopian Airlines’ second announcement of today came towards the close of play, with the carrier confirming that it would be leasing a pair of ATR 72-600s from February 2026. These aircraft will be brand-new and operated by Air Congo in order to support domestic connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ATR notes that the nation is “emerging as a strategic market with strong potential to meet growing regional connectivity needs.”

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Ethiopian Airlines Orders Six More Airbus A350-900s

Tuesday, November 18th, 7:55am EST | 4:55pm Local

Following its 11-aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 8 order yesterday, Ethiopian Airlines has got its checkbook out again today and made headlines on the second day of the 2025 Dubai Airshow by splashing the cash on another six examples of the Airbus A350-900. This deal reinforces its position as Africa’s largest airline and top A350 operator, and further highlights the strength of the working relationship between Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines.

Read More: Ethiopian Airlines Orders Six More Airbus A350s

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Gulf Air Finalizes Deal For Up To 18 Boeing 787s

Tuesday, November 18th, 4:10am EST | 1:10pm Local

Boeing is continuing to enjoy success with its Middle Eastern customers this week, with the news breaking today that it had sealed a definitive purchase agreement with Gulf Air for the Bahrain flag carrier to order 15 787s, plus options for three more. This deal represents the finalization of an earlier announcement, where the airline had initially stated it would buy 12 787s with options for six more. It now has 17 787s on order in total.

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AerCap To Lease Five Boeing 737s To FlySafair

Tuesday, November 18th, 03:30am EST | 12:35pm Local

AerCap has announced that it has signed a lease agreement with South African low-cost carrier FlySafair to supply five aircraft from the Boeing 737 family to the airline. This figure consists of three jets from the 737 MAX series and two from the 737NG series, with deliveries of these types beginning in Q3 of 2026 and Q1 of 2028 respectively.

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flydubai Makes Its 1st Airbus Order

Tuesday, November 18th, 2:30am EST | 11:30am Local

flydubai and Airbus have announced an MOU for up to 150 Airbus A321neos, a milestone order for the Dubai-based carrier, which currently operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet.

Read More: flydubai And Airbus Sign MOU For 150 A321neos

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Etihad Backs The A330neo

Tuesday, November 18th, 2:15am EST | 11:15am Local

Etihad Airways has placed an order for 15 Airbus A330neos and will also increase its commitments for the A350-1000 and A350F. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier made the announcement as part of an agreement with leasing firm Avolon, from whom it will lease nine of the 15 A330neos. The other six will be bought directly from Airbus.

Read More: Etihad Airways Buys Six Airbus A330neos And Bolsters A350-1000 And A350F Orderbook

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Flying Schedule – Monday 17th November

Tuesday, November 18th, 02:00am EST | 11:00am Local

The flying display for day two has been released. Expect to see these aircraft in the skies above Dubai World Central Airport today (all times local):

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Rumors Suggest A Stretched Airbus A350

Monday, November 17th, 11:50pm EST | 08:50am Tuesday Local

Following fresh discussion about stretched twinjets between Emirates and Airbus in the opening hours of the Dubai Airshow 2025, it was once again hinted that a new A350 variant may be in the works. The extra-long A350-2000 would be the largest aircraft in Airbus’ lineup should it go into production.

The CEO of the European aerospace titan, Christian Scherer, remarked that the company is studying the potential for a larger variant, according to Reuters.

Read More: “Yes”: Talks About A Stretched Airbus A350 Model Reignite At The Dubai Airshow

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The Day Draws To A Close

Monday, November 17th, 10:15am EST | 7:15pm Local

After a busy start, the first day of the 2025 Dubai Airshow has come to a close. You can find our roundup of the day’s events here, and we look forward to bringing you more coverage tomorrow!

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Emirates Aircraft Star In Flying Display

Monday, November 17th, 8:35am EST | 5:35pm Local

Aside from the day’s various commercial announcements, visitors to the show have also been kept entertained by a flying display. The most notable appearance thus far has been a formation flight involving all three of Emirates’ current aircraft types (the Airbus A350, A380, and Boeing 777), as pictured above. This, the carrier explains, saw “the airline showcase its full fleet in flight for the first time since the A350’s arrival in November 2024.”

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Air Senegal Intends To Order Up To 15 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Jets

Monday, November 17th, 7:05am EST | 4:05pm Local

Boeing’s latest news saw the manufacturer confirm that it has signed a letter of intent with Air Senegal for up to 15 examples of the 737 MAX 8. This figure is split between nine firm orders and six purchase options, with Brad McMullen, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, expressing his delight at being able to “welcome [Senegal] back to the 737.” Indeed, one of the country’s former airlines flew three 737 variants.

The carrier in question was Air Senegal International, with Planespotters.net showing that the airline, which ceased operations back in April of 2009, flew one 737-200, two 737-500s, and five 737-700s over the years. According to ch-aviation, the current iteration of Air Senegal, which was created in 2016 and started flying in 2018, has two Airbus A330-900s and two ATR 72-600s in its fleet, as well as a 777-200ER and two A320s on wet lease.

