Emirates has ordered eight additional Airbus A350-900 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2025, expanding its long-term commitment to the type as the airline continues to renew and diversify its widebody fleet. The agreement, valued at US$3.4 billion at list prices, increases Emirates’ total A350-900 backlog to 73 units.
The new aircraft, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines, are scheduled for delivery in 2031. Emirates has so far taken delivery of 13 A350-900s, the first of which entered service in November 2024.
Deliveries start in 2031 as fleet expands to 73 A350-900s
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the A350 is already playing an important role in the airline’s network development.
“The Emirates A350’s entry into service last November has given us welcome additional capacity. It has also enabled us to introduce Emirates’ latest inflight products to more customers, including our popular Premium Economy seats. We look forward to working closely with Airbus on the delivery of our remaining aircraft including the new units that we have ordered today,” he said.
The new order follows the carrier’s announcement earlier in the week confirming 65 additional Boeing 777-9s. Altogether, Emirates now has 375 next-generation widebodies on order, one of the largest widebody commitments in commercial aviation.
“This is a massive investment in our future, the future of flying better for our customers, as well as the future of aviation in terms of job and value creation,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Why the A350-900 remains central to Emirates’ fleet plan
The A350-900 has allowed Emirates to open new destinations and adjust long-haul capacity more flexibly. The airline has already announced a growing network of A350 routes for 2025, reflecting how the aircraft fits into its long-term growth strategy.
Airbus welcomed the renewed commitment. Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales for Commercial Aircraft, said the A350 remains a core asset for major long-haul airlines.
“We are pleased to see our long-standing partner Emirates renewing its commitment to the Airbus A350, which continues to set the benchmark for long-haul travel. We look forward to supporting Emirates as it expands its operations with one of the world’s most modern widebody aircraft in the market,” he said.
Rolls-Royce highlighted the Trent XWB-84’s performance record, which powers the A350-900 exclusively. The variant has not been affected by the inspection actions involving the higher-thrust XWB-97 engines on the A350-1000.
Omar Ali Adib, Senior Vice President, Customer for the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, said the engine remains a strong fit for Emirates’ operating model.
“Today’s announcement is testament to the confidence in the Trent XWB-84, exclusively powering the Airbus A350-900. The Trent XWB-84 has been setting the industry benchmark for large aero-engines for ten years, demonstrating outstanding durability and low fuel consumption, making it the ideal platform to support Emirates and its expansion,” he said.
Reinforcing capacity growth beyond the 2030 horizon
Emirates’ latest A350-900 top-up comes just days after it confirmed a follow-on order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9s at Dubai Airshow 2025, which lifted its future deliveries to 367 aircraft across Boeing and Airbus types, including 52 Airbus A350-900s.
With eight more A350-900s now added, that pipeline rises to 375 next-generation widebodies, comprising 60 undelivered A350-900s, 270 777-9s, 10 777 freighters and 35 787s.
Together, the two deals show Emirates locking in capacity well into the 2030s and doubling down on a dual-source strategy built around the A350 and 777X families, reinforcing its position at the center of global long-haul traffic flows.
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