Why The Boeing 787 Is Becoming A Key Player In The Middle East

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has become a favorite among Middle Eastern airlines thanks to its strong mix of efficiency, range, and passenger comfort. The 787’s fuel-efficient engines and lightweight composite structure help to deliver significant cost savings while maintaining high performance in the region’s hot temperatures, which makes the aircraft especially attractive for airlines across the region looking to expand to new destinations without committing to the size of a widebody like the 777.

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the Middle East’s largest operators of the Boeing 787, their fleets, and the routes on which they deploy their aircraft. We will also use data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, to review the routes currently flown with the 787 by the region’s two largest operators of the aircraft.

The Region’s Largest Operators Of The Boeing 787

The latest data from ch-aviation shows that Qatar Airways is currently the Middle East’s largest operator of the Boeing 787, with a total of 56 in its fleet, made up of 32 787-8s and 24 787-9s. The carrier, based at Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), also has a further 61 787-9s and 75 787-10s on order.

The largest operators of the Boeing 787 across the Middle East are outlined in the table below:

Qatar Airways & The Boeing 787

Qatar Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 787 in November 2012, and has since gone on to become the largest operator of the aircraft in the Middle East. The oneworld carrier’s 787-8s are able to accommodate up to a maximum of 254 passengers in a two-class configuration – 22 in business class and 232 in economy class, while its larger 787-9s can carry up to 311 passengers – 30 in business class and 281 in economy class.

Qatar Airways’ busiest Boeing 787 routes in terms of the number of flights operated from its hub at Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH) in November 2025 are outlined in the table below:

Etihad Airways & The Boeing 787

Etihad Airways is currently the Middle East’s second-largest operator of the Boeing 787, and has built much of its modern long-haul strategy around the aircraft, making it a cornerstone of its fleet renewal program. Since introducing the type in the mid-2010s, Etihad Airways has come to rely on both the 787-9 and 787-10 for routes across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, and the aircraft’s strong fuel efficiency and flexible capacity have helped the airline to rebuild and streamline its network after the COVID-19 pandemic, while keeping operating costs under control.

Etihad Airways operates a variety of different cabin configurations onboard its fleet of Boeing 787s, with total passenger capacities ranging from 226 on its lowest-density 787-9s to 327 on its highest-density 787-10s, made up of 32 in business class and 295 in economy class. In a recent interview, Jeremy Pollock, Etihad Airways’ General Manager, told Simple Flying:

“The Boeing 777 aircraft and the 787 aircraft are going to undergo a retrofit program, which was announced last year by the CEO. I believe it’s a three billion dirham investment, which will start at some point in 2026. Therefore, our whole aircraft will have a refreshed product, which is to be announced in the next couple of months. Which is great in terms of keeping everything else.”

From its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), Etihad Airways deploys its fleet of 47 Boeing 787s to destinations across the world, including new routes to the likes of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The airline’s busiest 787 routes in November 2025 in terms of number of flights are listed in the table below:

Saudia & The Boeing 787

Saudia’s relationship with the Boeing 787 has become one of the defining features of its modern long-haul strategy. The airline introduced the aircraft into its fleet in the mid-2010s, using it to refresh its brand and product and expand its global reach. With both the 787-9 and 787-10, the Saudi Arabian flag carrier has been able to deploy the aircraft on key routes to Europe, Asia, and North America, matching capacity with demand while benefiting from its strong fuel efficiency.

For the airline’s passengers, the Boeing 787 has also brought a noticeable step forward in comfort. Saudia’s 787s feature quieter cabins, larger dimmable windows, and improved air quality, all of which help create a more pleasant experience on long flights. The airline has also used the aircraft to showcase its updated onboard service and new cabin designs.

Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia, told Simple Flying at the World Travel Market in London:

“We have a fixed order of 39 787s, split between -9s and 10s. We still have a lot of white spots on our map, and I think the 787 is an ideal aircraft for us. If you think of Europe, the USA, parts of Africa, and even in Asia, the 787 is our working horse of choice. We need the capacity. Next year we will get a plane per month. In 2027, we will get a plane per week. So, 2027 is the year when we expect a lot of deliveries to happen for us.”

Future Operators Of The Boeing 787

The list of the largest operators of the Boeing 787 in the Middle East is soon set to be shaken up, as carriers across the region continue to take deliveries from the US manufacturer. One new addition to the list will be Emirates, which has a total of 35 787s on order, made up of 20 787-8s and 15 787-10s. Although delivery dates have yet to be confirmed, the carrier, based at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to begin receiving its first 787s within the next year.

Another carrier that will soon significantly grow its fleet of Boeing 787s is newcomer Riyadh Air. The carrier, based at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH), only commenced operations in October 2025 with a flight to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), but the 787 forms a major part in its future fleet plans, alongside the Airbus A350-1000 and A321neo. Riyadh Air has a total of 39 787-9s on order, in addition to the one currently in active service, and hopes to deploy the aircraft on some of the more than 100 routes that it plans to operate by 2030.

About The Boeing 787

The Boeing 787 has become a cornerstone of modern long-haul travel since it first entered commercial service with All Nippon Airways in October 2011. Designed around fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, the aircraft introduced a largely composite airframe and next-generation engines that helped airlines cut fuel burn significantly compared to older widebody aircraft. For many carriers, this opened the door to long, thin routes that were previously uneconomical.

The Boeing 787-8 was the first variant to debut in 2011, followed by the larger 787-9, which entered service with Air New Zealand in August 2014. The stretched 787-10 completed the trio, joining Singapore Airlines in March 2018. Each version offered improved economics and range, giving airlines flexibility to tailor capacity to different markets and operate some of the longest non-stop routes in the world.

Inside the cabin, the Boeing 787 is known for its passenger-friendly features. Larger windows, a lower cabin altitude, and higher humidity levels all contribute to a noticeably more comfortable experience on long sectors. The quieter interior, thanks in part to the aircraft’s advanced engines and aerodynamic design, has also become a standout feature for passengers.

Today, the Boeing 787 family remains central to many airlines’ long-haul strategies, across the Middle East and beyond. The aircraft’s combination of efficiency, range, and passenger appeal continues to reshape global airline networks, enabling more non-stop links between cities and providing a modern, comfortable product across a wide range of routes.