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Jazeera To Deploy Expliseat TiSeat 2X Seats Across Its Airbus A320 Family Fleet

Monday, November 17th, 6:40am EST | 3:40pm Local

Kuwaiti low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways has announced that it has teamed up with Expliseat to deploy the firm’s TiSeat 2X seats across its fleet of Airbus A320 family narrowbody twinjets. Their lightweight nature means that more can be placed on each aircraft, as the airline told Simple Flying in an interview:

“We’re [installing] the world’s lightest seats. Instead of 162, we’re putting 180 on the aircraft, so, for each flight that goes to Europe, or anywhere in the world, we’re carrying more customers, with less carbon footprint and lower fuel burn. It’s a plus-plus.”

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flydubai Selects GE Aerospace For Boeing 787 Engines

Monday, November 17th, 6:30am EST | 3:30pm Local

Emirates wasn’t the only UAE-based carrier making waves at the airshow this morning. Indeed, flydubai has also taken the opportunity to announce that it has selected GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines to power its incoming widebody fleet, which will consist of 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The carrier says that “the agreement also includes spare engines and long-term services support” and will play a role in “fuelling [its] growth ambitions.“

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Ethiopian Airlines Adds 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8s To Order Book

Monday, November 17th, 6:25am EST | 3:25pm Local

Boeing’s strong start to the Dubai Airshow 2025 has continued with an order for another 11 737 MAX 8s by Ethiopian Airlines. The carrier is the largest airline in Africa and has the continent’s youngest fleet, and this commitment will see it bolster its position on these fronts.

Read More: Ethiopian Airlines Orders 11 More Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft

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Emirates Orders 65 777-9s & Pushes Boeing To Study 777-10

Monday, November 17th, 3:30am EST | 12:30pm Local

Emirates is not resting on announcements today. In a press conference with Tim Clark, Sheikh Ahmed, and Stephanie Pope, the carrier announced an order for 65 more Boeing 777Xs. The other big news was that the Dubai-based carrier is pushing Boeing to study the feasibility of a stretched 777-10.

Read More: Emirates Orders 65 Boeing 777-9s & Pushes For 777-10 Feasibility Study

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Flying Schedule – Monday 17th November

Monday, November 17th, 1:15am EST | 10:15am Local

The flying display for day one has been released. Expect to see these aircraft in the skies above Dubai World Central Airport today (all times local):

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Emirates Chooses Starlink

Monday, November 17th, 12:30am EST | 9:30am Local

Home airline Emirates has gotten in early with its first announcement. The airline has revealed that it is adding Starlink WiFi to 232 aircraft from its Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleets. The first antennas have already been installed with Emirates showing off the tech at Dubai Airshow before it enters passenger service next week.

Read More: Emirates To Equip 200+ Aircraft With Starlink Internet

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Running 5K Around The Parked Airplanes

Sunday, November 16th, 4:50am | 1:50pm Local

This year, there are some new additions to the Airshow. On Tuesday, for example, the airshow will be open until 21:00 to allow for post-show networking and featuring a drone show. Another new feature this year was the ‘Runway Run’, a 5km run around the airshow site open to pre-registered members of the public.

Simple Flying writer Abid Habib donned his running shoes and took part in the run on Sunday morning. He has written up a review of his experience.

Read More: We Ran 5K Around The Aircraft At Dubai Airshow

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Airbus Vs. Boeing: What To Expect At The Dubai Airshow

Saturday, November 15th, 3:10am EST | 12:10pm Local

Airbus and Boeing, the traditional aviation competitors, will both have a big presence at the 2025 Dubai Airshow. Order rumors are already starting to roll in for both of the aerospace giants. Ahead of the airshow opening its doors on Monday, the Simple Flying team took a look at what to expect!

Read More: Airbus Vs. Boeing: What To Expect At The Dubai Airshow

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Etihad Order Rumors

Thursday, October 30th, 11:30am EST

Etihad is reportedly gearing up to order more Airbus A350s and also add the A330neo to its fleet. Etihad formerly operated the ceo version of the Airbus A330. The airline has 11 outstanding Airbus A350-1000 orders.

Read More: Etihad Airways In Talks With Airbus Over Potential A350 & A330neo Order

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Resource: The Aircraft Confirmed At This Year’s Airshow

Friday, November 14th, 8am EST | 5pm Local

This year’s Dubai Airshow has a diverse range of aircraft due to attend, from regular attendees such as the Boeing 777X, to aircraft making their Dubai Airshow debut, such as the COMAC C909 and C919.

See the full list: The Aircraft Set To Amaze At The 2025 Dubai Airshow

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What do you make of the 2025 Dubai Airshow so far? Get in touch at editorial@simpleflying.com.